* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Dorsey
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Request for State Action - Prohibiting Source of Income Discrimination in Housing
For the purpose of requesting that the Maryland General Assembly add “source of income” to Maryland’s fair housing law and thus prohibit source of income discrimination in housing.
body
Whereas, the Baltimore City Council recognizes that equality, fairness, and opportunity for Maryland residents often require governmental action and that security, mobility, and economic opportunity are enhanced by the location of a person’s home; and
Whereas, discrimination in housing based on a person’s source of income primarily affects people that the Baltimore City Council has determined need legal protection from discrimination, such as families with children, people of color, and people with disabilities; and
Whereas, 13 states, including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, as well as many Maryland localities, such as Montgomery County, Frederick County, Frederick City, Howard County, and Annapolis City, have laws prohibiting discrimination based on a person’s source of income; and
Whereas, protecting tenants from discrimination based on source of income can reduce the amount of concentrated poverty experienced by Maryland residents by providing additional housing opportunities for tenants utilizing public subsidies to live in neighborhoods other than those in which poverty is concentrated.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That the Baltimore City Council requests that the Maryland General Assembly add “source of income” to Maryland’s fair housing law and thus prohibit source of income discrimination in housing.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Baltimore City Delegation to the 2019 Maryland General Assembly, the Baltimore City Director of Government Relations, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the Baltimore City Council.