I’m excited to share an important win for Maryland’s families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Last week, the Maryland Supreme Court issued a decision that affirms the protections of the Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) Act, which I introduced to ensure that people using housing vouchers are not discriminated against.

For too long, landlords across the state have used these unfair income policies to exclude nearly 80% of voucher holders, even though the government pays the majority of their rent. This harmful practice left many low-income Marylanders, particularly families with children, seniors, and people with disabilities, unable to find affordable housing, even though the government pays part of their rent directly to the landlord.

Last week’s ruling ensures that these discriminatory practices will no longer be tolerated. The Court ruled that minimum income policies that disproportionately hurt voucher holders are illegal — affirming that everyone in Maryland deserves equal access to housing, regardless of the source of their income.

This decision is a direct result of the HOME Act — a law I introduced in the legislature in 2020 to protect the rights of renters who need help affording a roof over their heads. Even with this ruling, our work continues. There are still too many barriers, and many families continue to struggle to find affordable housing.

Thank you for your continued support.

My best,

(She, Her, Hers)