Maryland Renters Advance Housing Justice in 2026 But Structural Changes Fail in the Maryland Senate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TUESDAY, APRIL 14 For more information, please contactRianna Eckel: rianna@adv…
housing justice
stable homes. strong communities.
Ensuring that individuals and families are housed makes our communities safer and stronger.
Maryland renters, community groups, and advocates led successful legislative campaigns in 2026 that will create more stable homes and stronger communities, but the Maryland Senate failed to pass “Good Cause Eviction” legislation. Read about key bills below and learn more in this press release.
Fair Chance in Housing Act
As the federal government abandons its role in enforcing civil rights, the Fair Chance in Housing Act (Sen. Henson and Del. Lewis) will place guardrails on when and how corporate landlords can deny someone housing based on long-past criminal records. Everyone deserves a fair chance at accessing housing, and SB 937/HB 1073 will ensure that residents who have served their time will not be automatically denied housing. Advocates remain concerned about how this law will be enforced and hope to work closely with the Maryland Attorney General.
Funding to prevent the eviction of 2,500 families with children through the Community Schools Rental Assistance Program
Created in 2024 by legislation sponsored by Sen. Shelly Hettleman and Del. Vaughn Stewart, the Community Schools Rental Assistance Program (CSRAP) helps stop the evictions of families whose children are enrolled in community schools. In 2026, the General Assembly more than doubled (from $5 million to $11 million) the Governor’s budget for CSRAP, which will keep nearly 2,500 families with children from facing eviction and possible homelessness in the coming year.
Strengthen Maryland’s fair housing law
SB 335/HB 315 (Sen. Love and Del. Stewart) will strengthen Maryland’s fair housing law. This legislation will stop landlords from using arbitrary income and credit tests that have no relationship to a voucher-holding renter’s ability to pay the rent.
Oppose bills that would have hurt Maryland’s renting families
Renters United Maryland also succeeded in opposing the following bills:
HB 59 and HB 847 would have stripped Maryland residents of the right to a fair hearing before an eviction whenever a property owner – often falsely – accused them of squatting.
SB 589/HB 433 would have given landlords a special exemption from debt collector licensing laws. Debt collectors and landlords need more oversight, not less.
Good Cause Eviction legislation fails to pass the Senate
Unfortunately, while Good Cause Eviction legislation (SB 462 / HB 774) once again passed the House, the Senate refused to act for the second time in three years. This bill would have allowed counties to pass laws that require corporate landlords to state the reason for terminating a renting family’s tenancy. Eight states and over 20 localities already have Good Cause. Maryland is one of only five states that does not allow local jurisdictions to pass Good Cause. Good Cause would have supported housing stability and affordability for Maryland families in the midst of economic chaos and an unaffordable market. At least 48 local elected officials supported the bill without any amendment that would have forced localities to effectively choose between good cause and strong rent stabilization. Yet, corporate landlord lobbyists sold Maryland Senate leaders on the false narrative that Good Cause would have a negative impact on housing development – even though this is demonstrably false. RUM extends our sincere appreciation to the bill sponsors, Del. Jheanelle Wilkins and Senator Anthony Muse, for their steadfast leadership.
In the news
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RENTERS UNITED MARYLAND
Renters United Maryland is a coalition of advocates for renters and for safe, affordable rental housing. Our member organizations include tenant organizers, legal services providers, community-based organizations, and advocacy groups working together to make stable housing a reality through legislative advocacy. We are leading the charge against housing insecurity.