by Zafar Shah

Sandra is still homeless.¹  She had to put her daughter in a friend’s care and live in her car. Nearly a year ago, she reached out to Maryland Legal Aid after her lease in Easton wasn’t renewed. The property manager told her she was being “uncooperative or argumentative,” but legally, no reason was required. Maryland is a “no cause” state, meaning landlords can refuse to renew a lease without justification. For Sandra and her daughter, that meant exile from their home and community.

After months of searching, Sandra kept hitting dead ends. Properties that accepted Section 8 vouchers were controlled by the same management that wanted her out. Other landlords required an income three times the rent. Maryland Legal Aid helped extend her housing voucher, but even in nearby counties, she couldn’t find a place. Her life unraveled. With no legal protection, we could only advise her to call the 988 Suicide and Crisis hotline.

Sandra’s story is not unique. For over 15 years, renters and advocates have pushed for Good Cause Eviction protections, which would require landlords to provide a valid reason—such as lease violations or plans to sell the property—before forcing a tenant out. In 2024, the Maryland House passed a version allowing local governments to adopt their own protections, but the bill stalled in the Senate. A promised workgroup never materialized, and renters like Sandra remain vulnerable.

Maryland policymakers are aware of the crisis. Since 2020, the General Assembly has passed over 20 renter protection bills, from banning income discrimination to requiring legal representation in eviction cases. But these measures have been incremental. No legislation has fundamentally changed the eviction process to prevent unjust displacements. Meanwhile, Governor Wes Moore has made housing a priority, citing Maryland’s 96,000-unit housing shortage. But one question looms over this debate: does protecting renters come at the cost of building more housing?

Some argue that strengthening renter protections will discourage investment in Maryland’s housing market, slowing new development. But the reality is that Good Cause Eviction is not a barrier to housing growth—it is a tool that ensures stability for renters while enabling a healthier rental market. A more secure rental environment helps communities thrive, reducing displacement and fostering long-term tenancies that benefit both landlords and tenants. Policies that provide renters with security do not prevent housing construction; they create a more predictable, stable market that encourages responsible development.

Evidence from other cities shows that balancing tenant protections with pro-housing policies leads to stronger, more resilient housing markets. While increasing supply is essential, simply building more units does not guarantee affordability or prevent displacement. In cities that have prioritized rapid development without protections, lower-income renters have been pushed out, eroding the very communities that new housing was meant to serve.

Yet in Maryland, opposition to Good Cause Eviction is built on the premise that any form of renter protection will slow housing growth. This argument is misleading. Landlords and developers have already adapted to new regulations like source-of-income protections and right-to-counsel laws without abandoning the market. Ensuring basic stability for renters is not an extreme policy—it is a necessary step toward solving the housing crisis in a way that works for all stakeholders.

This year, Senate workgroup discussions on Good Cause Eviction have leaned toward a compromise: granting renters lease renewal protections but eliminating hard-fought local rent stabilization ordinances in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. In other words, tenants could either have lease security or rent stability—but not both.

This false choice is unacceptable. Renters cannot afford to wait years for the trickle-down benefits of a housing surplus while facing immediate threats of eviction. Allowing local governments to determine the level of renter protections that suit their communities is the only fair solution. Maryland lawmakers face a simple decision: will they protect families like Sandra’s, or will they continue prioritizing landlord profits over housing stability?

For thousands of Marylanders on the brink of homelessness, the answer cannot wait another year.

¹Sandra is a pseudonym of a Maryland Legal Aid client who allowed us to share her story.

 

Zafar Shah is the Advocacy Director for the Human Right to Housing at Maryland Legal Aid.

We are in uncharted economic waters. From massive layoffs and spending cuts in Washington to looming tax increases in Annapolis, Maryland entrepreneurs face a range of risks to their businesses. The decisions we make in Annapolis are that much more important, including and especially on policy issues that impact our competitiveness.

There is a balance that needs to be struck across policy and innovation, as always. During its current legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly has an opportunity to do just that. One year ago, the legislature passed the Maryland Online Data Privacy Act, a well-intentioned law that unfortunately has had many unintended consequences for businesses and nonprofits of all sizes across our state. Thankfully, Delegate Andrea Harrison has put forward a critically important bill this session – HB 1365 – that would provide simple, clear adjustments to the bill that maintain its ability to protect consumer data while easing the burden on small businesses.

Maryland can be an economic leader by encouraging innovative products and services and creating pathways to entrepreneurial success – not imposing stricter data privacy standards than even California or Europe.

From scrappy entrepreneurs working through the night to deliver innovative solutions for Marylanders and the world, to iconic research institutions and companies advancing groundbreaking new technologies – we owe it to Maryland startups to keep their regulatory path as clear as possible.

Without a comprehensive federal privacy law on the books, states have taken the lead over the past few years. We appreciate the intention, and wholly support the goals that Maryland policymakers have set out to achieve. But for today’s business owners, especially small shops and startups, it’s critical that we avoid setting dramatically different or even competing standards than our neighbors. Beyond preserving the ability for small businesses to leverage digital marketing and other online tools, Delegate Harrison’s legislation, HB1365, aligns Maryland’s privacy law with other states along the East Coast that have passed their own laws – including Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. Regional compatibility matters for small businesses.

At the core of the issue is keeping Maryland’s data privacy framework workable for small businesses, nonprofits, life sciences and tech innovators, and entrepreneurs who have increasingly turned to digital marketing and custom online experiences in recent years to reach new and existing consumers. HB1365 provides the clarifications necessary to preserve those critical functions.

The Maryland General Assembly can move this crucial legislation forward confident they are empowering our small businesses at a time they sorely need it. Passing HB1365 will represent a step in the right direction during turbulent times. We have the opportunity to preserve robust data privacy protections for Maryland’s consumers, while at the same time supporting small businesses and keeping the door open for innovation. Let’s take it.

 

Kelly Schulz is CEO of the Maryland Tech Council, the largest technology and trade association in the state. She previously served as Maryland Secretary of Commerce and Maryland Secretary of Labor.

State of Southwest Baltimore: Six Drivers of Health

Part Six of the State of Southwest Baltimore Series will focus on the final social driver of health – community. Community is defined as the social and physical environments where people live, including the quality of relationships and networks, neighborhood safety, and access to community resources. Isolation, lack of social support, and residence in unsafe or resource-poor neighborhoods can increase stress and lead to adverse health outcomes.

Approximately 18.5% of Baltimore City’s population lives in poverty, with about 1,600 men, women, and children experiencing homeless each day. In 2023, Baltimore City also saw 1,043 drug and alcohol-related deaths, 88% of which were Fentanyl related, and over 210 gun-related homicides.

Catholic Charities sponsors Safe Streets, a public health initiative aimed at reducing shootings and homicides in targeted areas of Baltimore City. Safe Streets mediated 768 conflicts that had potential to result in a shooting, and in the first half of 2024, the city saw a 36% decline in the number of homicides compared to the prior year. Additionally, tangential to the Safe Streets program, Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital employs hospital responders who work with victims of violence in the Emergency Department and connect them to necessary resources.

Having a stable and physical environment, whether that be a rental apartment or house, is essential in driving a sense of community and belonging. In 2023, Catholic Charities assisted 291 individuals and families obtain permanent housing, helped prevent 187 individuals and families from eviction, and provided case management services to more than 1,800 individuals.

Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital recently partnered with Blue Water Baltimore and Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources to create a bio-retention garden and rain garden, as well as planting several native trees. These gardens improve stormwater management practices, reduce destructive run-off, preserve the environment, and improve water quality in our communities. Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital also provided over $50 million in community benefits in FY 2023.

My Brother’s Keeper continues to address substance abuse by providing support services for at-risk youth and linkages to substance abuse counseling.

St. Joseph’s Monastery provides a space for the community to gather and worship together, thus improving the quality of relationships and networks within the community. These organizations, and many others, continue to work towards fostering a safer and more supportive community environment for Southwest Baltimore. Studies regularly show the correlation between faith and hope. A life that includes faith – regardless of one’s religion – offers hope for their future, resiliency to hardship and relationships that confront loneliness.

 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines social drivers of health, also known as the social determinants of health, as the “conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.”

The State of Southwest Baltimore Series aims to examine the presence of the six social drivers of health in Southwest Baltimore and how local community organizations are helping create healthier communities.

Part Five of the State of Southwest Baltimore Series will focus on a powerful social driver of health – education. This social driver of health relates to both the level of education attainment and the quality of said education. Increased education is linked to better health literacy and healthier lifestyle choices, as well as increased economic opportunities.

In Baltimore City, 34.8% of the population has a Bachelor’s Degree or higher and nearly 30% of the population only has a High School Diploma or equivalent. In 2023, 40% of Baltimore City high schools did not have any students score proficient in math on the main state-wide exam.

Baltimore City and Catholic Charities partner together to provide the Head Start program, which provides early childhood and family development services for low-income children and families.

Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital offers tuition reimbursement to their employees looking to further their career, as well as dedicated career advisors to help associates navigate their career path. Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital also works with multiple Southwest Baltimore Title I public schools and provides them with food, clothing, ancillary resources that support the school, and other necessities.

All Mount Saint Joseph High School Freshman are required to complete a day of service at Our Daily Bread, with Juniors and Seniors of Mount Saint Joseph High School serving their community for a semester at My Brother’s Keeper.

 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines social drivers of health, also known as the social determinants of health, as the “conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.”

The State of Southwest Baltimore Series aims to examine the presence of the six social drivers of health in Southwest Baltimore and how local community organizations are helping create healthier communities.

Part Four of the State of Southwest Baltimore Series will focus on another social driver of health – economic stability.Economic Stability is the ability to consistently meet basic financial needs, which includes having stable employment and sufficient income for baseline needs. Economic insecurity often leads to stress and declined mental health conditions, as well as limited access to health-promoting resources, contributing to poorer health outcomes.

Baltimore’s unemployment rate continues to decrease from 8.5% in 2020 to only 2.9% in 2023. The City of Baltimore is also currently experiencing unprecedented levels of economic growth, with its GDP increasing 5.9% between 2021 and 2022. The city’s economy is even growing faster than the U.S. economy and the Maryland economy, which are growing at by 1.9% and 1.6%, respectively.

Catholic Charities provides workforce development training and employment services to those who are un-and under-employed. In 2023, Catholic Charities’ programs delivered workforce development training to 322 individuals, with 224 finding employment thereafter. The Mayor’s Office of Employment Development ‘Job Hub’ located inside My Brother’s Keeper helps connect job seekers to employment on the ground in Irvington.

As a member of the Southwest Workforce Roundtable, Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital is a frequent participant at community job fairs and supports local youth-serving entrepreneurial projects.

 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines social drivers of health, also known as the social determinants of health, as the “conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.”

The State of Southwest Baltimore Series aims to examine the presence of the six social drivers of health in Southwest Baltimore and how local community organizations are helping create healthier communities.

Part Three of the State of Southwest Baltimore Series will focus on an imperative social driver of health – access to healthcare. Healthcare Access is the ability to obtain appropriate, timely, affordable, and convenient healthcare services such as prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases and illnesses. The ability to obtain healthcare is vital in securing the timely treatment of illnesses, management of chronic conditions, and allows for preventative services.

Inaccessible healthcare can lead to delayed diagnoses, untreated conditions, and poorer health outcomes. In 2021, there was only one primary care physician per 860 people in Baltimore City and more than 3,800 hospital stays (per 100,000 people enrolled in Medicare) might have been prevented by preventative outpatient treatment.

Catholic Charities aims to make healthcare services accessible to uninsured immigrants throughout the Baltimore region through the Esperanza Health Center Health Services Clinic (ECHC). The clinic offers free medical and dental services, as well as no-cost primary and preventive care for adults and children. In 2023, the clinic serviced over 3,500 visits for those in need. Catholic Charities also offers eight outpatient mental health clinics that provide mental health counseling for adults, families, and children, as well as substance use treatment.

In Fiscal Year 2023, Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital supported healthcare services for community members in need by providing nearly $20 Million in charity care to the community.

Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital also shows its commitment to managing its healthcare resources as a service to the entire community by providing financial assistance for certain individuals who receive emergency or other medically necessary care at the hospital.

Outside hospital walls, Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital sponsors health fairs and wellness programs with St. Joseph’s Monastery Parish and other organizations to improve community health awareness.

 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines social drivers of health, also known as the social determinants of health, as the “conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.”

The State of Southwest Baltimore Series aims to examine the presence of the six social drivers of health in Southwest Baltimore and how local community organizations are helping create healthier communities.

Part Two of the State of Southwest Baltimore Series will focus on another essential social driver of health – transportation. Transportation is defined as the availability and quality of transportation options that enable individuals to travel to work, school, healthcare facilities, and other essential services. Lack of reliable transportation can lead to delayed care for health issues, increased stress, and feelings of isolation, all of which negatively impact health outcomes. Inadequate transportation may also restrict access to community, which can further lead to adverse health outcomes.

The City of Baltimore provides the Charm City Circulator bus service for free to all residents and visitors. The Circulator makes over 100 stops along four routes, connecting neighborhoods to food hubs, healthcare services, and entertainment offerings. This service continues to expand and in June 2024 began to serve Baltimore’s Cherry Hill neighborhood.

Older adults and those with disabilities can face even larger transportation barriers to access healthcare, which is why Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital developed their Trusted Ride Chaperone Program. The program partners with volunteer chaperones and a ride-share service to transport older adults and those with disabilities to and from non-emergency medical appointments. By bridging this transportation gap, Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital ensures that residents can access the medical care they need, as well as providing companionship and reducing social isolation for community members.

 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines social drivers of health, also known as the social determinants of health, as the “conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.”

The State of Southwest Baltimore Series aims to examine the presence of the six social drivers of health in Southwest Baltimore and how local community organizations are helping create healthier communities.

Part One of the State of Southwest Baltimore Series will focus on the first social driver of health – nutrition. Nutrition is the access to sufficient, safe, and beneficial food to maintain a healthy and active life. Inadequate nutrition can lead to a range of health issues, including obesity, malnutrition, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. The leading cause of death in Baltimore is heart disease, which has been linked to poor nutrition.

Nearly 40% of Southwest Baltimore qualifies as a food desert, meaning many residents will find it difficult to purchase affordable, good-quality fresh food. Southwest Baltimore’s food deserts have a high fast-food and convenience store density, leading to limited healthy eating options.

Multiple organizations are working to provide these areas of Southwest Baltimore with fresh, nutritious food. Catholic Charities and My Brother’s Keeper operate food pantries and meal serving programs to provide nutritious meals and groceries to residents in need, with Catholic Charities providing 494,469 meals in 2023. Catholic Charities’ My Brother’s Keeper and Our Daily Bread Employment Center provides lunch, case management, behavioral health, benefits access support, and job training to those in need.

All Mount Saint Joseph High School Freshman are required to complete a day of service at Our Daily Bread, with Juniors and Seniors of Mount Saint Joseph High School providing a semester of community service at My Brother’s Keeper.

There is also a push to educate Southwest Baltimore communities on good eating habits and how to meet nutritional needs. Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital is involved in a variety of nutritional and food-focused programs that support local schools and organizations.

 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines social drivers of health, also known as the social determinants of health, as the “conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.”

The State of Southwest Baltimore Series aims to examine the presence of the six social drivers of health in Southwest Baltimore and how local community organizations are helping create healthier communities.

As Baltimore searches for a new health commissioner after firing its Health Department leader last month, Mayor Brandon Scott announced Thursday that two top Johns Hopkins University public health specialists and former City Hall officials will advise his administration. Dr. Joshua Sharfstein and Michelle Spencer, both with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, will advise the Scott administration in a part-time capacity while retaining their roles at the university.