Advocates, Md. reach affordable rental agreement

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Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development has reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of House and Urban Development to build 1,500 affordable housing units in wealthier communities in the Baltimore metro area.

The agreement settles a complaint lodged against the state in 2011 by the Baltimore Regional Housing Campaign, a coalition including the ACLU of Maryland, the Citizens Planning & Housing Association and Innovative Housing Institute. The complaint was filed following a report by the coalition that found the state policy directed low-income housing to high-poverty black neighborhoods and away from wealthier white communities.

“There is a growing recognition around the country that (Low Income Housing Tax Credits) and other affordable housing programs need to be more balanced in their locations, so that low-income families with children also have choices outside of low-income areas,” Philip Tegeler, executive director of Poverty and Race Research Action Council, one a member of the Baltimore Regional Housing Campaign, said in a statement. “Maryland is joining a number of other states that are taking affirmative steps to promote fair housing.”

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Tags: affordable housing, u.s. department of housing and urban development