202-unit apartment complex could lose license
Are apartment owners responsible for crimes committed by tenants?
Many think they aren't, "but in fact, they are," says Baltimore Housing Commissioner Paul T. Graziano. "And they must take specific actions to address these egregious criminal acts."
Graziano said late Monday that lack of owner action is why he has issued a notice of intent to revoke the license of the Madison Park North Apartments in Reservoir Hill, a 202-unit complex the city calls a haven of drug dealing and violence. If the license is pulled, no one could rent there anymore and residents would have to move.
A hearing is scheduled for September to determine the fate of the property. The city says its housing agency and the federal government will help relocate renters if the license is revoked -- the law-abiding ones, that is.
Categories: Landlording, Renting
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Comments
Paul Graziano needs to repeat his quote to the folks who work at the Housing Authority (HABC) HQ on West Pratt Street. HABC employees seem to think that the burden of proving criminal activity of some of their tenants should fall on the law-abiding homeowners and market rate renters.
I was once told by an HABC director that they only screen the background of Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) participants once upon entering the program but never do any background checks once they are in the program. They'll only act on removing a problem tenant once the police or a concerned citizen presents them with proof of criminal activities.
And don't get me started on the ridiculously high rents that HABC allows their landlords to charge. If you don't believe me, go to GoSection8.com and look up the rental properties that are available in your neighborhood.
Posted by: MCG | August 17, 2010 10:56 AM
Section 8 unquestionably props up both rents and prices above their natural point and in doing so perpetuates its own need. The only winners from the program are the slumlords. But the prospect of evicting non-criminals over the actions of criminals, that's group punishment for individual guilt.
Posted by: Josh Dowlut | August 17, 2010 3:41 PM