AIM April Newsletter
Congratulations AIM! We accomplished several major victories this month and held actions at the state, county, and local levels.
Statewide Victories
We achieved 3 major victories in the Maryland state legislature this year!
The legislative session ended on April 8th, and these 3 bills passed with our support:
EmPOWER Reform (HB864)
This bill will protect our families’ health and the climate by reducing indoor air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Read more here.Housing Expansion & Affordability Act (HB538)
This bill will allow and incentivize the construction of affordable housing within 0.75 miles of transit stations, on state land, and on all land owned by congregations or nonprofits.Renters’ Rights & Housing Stabilization Act (HB693)
This bill will provide renters protection from evictions by raising the fee to file evictions and will limit security deposits to one month’s rent.
The fourth bill we supported, Good Cause (formerly “Just Cause”) Eviction, did not pass, but it made it further than it ever has before, and we can consider working on it again next year.
Thank you for all your hard work these past few months to make these victories happen!
FAITH ZTA for Affordable Housing
On April 2, the Montgomery County Council unanimously passed the FAITH ZTA (Zoning Text Amendment). This policy will make it easier for religious and private educational institutions to build affordable housing on their land.
AIM leaders and clergy organized to support this measure to allow more Montgomery County residents to afford to stay here, helping build a “beloved community” of neighbors from all walks of life. AIM leaders spoke at the county press conference and were interviewed by 7 News.
Budget Hearing Action
On April 8th, we showed up at the Montgomery County Council budget hearing asking the council to prioritize the following items in this year’s budget:
Pre-K expansion
Linkages to Learning at Burnt Mills Elementary
Funding parent engagement at Excel Beyond the Bell schools
Increasing the Housing Initiative Fund to preserve affordable housing
Funding HHS’ mobile dental clinic, and
Building a community/recreation center in Montgomery Village.
45 of us attended in total, and 12 of us gave testimony. Our diverse and powerful speakers and our turnout clearly made an impact on our county council members. The budget will be finalized in May.
Northwest Park Tenant Action
On Thursday, April 18th, residents of Northwest Park Apartments met with Kay Management, as well as police and other officials, about improving their complex's safety, health, and parking.
This meeting came out of weeks of door-knocking and organizing by Elizabeth Bernal-Amick and Ana Argueta, along with other tenant leaders and members of St. Camillus. Over 40 residents attended, as well as 7 leaders from AIM congregations, 4 members of Kay Management, 2 police officers, State Delegate Lorig Charkoudian, and a staff member for Councilmember Kristin Mink.
The residents’ association plans to meet again with Kay Management in 3 months to follow up on their 4 key priorities: a) respectful property management practices, b) safety and security, c) maintenance issues related to public health and d) parking. They will also meet internally and help residents install security cameras provided by the county.
