MCCR Releases Landmark Source of Income Guidance to Advance Housing Equity and Opportunity
Updated:
BALTIMORE, MD – The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) proudly announces the release of its Source of Income Guidance, a pivotal resource designed to empower every Marylander about their right for fair and equal opportunity to secure housing – regardless of how they lawfully earn or receive their income.
This comprehensive guidance reaffirms Maryland’s commitment to dismantling barriers that perpetuate discrimination against individuals who rely on nontraditional income sources, including:
- housing vouchers,
- Social Security benefits,
- supplemental security income (SSI),
- disability benefits,
- veteran’s assistance,
- child support,
- alimony, and
- other lawful means.
By clarifying the rights of renters and the responsibilities of housing providers, MCCR takes a bold step forward in protecting the dignity, stability, and futures of countless families across our state.
“Housing is more than shelter, it is the foundation upon which we build strong families, stable communities, and thriving futures,” said Cleveland L. Horton II, Executive Director of MCCR. “With the release of this guidance, Maryland sends a clear and powerful message: no one should be denied a place to call home because of the way they pay for it. This is not just about compliance with the law, it is about doing what is right, just, and necessary for the progress of our state.”
The Source of Income Guidance serves as both an educational tool and a call to action. It equips landlords, property managers, tenants, advocates, and community leaders with the knowledge needed to uphold Maryland’s anti-discrimination protections, fostering a housing market that reflects fairness, inclusion, and respect for all.
Maryland’s fair housing laws prohibit discrimination based on source of income, making it unlawful to refuse to rent or lease housing, impose different terms, or engage in other discriminatory practices because of how someone earns or receives their income. This guidance ensures that these protections are not merely words on paper but are actively realized in communities statewide.
MCCR calls on housing providers, advocates, and residents alike to use this guidance as a catalyst for change, ensuring that every Marylander can live free from discrimination and with full access to the opportunities that housing stability makes possible.
The full Source of Income Guidance is now available on MCCR’s website at https://mccr.maryland.gov/Pages/Publications.aspx.