Maryland’s Attorney General recently announced a series of fair housing enforcement actions across the state, securing several major settlements with housing providers. These efforts are part of an increased push to address discriminatory housing practices, particularly those related to income source discrimination and blanket criminal background screening policies. The state’s Civil Rights Division is focusing on ensuring that landlords comply with Maryland’s fair housing laws, including the 2020 HOME Act.
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Source of Income Now Protected by State Law
Maryland’s HOME Act, passed in 2020, made it illegal for landlords to reject tenants based solely on their source of income. This includes housing vouchers such as Section 8 and other government aid. Unlike federal law, Maryland explicitly protects “source of income” as a class, meaning housing providers must consider vouchers and subsidies as legitimate forms of rent payment.
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Discrimination Through Income Standards
In one notable case, a housing provider implemented a rent policy that resulted in voucher holders facing higher rent increases than other tenants. The Maryland Civil Rights Division found this to be a violation of state fair housing laws. The landlord was required to reimburse affected tenants, pay civil penalties and damages, and retrain its staff on fair housing compliance. The landlord must also provide the state with regular reports to ensure continued adherence…