Maryland Housing Laws Address Housing Shortage, Establish Renter Protections

An ambitious housing package establishes a Renters Bill of Rights and removes barriers to increased housing production.

1 minute read

April 29, 2024, 7:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Aerial view of Annapolis, Maryland with state capitol dome in foreground.

tamas / Adobe Stock

Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed several bills that aim to make housing more affordable and address concentrated poverty, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

One piece of legislation, the Housing Expansion and Affordability Act, “incentivizes the construction of new housing by removing barriers to development that have contributed to the current supply shortage,” modernizes land use law, and streamlines the approval process for transit-oriented development (TOD).

Another law supports the renovation of vacant homes and targets economic development investment in underserved communities. The Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act creates a Tenants Bill of Rights, limits security deposits, and “creates new pathways to homeownership by providing tenants the opportunity to purchase their homes.”

Thursday, April 25, 2024 in Office of Governor Wes Moore

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

7 hours ago - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City