Maryland Fair Housing Act
What’s the problem?
Despite long-standing federal and state protections, housing discrimination remains a persistent barrier for thousands of Maryland residents. People continue to face unequal treatment in renting, buying, financing, and accessing housing based on characteristics that have little or nothing to do with their ability to be good tenants or homeowners.
Maryland’s current fair housing framework does not comprehensively protect against all forms of discrimination occurring in today’s housing market. In particular, gaps in state law leave too many residents vulnerable to denial of housing based on factors such as source of income, criminal history, immigration status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and family structure—often with little recourse.
Discriminatory housing practices reinforce residential segregation, widen racial and economic disparities, and limit access to safe neighborhoods, quality schools, employment opportunities, and transportation. These harms affect not just individuals and families, but the long-term economic health and stability of communities across the state.
What’s the solution?
The Maryland Fair Housing Act modernizes and strengthens fair housing protections by clearly prohibiting discrimination in housing transactions and rental practices across the state.
A strong Maryland Fair Housing Act would:
- Expand protected classes to reflect current housing realities
- Prevent blanket exclusion policies that disproportionately impact marginalized communities
- Strengthen enforcement and accountability mechanisms
- Align state law with evolving federal standards and best practices
- Promote equal access to housing opportunity in every jurisdiction
By setting a clear statewide standard, the Act ensures consistent protections regardless of where someone lives, while providing clarity for housing providers, lenders, and local governments.
Why this works
Strong fair housing laws are proven to reduce discriminatory practices, increase housing stability, and support healthier, more economically vibrant communities.
States with robust fair housing protections experience:
- Greater housing access for working families and people with disabilities
- Reduced displacement and housing insecurity
- More predictable and transparent standards for housing providers
- Stronger compliance and fewer costly disputes
Clear rules benefit both renters and landlords by replacing uncertainty and implicit bias with uniform, enforceable standards. When housing discrimination decreases, workforce participation increases, schools stabilize, and neighborhoods thrive.
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