This petition has been assembled by University of Maryland Student Government, members of the College Park Tenants Union, 17 for Peace and Justice, and an assortment of other progressive organizations within Prince George’s County. Prince George’s County Council Bill 55, being heard next Tuesday 6/18, looks to enact new housing policy in our area. We support the permanent codification of the existing temporary rent increase cap at 3%. However, in CB-55, we would like the progressive amendments to the bill, including the following tenant protections:

• Vacancy control to prevent landlords from using no-cause evictions to increase rent
• Eviction protections given absence of state-wide just cause eviction policy
• Include regulations on the excessive quantity of fees and unjust fee increases
• Protections for new construction on rolling deadlines, rather than based on fixed dates
• Specific protections for senior housing facilities, rather than current lack of distinction
• A decrease in the exemptions given around the 3% rent increase cap
• Additional protections for single-family homes and senior citizen living facilities

We urge you to share this petition with friends and other community members. Landlords drove in flocks to testify that their bottom-line would be hurt from this legislation, meaning we have to prove to the County Council that the people’s voices outweigh landowner profit. Write to your County Council member, testify virtually, and- most importantly- come out to testify in favor of these amendments at the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building, 1301 McCormick Drive, Largo MD at 10:00 am on Tuesday, June 18th.

Is your community/UMD organization interested in joining this petition? Fill out this form to get involved.