Housing vouchers and other rental assistance programs are a lifeline for families struggling to pay their rent. In 2020, Maryland passed the Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act, which added Source of Income to the list of protected classes in Maryland. The HOME Act was intended to ensure that landlords do not discriminate against tenants who use these rental assistance programs.

Some landlords are exploiting a loophole to the HOME Act and use credit history or income information to refuse to rent to voucher holders. Applying credit and income-based screens to families participating in housing assistance programs is neither relevant nor appropriate. When a tenant is admitted to a voucher or income assistance program, the agency works with them to verify their income and determine how much rent they can afford to pay. The landlord can rely on that assessment – and the knowledge that the agency will pay the difference between what the tenant can pay and full monthly rent and automatically modify their portion if the tenant’s income changes. It is duplicative and unnecessary – and potentially discriminatory – for the landlord to also look at income or credit when determining eligibility for an applicant.

Support SB335/HB315, which would prohibit the use of credit scores or income checks for voucher holders, today!

Because the Public Housing Authority (PHA) or voucher administrator are primarily responsible for the monthly rent, income or credit checks are not relevant. The agency is cosigning the lease and will be responsible if the renter’s income changes. Studies of voucher households in New York City show that voucher holders have much lower eviction rates than surrounding residents.

When the legislature passed the HOME Act, the intent was to prohibit source of income discrimination. SB335/HB315 closes loopholes and ensure that voucher holders are able to find safe, stable housing.

At the House and Senate hearings, the committee heard about families using vouchers who struggle to find housing. They also heard from the corporate landlords who made clear they don’t want voucher holders in their apartments and want to keep using credit scores as a way to deny housing to these families. Your legislator needs to hear from you about the importance of this bill.

Support SB335/HB315 today!

Thank you for your voice, emails, and social media shares. YOUR actions help us to counter the corporate housing lobby.

If you’ve experienced housing discrimination in Maryland, go here for help!