Residents in east Baltimore County, bewildered by the fact that their substandard, expiring-use apartment complex has passed so many inspections, organize to put their rents in escrow until improvements are made.
"A group of residents at the embattled Kingsley Park housing complex in eastern Baltimore County met yesterday to form a tenant association while officials and the corporate landlord wrestle over the future of the property." Residents, who have faced everything from a collapsing roof to roaches in baby cribs, plan to "place rent payments in escrow to demand quicker and better repairs on their World War II-era apartments....A majority of the apartments have no air conditioning or window screens and get extremely hot in summer. During the winter, residents said they turn on their ovens for warmth because of malfunctioning heating systems." By modest estimates, Landex, the corporate landlord "receives about $2.3 million annually through subsidized housing."
Thanks to Connie Chung
FULL STORY: Residents unite for better living conditions

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

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
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The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
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DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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