In a momentous occasion today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott, joined by Council President Nick Mosby and Councilman Odette Ramos, signed two groundbreaking inclusionary housing bills into law, marking the first legislation of its kind in Baltimore since 2007. The previous bill, which expired in 2022, has been succeeded by these historic measures aimed at enhancing housing inclusivity in the city.
Mayor Scott, reflecting on the city’s commitment to its residents, stated, “My entire time working on behalf of the City of Baltimore, it has been clear to me how critical the creation of inclusionary housing is for our residents.” He emphasized the moral imperative to provide safe, affordable housing in all parts of the city, recognizing housing as a crucial factor in determining the well-being of families.
The two inclusionary housing bills build upon existing affordable housing initiatives in Baltimore. The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) reports that, over the last four years, developments and programs supported by the Scott Administration and DHCD have led to the creation of over 2,000 units of affordable housing.
City Council President Nick Mosby expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “This historic bill corrects a decades-long failure, sets our city’s housing infrastructure on a path of progress for years to come, and gives a well-deserved seat at the table to the thousands of families in our city living paycheck to paycheck.”
Councilwoman Odette Ramos, highlighting the effectiveness of the new legislation, stated, “With these two bills, we will truly have mixed-income communities by creating affordable units where currently there are none. This is a significant step in eliminating the impact of our racist housing policies.”
The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from housing advocacy groups, labor unions, and community partners across Baltimore and the state. Among the attendees were the Maryland NAACP, the Maryland AFL-CIO, 1199SEIU, and various community organizations committed to housing justice.
Char McCready, a leader of Baltimore’s Inclusionary Housing Coalition and Maryland Inclusive Housing Director of Housing, described the legislation as a historic step forward, ending a development policy that subsidizes segregation and separate-and-unequal development.
Doug Schmidt of Workshop Development, Inc. and the Baltimore Development Workgroup praised the inclusive process in formulating the new Inclusionary Housing law, calling it a well-considered compromise.
The Scott Administration has been proactive in addressing housing issues, with initiatives such as The Councilmember Mary Pat Clarke Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act and a historic $3 billion plan to tackle vacant properties across Baltimore. The administration’s comprehensive approach aims to create a more equitable and inclusive housing landscape in the city.