* 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 Burnett
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Investigational Hearing - Emergency Rental Assistance Program
For the purpose of inviting representatives from the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office, the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City, the Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success, and other interested parties to brief the City Council on the use of Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds in Baltimore City, including a conversation on declination of ERAP funds by management companies and private landlords in Baltimore City.
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Whereas, eviction is associated with negative long-term financial, physical, and mental health consequences, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and death by suicide.
Whereas, ERAP funds were authorized under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and expanded under the American Rescue Plan Act to aid individuals facing eviction due to failure to remit payment.
Whereas, Baltimore city was appropriated over $40 million in ERAP funding to assist residents facing eviction due to failure to remit payment.
Whereas, declination of ERAP funds by management companies and private landlords in Baltimore City has been reported by local media and addressed within the Maryland Courts.
Whereas, the City Council recognizes the long-term financial, physical, and mental health consequences of eviction and would like to better understand opportunities to prevent eviction due to failure to remit payment in Baltimore City, including instances of declination of ERAP funds by management companies and private landlords.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, That the City Council invites representatives from the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office, the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City, the Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success, and other interested parties to brief the City Council on the use of ERAP funds in Baltimore City, including a conversation on declination of ERAP funds by management companies and private landlords in Baltimore City.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Chief Deputy of the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office, the Administrative Judge for the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City, the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.