sharon green middleton

It was the first State of the City address in City Hall since 2019.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott signed into law Thursday a bill to establish a grant program to help low-income renters pay security deposits.

Baltimore City Council Vice President Sharon Green Middleton is sponsoring a bill that would create a security deposit voucher program for renters.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott announced Thursday the city will create a $3.3 million fund to help renters with security deposits.

The Baltimore City Council adjourned Tuesday without taking up Mayor Brandon Scott’s veto of a bill that would have provided security deposit alternatives to renters, letting it stand.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott has until Monday to decide whether to veto a controversial bill that would provide security deposit alternatives for renters or allow it to become law without his signature.

A virtual housing town hall that Baltimore City Council leaders held Tuesday night drew backlash from the city’s renter advocates. “It was just insulting, and it was infuriating,” said renter and advocate Tisha Guthrie.

The bill would create alternatives to lump sum security deposits for some residential leases, including a monthly payment plan and surety bonds. Renters’ advocates have criticized the latter as a predatory practice.

Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby said he was looking forward to serving the rest of his term on Monday, despite the federal probe into the finances of the Democrat and his wife, State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.