Workers Hail Baltimore Inclusionary Housing Bill

Calling it "a great first step toward addressing Baltimore's affordable housing shortage," 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and AFSCME Council 67 hailed the Baltimore City Council's passage of inclusionary housing legislation earlier this week. "It is outrageous that city workers are shut out of buying homes and residing in the same city in which they labor," said Glen Middleton, executive director of AFSCME Council 67. "Everyone deserves the right to work and live in their own communities. It took tremendous political will and leadership to reach this day." Added 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East Executive Vice President John Reid, "This helps to ensure that Baltimore is on the right track to smart growth and development, while making room for everyone to create a place we can all call home." The measure, based on recommendations developed by the Task Force on Inclusionary Housing, is intended to create affordable housing. As with a similar effort in the District, unions supported the legislation as a means for greater housing opportunities for workers. "Our elected leaders, particularly Mayor Sheila Dixon, Baltimore City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Councilman Edward Reisinger, Chair of the Land Use and Transportation Committee, heard the cry for affordable housing from Baltimore's working families and have taken an important step toward that goal," said Reid. AFSCME Council 67 and 1199 SEIU have been working for the bill's passage in coalition with labor, faith, housing and other organizations concerned about sharply rising housing prices in Baltimore City.  While housing prices have gone up almost 100% in the past few years, wages have only increased in the region by 19% leaving healthcare workers with few viable housing options. "I would like to live with my husband and son in a safe place with good schools, stores and parks," said Carolyn Chester, an 1199 SEIU member who is a Certified Medical Assistant at Wesley Assisted Living, who currently rents her home in West Baltimore.  "It is my hope that this bill will help me see my dream for my family come true." Washington, DC adopted an Inclusionary Zoning Policy earlier this year, after coordinated efforts by DC ACORN, Jews United for Justice, and the Washington Regional Network for Livable Communities, with strong support from the Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO. "Affordable housing is a workforce issue,” said Metro Washington Council president Jos Williams. "Gains at the bargaining table mean less when you turn around and give it all back to the landlord." 2005 Philadelphia rally for Inclusionary Zoning, photo by Jennine Miller