BRIDGE Maryland Inc. - Housing Work Group

BRIDGE Maryland (BMI) believes that everyone deserves safe and affordable housing and continues to work towards achieving this goal. This is a long-term effort that takes commitment because results are slow to achieve.

Goals for 2021 are:

BUILD THE TASK FORCE:
New energy is needed to continue working on housing justice with more BMI members involved and perhaps new leadership of the task force. Email us at bridgemdbc@gmail.com if you are interested!

FOLLOW UP WORK FROM GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2021 SESSION:
Only two of the housing bills in the 2021 Housing Justice Package of the Renters United Maryland that BMI supported passed the Legislature.
HB0018 - Landlord and Tenant - Residential Tenants - Access to Counsel
Passed both Houses awaiting Governor’s signature

HB 0090 - State and Local Housing Programs - Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
Passed both Houses awaiting Governor’s signature

The others did not make it out of committee in the Senate after the first reading. Therefore, we must continue to focus on these same issues for the next legislative session.

We continue to advocate for financial support for renters and landlords now that the eviction moratorium has ended. Many never received the promised assistance. We must continue to advocate for support for those who are at risk.

IN BALTIMORE COUNTY:
Monitor legislation proposed by Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski on 4/1/2021 to create the County's first dedicated Department of Housing and Community Development to see that it passes. After that, we need to establish a relationship with Department leadership.

Living conditions and tenants’ rights in subsidized housing units continue to be of prime concern.

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH HOUSING ADVOCATES/ORGANIZATIONS:
We must work on building relationships with others who work on housing justice issues. These include the Public Justice Center, Renters United Maryland, Communities United, Jews United for Justice, United Workers and others.

Co-chairs: Barbara Waters and Nancy Newman