Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman announced an initiative Thursday to provide legal assistance to renters called “Operation Eviction Prevention.”
At a press conference in front of the Annapolis District Court building, Pittman said the county is partnering with nonprofits and attorneys to provide legal services.
“During this pandemic the federal government and the state of Maryland have done too little to protect the people whose lives are unraveling as we stand here in front of this courthouse,” he said.
One of the county’s partners in the effort is the Fair Housing Action Center of Maryland. The center’s Robyn Dorsey says they will assist renters who need to file a declaration under the CDC’s new eviction moratorium.
“There are no income requirements for our program,” Dorsey said. “We are also available to help landlords who may have questions about their responsibilities under the law or need mediation with tenants.”
Courts in Maryland will not rule on failure to pay rent cases until after the CDC moratorium expires next year, according to housing lawyer Lisa Sarro.
