Latest news with #HabitatAmerica
CBS News
13-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Maryland Gov. Moore to announce first community awarded through new UPLIFT program
Maryland Governor Wes Moore will announce the first community awarded through the UPLIFT program, an initiative with the goal of providing wealth-building homeownership opportunities in historically redlined communities. Moore is expected to tour the project's construction site prior to the conference. What is the UPLIFT program? The UPLIFT program aims to increase homeownership in disinvested neighborhoods, increase employment opportunities for Maryland workers and businesses from historically disadvantaged demographic groups, and revitalize disinvested neighborhoods. Maryland settles with 3 companies accused of housing discrimination In May, Maryland settled with three companies accused of housing discrimination. The state said Maryland Management Company Inc. refused to cooperate with emergency rental assistance programs, according to the Maryland Attorney General's Office. The company was ordered to pay $90,000 to establish a fund for people potentially evicted or denied housing because of the practice. The state won a second settlement with a Frederick apartment complex where tenants using housing vouchers faced higher rent increases than other tenants. An investigation found that Habitat America, LLC and The Commons of Avalon TH, LLLP violated state fair housing laws. The companies agreed to reimburse the impacted households for excess rent, pay up to $2,500 per household in additional damages, and pay $105,000 in civil penalties. Mayor Scott introduces bill to address housing inequality In May, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott announced a bill to address the lack of housing availability in the city. The bill would expand where multi-family, low-density homes could be built in the city. Scott said the measure aims to tackle "exclusionary" zoning laws that attempt to use racial discrimination to prevent people from living in certain neighborhoods.
CBS News
21-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Maryland settles with three companies accused of housing discrimination
Maryland has settled with three companies accused of housing discrimination, according to Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown. The settlements target discrimination against voucher holders and people with criminal records, which Brown said affects thousands of Maryland residents. "Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to lease an apartment, regardless of whether they have a criminal record or use a voucher to help pay their rent," Brown said. "Each of these cases shows our Office's dedication to protecting Marylanders' housing rights, regardless of the priorities of the federal government." Maryland Management Company settlement One settlement involved Maryland Management Company, Inc., which refused to cooperate with emergency rental assistance programs, according to the AG. Under the settlement agreement, the company will pay $90,000 to establish a fund for people potentially evicted or denied housing because of this practice. The company will also pay a $90,000 civil penalty, create new policies ensuring acceptance of all legal forms of income, and provide fair housing training to staff. Habitat America case A second settlement addresses a Frederick apartment complex where tenants using housing vouchers faced higher rent increases than other tenants. The investigation, conducted jointly with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, found that Habitat America, LLC and The Commons of Avalon TH, LLLP violated state fair housing laws through this practice. The companies agreed to reimburse affected households for excess rent, pay up to $2,500 per household in additional damages, and pay $105,000 in civil penalties. They must also update policies, train staff on fair housing laws, and provide regular reports on rental practices. American Management screening policy The third settlement addresses American Management II, LLC's discriminatory tenant screening practices. The AG said the company's rental applications had excluded people with felony convictions, a policy the Civil Rights Division said disproportionately impacts communities of color. As part of the settlement, American Management agreed to adopt individualized screening policies rather than blanket bans, waive application fees for people with felony convictions for two years, and pay $25,000 in civil penalties. Recent pushes to tackle housing disparities Brown said the practices by the three companies disproportionately impacted communities of color. Baltimore City Mayor Scott has recently said he is working to tackle racial disparities in housing availability. Earlier this month, Scott announced the Housing Options and Opportunity Act, which he said would tackle "exclusionary zoning" in the city. The measure, if passed, would create a new definition in the zoning code for multi-family, low-density homes, thus expanding existing zoning laws.
