Maryland Renter's Concerns Raised in Annapolis at First
Friday, January 24, 2014
(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Renters from across Maryland rolled into
Annapolis last week as part of the first-ever "Renter Day in
Annapolis," sponsored by the Renters Alliance and a coalition of community, civic and
labor locals including UFCW Local 1994, which represents nearly 10,000 public
employees. More than 100 renters and activists traveled by bus to meet with
dozens of state senators, delegates and state officials to discuss their
concerns. The renter activists represented 14 organizations, including civic
groups, tenant associations, unions and religious organizations, many of whose
members are experiencing excessive rents and rent increases and the
transferring of once-included utility and parking costs forcing many renters
out of their homes. Renters are also facing neglected maintenance and
improvements, noise and toxic dust from property construction and threats of
eviction for speaking out to demand promised and legally required services. The
Renter Day activists are seeking consideration of these issues by state
legislators and officials and seeking support for a "Renters Bill of
Rights."