#HouseBaltimore 30-Day Countdown to Progress

Feb. 7, 2022

Dear Baltimore,

Last Monday, Mayor Scott aptly called on all city agencies to provide a full accounting of their efforts to reduce the number of vacant homes in Baltimore City over the next 30 days. In response, I sent a letter to the Mayor outlining the Council's 30-day goals for #HouseBaltimore.

The purpose of the #HouseBaltimore legislation is to ensure residents have the chance to buy a house they can afford, live in those homes and use the property to ultimately create generational wealth for their families. It will also help to eliminate many of the vacant houses that currently plague neighborhoods throughout Baltimore City, 3,000 of which are city-owned. Read more about the #HouseBaltimore legislation in my op-ed that appeared in Blavity. 

In the first year of this Council, we worked diligently alongside the Administration to address Baltimore citizens’ immediate needs. Together, we were able to extend late fees for renters, close an eviction loophole and create a security deposit assistance grant program. The time for partnership is upon us again and the City Council is ready to respond.

Tonight, we introduced a second phase of legislation for our #HouseBaltimore package, which will create a short-term rental assistance program for residents in street violence reduction, diversion, or job training programs, and a stronger inclusionary housing law to create more affordable housing in Baltimore City. Thank you, Councilmember Ramos, for your leadership on this phase of introductions.

Our joint pledge to join the #HouseAmerica initiative, led by Sec. Marcia Fudge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, was the first step on this long road toward equitably distributing this $641 million in federal relief funds to our residents. On February 15th, the City Council’s Ways and Means Committee will hold a quarterly oversight hearing on the distribution of American Rescue Plan funds. This historic funding represents a once-in-lifetime opportunity to address the 15,000 vacant properties and expand the city’s capacity to equitably meet our residents’ many service needs. I want you to be engaged in the process by watching the hearing and signing up to testify so your voice can be heard.

The City Council stands ready to serve the residents of this city by doubling down on our commitment to #HouseBaltimore by introducing and passing legislation that will address our city’s growing housing inequity.

Good public policy is what will begin to eradicate the conditions that create health and economic disparities. We don’t need a miracle to improve conditions in our great but segregated city. We need the city’s legislative branch to put progressive ideals into action.  

The countdown is on to get this right and your City Council is up for the challenge.

In service,

Nick J. Mosby
City Council President