County Tenants Work Group Presents Findings to County Council

The Montgomery County Tenants Work Group (TWG) presented their report to the Council on Tuesday, June 22nd. I personally found the information to be rich and revelatory on the concerns of renters, who represent approximately 25.7% of our county’s population. To that extent I expressed my great concern and hope that future reports from the TWG, or others, will shed light on the demographics of both seniors as well as mentally and physically disabled individuals who may also face serious challenges in accessing and maintaining affordable rental housing. There were several discussions that alluded to the likelihood of a future bill in the State legislature on the issue of Just Cause Eviction. Below you’ll find highlights of the report.

Should you need additional information on the rights of renters, or are seeking resources and solutions as a landlord or tenant, visit the Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs page. To view information on Landlord Tenant Law in Maryland, click here.

The TWG was convened by the County Executive in October 2008 and agreed to the following mission:

a. Accurately identify and quantify common and substantive problems confronting renters;
b. Research best practices and successful tenant advocacy models in the region and in the U.S.;
c. Catalogue resources already available to renters across the nation;
d. Review existing local and state codes with the intent of enhancing their effectiveness for protecting renters;
e. Seek public input from a broad range of renters and other interested parties; and,
f. Identify potential solutions to challenges and problems

Following is a summary of highlights from the TWG’s Report Recommendations:

I. From 2008 to 2009, “Holdover Rent” increased by 4.1 % countywide from $1,192 per month to $1,241. Holdover Rent is the rent paid by the current tenant upon lease renewal. The highest increase was in Rockville (5.4%) and lowest (3%) in Olney and Darnestown-Potomac. The county voluntary rent guideline for 2009 was 4.4%.

II. Over 66% of those surveyed paid a monthly rent of $1,500 or less with almost 70% paying an additional amount for utilities (mostly electric or electric and water).

III. For those tenants who had experienced a rent increase one or more times in the last five years, a majority (51.7%) had their rent increased 4% to 7% annually.

IV. Most tenants are “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with their unit, building, and landlord. Most “agree” or “strongly agree” that their property manager is responsive to questions and concerns.

V. Most survey participants had not received a Landlord-Tenant Handbook and most were not aware of the Office of Landlord-Tenant Affairs (62%) or the Commission on Landlord Tenant Affairs (71 %). Of those who had interacted with the Office, a majority (56%) was not satisfied with the process.

VI. Rent, long-term affordability, and safety were the three most important issues to those surveyed.

VII. 13% of those surveyed felt that they had experienced discrimination by a previous, current, or potential landlord in Montgomery County. Of those, 65% of those identified race, color, or national origin as the reason.

As a result of this research, the TWG identified several significant challenges confronting renters in Montgomery County. They include:

a. Concern over high rent increases;
b. A feeling of insecurity -not knowing if their rental agreements are permanent or affordable;
c. Fear of retaliation among some tenants for raising concerns or organizing other tenants; and
d. Confusion over where to seek help and how to proceed with complaints and building issues.

A full copy of the group’s report and findings can be found here.

Joint PHED/HHS Committee Work Session—May 6—FY11 Operating Budget

A joint meeting of the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development (PHED) Committee and Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee will be held on Thursday, May 6, at 9:30AM in the 7th Floor Council Hearing Room to discuss the following item within the FY11 Operating Budget.

• Housing First

Please contact Saschane Stephenson, Legislative Aide for Health and Human Services, at 240-777-7963 (direct dial) or saschane.stephenson@montgomerycountymd.gov. with your questions or concerns regarding this joint PHED-HHS Committee session.

Joint PHED/HHS Committee Work Session—Today—FY11 Operating Budget

A joint meeting of the Planning, Housing & Economic Development (PHED) Committee Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee will be held on Friday, April 23, at 9:30AM in the 7th Floor Council Hearing Room to discuss the following item within the FY11 Operating Budget:

• Housing First
• Hosing Initative Fund (HIF)

Should you have any questions, concerns, or issues regarding this joint PHED-HHS Committee session, please contact Saschane Stephenson, Legislative Aide for Health and Human Services, at 240-777-7963 (direct dial) or saschane.stephenson@montgomerycountymd.gov.

The meeting will be televised live by County Cable Montgomery (CCM—Cable Channel 6 on Comcast and RCN, Channel 30 on Verizon) and will also be available via streaming through the County Web site.

Trachtenberg Office Attends 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Montgomery Housing Partnership

Members of the Trachtenberg staff were in attendance at the emotionally stirring 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Montgomery Housing Partnership (MHP), held at the Bolger Center in Rockville last evening. Hosted by Catherine Legget, and several key business and community leaders, over 500 attendees cheered the unwavering dedication of past and present MHP advocates to provide affordable housing opportunities to Montgomery County residents. Several moving testimonies reiterated the often over-looked significance that having a place to call home changes lives not only for civil servants, but also for vulnerable individuals, families, and their children. Representing Duchy Trachtenberg were Alan Bowser and Saschane Stephenson.

Action in Montgomery – Trachtenberg Office Attends Public Meeting

Naomi Bloch represented Councilmember Trachtenberg last evening at the Action in Montgomery’s (AIM) Public Meeting which took place at St. Martins Catholic Church, located at 201 South Frederick Avenue, in Gaithersburg.

The purpose of this gathering was to present to County Executive Leggett and the County Council AIM’s Top 4 Budget Priorities:

• Equality for all County Residents
• Universal Access to Higher Education
• Affordable Housing
• Ensure that basic needs are met for the most vulnerable in our county.

Action In Montgomery is a multi-racial, multi-faith, strictly non-partisan, County-wide citizens’ organization, rooted in local congregations and associations. AIM is affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), the oldest and largest national, congregation-based, community organizing network in the United States. Founded more than 50 years ago by Saul Alinsky, the IAF works with more than 55 community organizations like AIM across the United States, and in Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom. These organizations have produced impressive results in training thousands of ethnically, culturally, and economically diverse leaders to take action on community, city, and state issues.

Action in Montgomery’s website is http://www.actioninmontgomery.org/.

Trachtenberg Office Follows Land Use Issues

Councilmember Trachtenberg attended that the County Council’s recent work session on the establishment of a Commercial/Residential (CR) Zone. The CR zone is for mixed use development with respect to a blend of commercial and residential/non residential development. One of the goals of the CR zone is to create walkable communities as well as healthier lifestyles. Councilmember Trachtenberg requested specific language with respect to health and well being in a CR zone. A vote is scheduled for next Tuesday, February 23rd. Legislative Aide Laurie Edberg attended the work session.

Staff from the Trachtenberg Office also attended the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development (PHED) Committee’s meeting his week on staging for the White Flint Sector Plan. It was the Committee's seventh work session on the White Flint Sector Plan. The staging plan is guided by four principles: coordinating development with public infrastructure; promoting a sense of place; promoting balance; and ensuring fiscal responsibility. Representatives from the Planning Board had an opportunity to discuss the staging process. Legislative Aide Laurie Edberg attended the committee meeting.

Trachtenberg Office Attends African American Advisory Group Meeting

The Trachtenberg Office was represented at the annual budget meeting of the County Executive’s African American Advisory Group in Rockville, Maryland.

At the meeting, County Executive Isiah Leggett received the AAAG’s recommendations regarding the FY11 Operating Budget to be submitted to the County Council in March 2010. The Group’s recommendations addressed issues of spending reductions; new revenue sources; efficient, effective operations; collaboration on state budget cut mitigation; critical services prioritization; and strategic management of the financial crisis.

The County Executive was accompanied by Bruce Adams, Director of the Office of Community Partnerships, Reverend Timothy Warner, Staff Liaison, Office of Community Partnerships, and Joe Beach, Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

The AAAG is co-chaired by Dr. Sheryl Brissett-Chapman and Julian Norment. Our Chief of Staff Alan Bowser, who is a member of the Executive’s African American Advisory Group, represented Councilmember Trachtenberg.

First Baptist Church of Silver Spring – Proposed Mixed Used Development

The Trachtenberg Office attended a community meeting on the First Baptist Church of Silver Springs’ proposed mixed-used development on its Silver Spring property. The Church, which was established in 1924, is an important Silver Spring community center.

Members of local civic associations, homeowner associations, and adjacent and confronting property owners were invited to be briefed on the Church’s plans to redevelop its existing property on Wayne Avenue, Fenton Street and Bonifant Street in Silver Spring. This was a pre-submittal meeting on the Project Plan and the Preliminary Plan for 8415 Fenton Street, Silver Spring. The plan which would retain the First Baptist Church on the site, includes retail use, residential use and public space. Community members asked questions about possible retail uses, the number and type of dwelling units, historic preservation, Fenton Village, neighborhood impacts, and compatibility.

Saluting Montgomery County's Veterans

At the Round House Theatre in Silver Spring last night, I attended the "Tribute to America's Veterans" concert sponsored by the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc., a local non-profit community organization. Along with County Executive Isiah Leggett and my County Council colleagues--Council President Phil Andrews and Councilmember Valerie Ervin--we enjoyed an evening of great music and moving tributes to Montgomery County's veterans and active duty military women and men.

I had the great honor of joining with Councilmembers Ervin and Andrews to present County Council proclamations recognizing the achievements and sacrifices of two Buffalo Soldiers who were present: Mr. Joseph Hairston and Mr. James Daugherty. And, with surprise, we recognized another Buffalo Soldier in the audience, Mr. Charles Williams. We also presented a certificate of appreciation to one of Montgomery County's most effective non-profit organizations working on behalf of our veterans--Rebuilding Together Montgomery County.

The evening was filled with music performed by Silver Spring's Jonny Grave, and the blues duo, Memphis Gold and Jay Summerour.

Thanks to the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc., Building Bridges America, Inc., the Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs, and PFA Silver Spring LLC, for a wonderful event.

The Montgomery County Council Considers the White Flint Sector Plan

The Montgomery County Council is currently considering the White Flint Sector Plan, recommended by the Montgomery County Planning Board.

Among the plan’s goals:

--create thriving, diverse mixed use center with highest intensity closest to Metro and along Rockville Pike;
--create new parks and open spaces ;
--transform Rockville Pike into a boulevard with a landscape median, street trees and improved crosswalks;
--develop a transportation network that includes a grid of new public streets;
--improve the pedestrian and bicycling environment;
--promote sustainable development;
--create new public facilities;
--provide affordable housing; and
--promote innovative ways to finance and manage new infrastructure.

The County Council is receiving public testimony at two public hearings--Tuesday, October 20, 2009 and Thursday, October 22, 2009.

More information on the White Flint Sector Plan can be found at http://www.montgomeryplanning.org/community/whiteflint/

Please email your comments about the White Flint Sector Plan to my office: Councilmember.Trachtenberg.montgomerycountymd.gov