Candidate Forum Tonight to Focus on Rental Issues

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Labor leaders and activist groups are urging their members to demonstrate their political strength by attending the Renters Alliance Maryland state candidates forum tonight. More than 16 candidates for state delegate, senator, attorney general and governor have committed to attending the first-ever candidates forum in Maryland focusing on renter issues, set for tonight at the Silver Spring Civic Center from 7-9 p.m. "Workers across the county and beyond who live in rental housing need their homes protected from excessive rent increases, irresponsible and neglectful landlords," said Gino Renne, president of UFCW/MCGEO Local 1994, which represents more than 10,000 public employees. "We need to demonstrate to our elected officials that renters are an organized and growing voice in county and state policy making." According to the Census, renter populations throughout the region have grown dramatically. In Montgomery County alone, the percentage of residents living in rental housing has risen to more than 30% in 2013, from less than 10% just two decades ago. Click here to RSVP. photo: Retired Federal Employee Joyce Hymes speaks at Renters Alliance organizing meeting; photo by Matt Losak, Renters Alliance