On February 15, 2017 Fort Howard Community Association posted Unlimited Section 8 Housing in Fort Howard, Maryland
On March 17, 2017 the House of Delegates in Annapolis passed HB172 entitle the Home Act of 2017 (88 yeas to 53 nays). Delegates Grammer, Long, and Metzgar unanimously opposed the bill.
The policy notes state, “The bill prohibits taking the following actions because of a person’s source of income: (1) refusing to sell or rent a dwelling after the making of a bona fide offer; “
“Under the bill, a “source of income” is …any government …low -income housing assistance certificates and vouchers.“
20-701.1 (3)B of the house bill 172 states “HOUSE BILL 172 9(B)THE OWNER OF AN APARTMENT COMPLEX SHALL (MUST) RENT OR MAKE AVAILABLE FOR RENT 15% OF THE UNITS IN THE APARTMENT COMPLEX, ROUNDED DOWN TO THE NEAREST WHOLE NUMBER, TO PERSONS WHO RECEIVE HOUSING ASSISTANCE VOUCHERS.”
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If the Home Act of 2017 is passed in the senate, Fort Howard will become subject to Unlimited Section 8 Housing, period.
Senate crossbill SB728 SYNOPSIS: “ the Act seeks … additional opportunities for tenants utilizing public subsidies to live in neighborhoods other than the neighborhoods in which those individuals are currently … providing for fair housing regardless of source of income;”
No Baltimore County legislative body or elected official can override by proclamation or legislation Maryland State law, be it county council, councilman, or county executive.
Although six of the seven councilman, including Councilman Todd Crandell, voted against the Baltimore County version of the bill last year, if the Maryland General Assembly Home Act of 2017 is passed, little alternatives will be available.
At the Fort Howard VA property the current zoning permits by right one house per acre at the VA property. The existing Fort Howard community housing density in-situ is averaged two houses per acre.
If the Home Act of 2017 is passed Fort Howard Development, LLC will not have the legal right to refuse section 8 housing vouchers; doing so will legally constitute housing discrimination.
SB728 first reading was March 21, 2017. Please advise your senators to oppose or support SB728.
Baltimore County Senators Kelley and Nathan-Pulliam are co-sponsors of SB728.
Community developer corporation Dundalk Renaissance Corporation is identified an advocate for section 8 redistribution/expansion being listed on the Baltimore County HOME act coalition of the community organizing outfit Bridge Maryland.
As mentioned in a previous 2017 FHCA post titled East Count Times Editorial, North Point Peninsula Association Vice President Tim Stadler stated in the Dundalk Eagle his support of construction of three high rise apartment buildings and 450 single homes at the VA property in Fort Howard.
Thank you for your civic participation in deciding if Fort Howard will be subjected to Unlimited Section 8 Housing.
Time is of the essence.
Kathleen Labuda
Secretary/Treasurer
FHCA
410-477-2040
