Buoyed by New Research and Support from Housing Secretary Jake Day, Advocates Call for Legislation Allowing Local Jurisdictions to Pass Laws Protecting Renters from Unjust Evictions

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland –   Today, Progressive Maryland, the Renters United Maryland (RUM) coalition, and key allies gathered at Lawyers Mall in Annapolis to call on state lawmakers to pass enabling legislation for Good Cause Eviction laws and other priority legislation. The Good Cause Eviction bill would allow local jurisdictions to require landlords to provide valid reasons for evictions, preventing unjust removals and strengthening housing stability for Maryland renters. The livestream of the event may be found on Progressive Maryland’s Facebook page.

As Maryland faces a budget deficit, advocates highlighted that passing this legislation offers a cost-free way to prevent homelessness, reduce reliance on state-funded support programs, and hold corporate landlords accountable. Maryland is currently one of only five states that explicitly prohibits counties from passing Good Cause Eviction laws.

Good Cause Eviction legislation passed the House of Delegates in 2024 but not the Senate.  Senator C. Anthony Muse, the Senate sponsor of the bill, commented: “It is imperative that we prioritize keeping individuals in their homes and maintaining the fabric of our neighborhoods, while also safeguarding them against discrimination and unjust eviction. The Good Cause eviction legislation addresses these critical issues. This is the year, we must seize the opportunity and pass this essential bill!” 

Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins, the House sponsor of the bill emphasized the urgency and importance of passing Good Cause Eviction legislation: “We are on the cusp of finally passing Good Cause Eviction. I am the proud sponsor of this legislation, and this will be the eighth year that we are introducing this bill. We’re really excited that last session the bill passed the House, and now it’s time for the Senate to act. Housing is a matter of life or death—it is stability, it is security, it is access to resources, access to healthcare, access to food—and we have to make sure that it’s part of our agenda to protect our community under this administration.”

Del. Jheanelle Wilkins speaking at the RUM Press Conference.  

Jeremy Schwartz, PhD, Professor and Economics Department Chair at Loyola University Maryland, discussed new research-backed evidence for the legislation’s benefits endorsed by 44+ economists and experts: “Existing research shows that Good Cause Eviction legislation helps keep families in their homes by lowering the number of evictions. Our study of two instances where Good Cause legislation was passed—California and Oregon; and New Hampshire—does not show a statistically significant drop in housing permits after Good Cause was enacted. Legislators have the opportunity to keep more residents in their homes and create more stable communities without reducing housing supply.”

"All Marylanders deserve a safe, dignified place to lay their head at night -- and they deserve to know that it won't be taken from them without good cause," said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day. "We will continue to prioritize renter rights and protections because we know that decreasing evictions and keeping tenants in their homes supports housing stability, reduces homelessness, and improves communities."

A Progressive Maryland Member, Chris Madden, underscored the uncertainty that tenants face. He said, “I’m constantly worried about how long I’ll be able to stay in my apartment… That uncertainty hangs over me, and it’s something that all renters in Maryland face—the fear that at any moment, we could be evicted from the home we love… This uncertainty not only affects our peace of mind, but it also puts renters in a difficult position where they may avoid reporting unsafe living conditions or issues in their apartments, for fear of retaliation or eviction.”

The press conference also included emotional testimony from CASA member Iliana Fabiola Gonzalez, who shared her personal experience with eviction: “In 2023, my husband, our two beautiful children, and I moved into our apartment, filled with hope and excitement for a fresh start. From the first day, we encountered problem after problem—rodent and insect infestations, plumbing issues, leaks, and more. After nearly a year of advocating for our fundamental rights as tenants, management has moved forward with not renewing my lease and others within the tenant union—all of us in good standing.” This Prince George’s County resident added, “For too long, tenants across Maryland have demanded respect, dignity, and safety. We will not tolerate unjust evictions anymore.”

The systemic impacts of unjust evictions were highlighted by David Wheaton of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, who discussed how these practices disproportionately affect communities of color: “The data is clear - Black households have the highest eviction removal count in Maryland. Furthermore, Maryland neighborhoods with a higher percentage of Black renters also face higher rates of evictions, suggesting the areas where Black renters live are being hit hardest by this eviction crisis. That is why we are calling for the Maryland General Assembly to pass good cause eviction protections to limit discriminatory eviction practices. Good cause protections have been proven to help lower eviction filings and keep more people in their homes. ”

RUM members and allies also called on the General Assembly to pass RUM’s other two priorities: the Tenant Possessions Recovery Act and level funding for critical eviction prevention programs. Delegate Jennifer Terrasa called for a more humane approach to eviction practices and passage of the Tenant Possessions Recovery Act: “On the worst day of a family’s life, where they are about to become homeless, the least we can do is make sure they have a reasonable chance to hold on to their medications, family photos, social security cards, and other possessions. We can join 46 other states and inject just a small dose of humanity into an inhumane process.”

Senator Shelly Hettleman highlighted the success of the Access to Counsel in Evictions (ACE) program and its connection to the broader fight for housing justice: “Over 3,000 evictions were prevented because of the ACE program, benefitting over 14,000 individuals. By providing legal services to tenants who were rarely represented in court—while about 96% of landlords were—we leveled the playing field. It is essential that we find a permanent funding source for the ACE program, as its primary funding source is set to expire, and it remains an incredible investment, saving the state the downstream costs of evictions.”

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Renters United Maryland is a statewide coalition of renters, organizers, community members, and advocates leading the fight for safe, fair, affordable rental housing for all Marylanders. Our members include: CASA, Progressive Maryland, Public Justice Center, Jews United for Justice, Economic Action Maryland, NAACP of Maryland, Maryland Legal Aid, Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility, Santoni, Vocci & Ortega, Md. Center on Economic Policy, Community Development Network of Maryland, Pro Bono Resource Center, Community Legal Services, CASH Campaign, SEIU 1199, Homeless Persons Representation Project, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Disability Rights MD, Baltimore Renters United, Health Care for the Homeless, MD Catholic Charities,  Advance Maryland, Shore Legal, EveryDay Canvassing.