Maryland AG Settles Housing Discrimination Cases With Three Landlords

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown announced settlements with three landlords—American Management, Maryland Management, and Habitat America—over discriminatory housing practices affecting renters with felony convictions and those using government housing vouchers. American Management agreed to revise its rental application policies, which previously barred applicants with felony convictions regardless of their circumstances, a practice found to disproportionately impact people of color. Maryland Management settled for refusing to accept emergency rental assistance vouchers from tenants facing eviction, agreeing to pay penalties and establish a fund for affected renters. Habitat America was found to have charged higher rent increases to tenants using housing vouchers and agreed to reimburse tenants, pay damages, and change its policies. These settlements reflect Maryland's effort to enforce fair housing laws amid a perceived reduction in federal enforcement, emphasizing equal housing opportunities regardless of criminal history or income source. Brown underscored the importance of state and local action to protect civil rights in housing and pledged ongoing oversight of rental practices.