Housing vouchers in Maryland: the complete guide for 2025

Last updated 2026-07-09

What is the Maryland housing voucher program and who runs it?

Maryland doesn't have one housing voucher program. It has dozens. What most people call "Section 8" here is really the Housing Choice Voucher program, a federal program run at the local level. HUD writes the rules and sends the money. Each local public housing authority (PHA) issues the vouchers, keeps the waitlists, and deals with landlords and tenants day to day.^[1]

Maryland has more than 25 PHAs running voucher programs. The ones you'll actually deal with are the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC), the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD, which runs a statewide program), the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (HOC), the Housing Commission of Anne Arundel County, and the Housing Authority of Prince George's County. Each keeps its own waitlist, sets its own payment standards, and runs its own application.

This matters in practice. A voucher from HABC is not the same as one from HOC. Payment standards differ, inspection details differ at the margins, and wait times swing wildly from one jurisdiction to the next. As a tenant, you need to know which PHA covers the area you want to live in. Chasing a generic "Maryland voucher" gets you nowhere.

The statewide program DHCD runs ^[2] targets special populations, including people with disabilities and people exiting homelessness. It isn't a general voucher program open to any low-income household. If you're a typical family looking for rental help, your path runs through your local PHA, not DHCD.

Who qualifies for a housing voucher in Maryland?

Eligibility comes from federal law (24 CFR Part 982) ^[3] and applies to every PHA in Maryland, though each can add local preferences on top. Four things decide it: your income, your immigration status, your background, and your household size.

• Income: Your household's gross annual income has to be at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for your county or metro area. Federal law also requires PHAs to issue at least 75% of new vouchers to households at or below 30% of AMI.^[3]
• Citizenship or eligible immigration status: At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen or have qualifying immigration status.
• Background: PHAs can deny applicants with certain drug-related or violent criminal convictions. The specific rules vary by PHA.
• Family size and composition: "Family" under HUD rules covers singles, couples without kids, and elderly or disabled individuals, along with families with children.

HUD updates income limits every year. For the Baltimore metro area (Baltimore City plus five surrounding counties), the 50% AMI limit in 2024 was $52,750 for a family of four.^[4] For the Washington metro area, which covers Montgomery and Prince George's counties, the limit ran higher because the DC region's median income is much higher.

Local preferences can jump you ahead of people who'd otherwise wait years. Common Maryland preferences include currently homeless or at risk of homelessness, living or working in the PHA's jurisdiction, veterans, people with disabilities, and survivors of domestic violence. HABC has historically favored city residents and people displaced by public housing demolitions.

You'll verify income with documents (pay stubs, tax returns, benefit award letters) and hand over Social Security numbers for everyone in the household. PHAs run a HUD-required criminal background check and pull the HUD Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) system to catch unreported income.

What are the income limits and payment standards for Maryland counties?

Payment standards and income limits change by county because they're tied to HUD's Fair Market Rents (FMRs), which HUD recalculates every year. The table below shows the approximate FY2024 FMRs and 50% AMI limits for major Maryland counties and metro areas.^[4][5] Each PHA sets its payment standards somewhere between 90% and 110% of the FMR.

Area	2-BR Fair Market Rent (FY2024)	50% AMI, Family of 4
Baltimore metro (city + 5 counties)	$1,618	$52,750
Montgomery County	$2,260	$72,150
Prince George's County	$2,127	$72,150
Anne Arundel County	$1,717	$60,150
Frederick County	$1,648	$63,150
Harford County	$1,618	$52,750
Western Maryland (Allegany/Washington)	~$900-$1,050	$41,250-$47,000

Payment standards cap how much the PHA pays toward your rent. Rent a unit that costs more than the standard and you cover the difference yourself, on top of your required 30%-of-income share. At initial lease-up, that extra amount can't push your total share past 40% of your monthly adjusted income.^[3]

Montgomery County HOC runs relatively high payment standards because DC suburb rents are brutal, so HOC adjusts accordingly. Western Maryland PHAs set lower standards, but rents there are also much lower, so a voucher there often reaches a wider slice of available units.

Here's the math for what you can afford. Your share is 30% of your adjusted monthly income. The PHA pays the rest, up to the payment standard. You cover anything above the standard. So if the two-bedroom payment standard is $1,618 and your unit rents for $1,700, you pay your 30% share plus the $82 gap.

Which Maryland housing authority waitlists are open right now?

This is the question everyone asks, and the honest answer is that it changes constantly and no single place tracks every Maryland PHA in real time.

As of mid-2025, the pattern is familiar. High-demand PHAs (HABC, HOC Montgomery County, Prince George's County) keep their waitlists closed most of the time and crack them open briefly, sometimes for only a few days, for lottery applications. Smaller rural PHAs sometimes have shorter waits or keep lists open longer.

HABC (Baltimore City) has historically had waits of 3 to 7 years for most applicants when it opens. HOC of Montgomery County has some of the longest waits in the state, sometimes 8 to 10 years, because demand is intense and rents are high. Our open Section 8 waiting lists resource gives you a starting point, but verify directly with each PHA.

How to actually catch an opening: 1. Bookmark the website of every PHA covering an area you'd live in. 2. Sign up for email or text alerts from those PHAs if they offer them. 3. Check MD211 (211md.org), which pulls together housing resources across Maryland. 4. Check HUD's PHA contact list ^[1] to find smaller PHAs you might have missed.

Applying to several PHAs at once isn't just allowed, it's the smart move. No rule stops you from sitting on more than one waitlist. If one PHA calls, you can accept or decline, and you keep your spot on the others unless you actually get issued a voucher and use it.

One more thing. Some smaller Maryland PHAs run project-based vouchers tied to specific apartment complexes rather than tenant-based vouchers you can carry anywhere. Those waitlists sometimes move faster. Ask each PHA what kinds of vouchers they run when you contact them.

How do you apply for Section 8 in Maryland?

There is no statewide Maryland application. Each PHA runs its own process, and you apply separately to every one you want to be considered by.

When a waitlist opens, the process usually looks like this:

1. The PHA announces an opening with a set window (sometimes 72 hours, sometimes two weeks). 2. You submit a pre-application, usually online, with basic household information. 3. The PHA either takes applications first-come, first-served until it hits a cap, or runs a lottery from everything received during the window. 4. If you're selected, you land on the waitlist and wait for your number. 5. When you're near the top, the PHA calls you in for a full eligibility interview and document review. 6. If you pass, you get a voucher with a search deadline (typically 60 to 120 days) to find a qualifying unit.

Some PHAs, including DHCD's statewide program, take referrals through partner agencies instead of open public applications. If you're experiencing homelessness, contact your local Continuum of Care or homeless services coordinator, since they often have direct access to those referral pipelines.

Gather your documents before a list opens so you're not scrambling: birth certificates and Social Security cards for everyone in the household, proof of income (recent pay stubs plus last year's tax return), proof of any disability income (SSI/SSDI award letters), photo ID, and proof of any local preference you're claiming (like a lease showing you live in the jurisdiction).

One practical note that costs people years. Some PHAs skip you or drop you from the list if they can't reach you. Keep your contact information current with every PHA you've applied to. It sounds obvious. It's still the single most common reason people lose their place after waiting years.

How long is the waiting list in Maryland?

It varies a lot, and nobody publishes current wait-time data for all Maryland PHAs in one place. Here's the realistic picture based on what individual PHAs have reported.

HABC (Baltimore City) has publicly cited average waits of 3 to 7 years for standard applicants, shorter for those who qualify for emergency or special preferences. HOC Montgomery County has acknowledged waits topping 7 years in recent years for most applicants. Anne Arundel County Housing Commission has seen stretches of 2 to 4 years. Smaller rural PHAs in Western Maryland sometimes run under 2 years.

HUD's Picture of Subsidized Households database ^[6] shows how many vouchers each PHA runs, which gives you a rough sense of scale, but it won't tell you wait times directly.

Why are the waits this long? Maryland gets a fixed annual allocation of vouchers from HUD, based on past usage and funding. Congress appropriates the money, HUD splits it up, and PHAs can only issue as many vouchers as they can fund. In high-cost jurisdictions like Montgomery County, one voucher costs more per year, so each appropriated dollar covers fewer households. Demand has outrun supply for decades.

A realistic strategy: if you have any geographic flexibility, smaller Maryland jurisdictions and Eastern Shore PHAs sometimes have meaningfully shorter waits. You can port your voucher almost anywhere in Maryland (or the country) after 12 months of use, so starting in a smaller jurisdiction doesn't lock you there.

What can you rent with a Maryland housing voucher?

Almost any private rental that passes HUD's Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection and where the landlord agrees to participate. That covers apartments, townhouses, single-family homes, and some manufactured housing. The unit has to match your household's bedroom size under the PHA's occupancy standards.

The landlord has to be willing to rent to you and to sign a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract with the PHA. Several Maryland jurisdictions have source-of-income anti-discrimination protections that make it illegal to refuse a tenant just because they use a voucher. Montgomery County, Prince George's County, and Baltimore City all have local source-of-income laws.^[7] Statewide law since 2020 also bans source-of-income discrimination under Maryland Code, Real Property Article, Section 20-705.^[7]

In practice, landlord acceptance still varies. In tight markets, some landlords don't want to deal with HQS inspections, HAP contracts, or the back-and-forth with PHAs. Our Section 8 houses for rent resource can help you find landlord-listed units, and HUD runs a searchable rental listing tool as well.

The rent also has to be "reasonable" compared to similar unsubsidized units nearby, and it has to fit within the payment standard for that bedroom size. The PHA runs a rent reasonableness check before approving any lease. If the asking rent sits above market for comparable units, the PHA can reject it, and you'd have to negotiate with the landlord or find another place.

For landlords wondering about the process: you submit a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) through the PHA, schedule an HQS inspection, and if everything passes, you sign the HAP contract and the lease with the tenant at the same time. The PHA pays its portion straight to you by direct deposit, usually on the first of the month. See rental assistance for more on how the payment flow works.

Are Maryland landlords required to accept Section 8 vouchers?

Under state law enacted in 2020, yes, in most cases. Maryland Code, Real Property Article, Section 20-705 bans discrimination based on source of income, which explicitly includes housing vouchers.^[7] The protection reaches nearly all private rental housing in Maryland.

Before 2020, protection was patchy. Montgomery County had an ordinance going back years. Baltimore City had protections. Prince George's County had protections. But rural Maryland landlords could legally turn away voucher holders. The 2020 state law closed that gap.

What it means in practice: a landlord who advertises a unit and refuses you solely because you have a voucher is breaking Maryland law. You can file a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR).^[8]

What it doesn't mean: landlords keep the right to reject tenants for legitimate reasons like poor rental history, inadequate income (remember, the PHA pays most of the rent), or bad references. They can also reject a lease-up if the PHA's rent reasonableness figure comes in below their asking rent. The law stops blanket refusals based on voucher status. It doesn't force a landlord into a lease at a price they don't accept.

For landlords weighing whether to take part, the upsides are real. The PHA's share is guaranteed and paid on time by direct deposit, the tenant is pre-screened (the PHA checks income and criminal history), and voucher holders tend to stay put because they're often looking for long-term housing. The downsides are real too. HQS inspections can require repairs before tenancy starts, the HAP contract limits mid-lease rent increases without PHA approval, and the paperwork runs heavier than a standard private lease.

How do HQS inspections work for Maryland Section 8 rentals?

Every unit rented with a voucher has to pass an HQS inspection before the lease starts, then again every year. The inspection covers 13 categories: living room, kitchen, bathroom, other rooms, building exterior, heating, plumbing, electrical, water, lead-based paint, access, site and neighborhood, and the unit's structure.^[9]

Common reasons Maryland units flunk the initial inspection: missing or dead smoke detectors, peeling paint (a big one in pre-1978 homes where lead is a concern), broken windows or window locks, dead stove burners, bathroom ventilation problems, and missing stair handrails. All fixable, but the landlord has to make repairs before the PHA approves the unit.

The timeline usually runs like this: tenant finds a unit, submits the RFTA, the PHA schedules an inspection (typically 7 to 15 business days out, though this varies), the inspection happens, and if the unit passes the PHA approves the lease. If it fails, the landlord gets a correction period (usually 30 days for non-emergency items). The tenant can't move in until the unit passes.

This is where voucher searches stall. A landlord who doesn't know what inspectors look for may have a unit that fails and takes weeks to fix. Experienced voucher tenants often walk a unit before submitting the RFTA and flag obvious problems to the landlord upfront. That saves everyone time.

Annual inspections work the same way. The PHA schedules them, gives advance notice, and the unit has to keep meeting HQS. Fail the annual and the PHA issues a corrective action order. If the landlord doesn't fix it, the PHA can abate (suspend) the HAP payments until repairs are done.

VoucherReady's landlord toolkit includes a pre-inspection checklist built around the 13 HQS categories, which landlords new to the program have found cuts failed inspections significantly.

Can you port a Maryland housing voucher to another state or county?

Yes, with conditions. Under 24 CFR 982.353, voucher holders who have lived in their initial unit for at least 12 months can port to any jurisdiction in the country where a PHA runs a Housing Choice Voucher program.^[3] You can port before 12 months in some cases, like moving closer to a job or when you or a family member has a disability that requires a different area.

Porting within Maryland, say from HABC in Baltimore City to HOC in Montgomery County, is simple in theory. You tell your issuing PHA (HABC here) you want to port. They send your file to the receiving PHA (HOC). HOC can either absorb the voucher (take over administration permanently) or bill the original PHA. Either way, you end up with a voucher valid in the new jurisdiction.

In practice, receiving PHAs sometimes hit capacity limits and can be slow to process incoming ports. Some drag their feet on absorbing ports when they're stretched thin. HUD rules require receiving PHAs to process ports within a reasonable time, but "reasonable" has always had some give in it.

One more thing to know. Port to a higher-cost area and your payment standard rises to the receiving PHA's standard. Port from Western Maryland to Montgomery County and your voucher suddenly covers more rent because the standard is higher. The reverse holds too: port to a lower-cost area and your payment standard drops.

Learn more about Section 8 porting rules generally, and check with your specific PHA on their procedures, since paperwork timelines differ.

What should Maryland landlords know before accepting their first voucher tenant?

The HAP contract governs everything. Read it before you sign. It lays out your obligations, the PHA's payment obligations, the inspection schedule, what happens if the tenant breaks the lease, and the conditions under which either party can terminate.

A few things surprise first-time Maryland landlords:

Rent increases: You can't raise the rent during the lease term without PHA approval. At renewal, you submit a rent increase request, and the PHA has to find the new rent reasonable before approving it. Plan increases well ahead, not at the last minute.

Tenant lease violations: If the tenant breaks the lease (nonpayment of their share, property damage, other violations), you handle it through normal Maryland eviction procedures in district court. The PHA doesn't evict tenants. You do. The PHA's HAP payments keep coming to you during the eviction unless the unit is found in violation of HQS.

Payment timing: Once the HAP contract is set up, PHA payments are reliable and come by direct deposit. Most Maryland PHAs pay on or around the first. You collect the tenant's portion separately.

Security deposits: Maryland law (Real Property Article, Section 8-203) ^[10] caps security deposits at two months' rent. Voucher holders fall under the same deposit rules as anyone else. You can't charge a voucher holder a higher deposit than a non-voucher tenant.

For landlords deciding whether to take part: the administrative load is real but finite. The first voucher tenancy is the steepest part of the learning curve. After that, it turns routine. Most housing authority sites have landlord portals where you can handle inspections, payments, and lease renewals online.

What tenant rights do voucher holders have in Maryland?

Voucher holders in Maryland have every right any Maryland renter has, plus federal protections that ride along with the voucher.

Under Maryland landlord-tenant law, you have the right to a habitable unit, proper notice before entry (generally 24 hours except in emergencies), protection from retaliatory eviction, and return of your security deposit within 45 days of move-out.^[10]

Federal voucher-specific rights include:

• The right to a hearing if the PHA moves to terminate your voucher or cut your subsidy (24 CFR 982.555).^[3]
• Protection under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): if you're a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, the PHA can't terminate your voucher because of the violence, and a perpetrator can be removed from the household without touching your voucher.
• The right to move with your voucher after 12 months under the portability rules.
• The right to an informal hearing if you disagree with the PHA's call on your income, your rent share, or the payment standard.

Maryland's source-of-income law also gives you recourse if a landlord or property manager refuses to rent to you because of your voucher. File a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights online or by calling their Baltimore office.^[8]

HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) handles federal fair housing complaints when the issue also involves race, disability, national origin, sex, religion, or familial status.^[11] You have one year from the discriminatory act to file with HUD.

If your dispute is with your PHA over voucher administration, your first step is requesting a formal hearing through the PHA. If that doesn't resolve it, HUD's local field office for Maryland is the Baltimore Field Office, which handles complaints about PHA administration.

Are there special Maryland voucher programs for seniors, veterans, or people with disabilities?

Yes, several, and they're worth knowing because they often carry shorter or separate waitlists.

HUD-VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing): A joint HUD-VA program that gives vouchers to homeless or at-risk veterans, paired with VA case management. In Maryland, HUD-VASH vouchers run through PHAs working with the VA Maryland Health Care System. If you're a veteran experiencing homelessness, contact the VA or the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans (1-877-4AID-VET).^[12] HUD-VASH has its own allocation and waitlist, separate from the general program.

Mainstream Vouchers: Aimed at non-elderly people with disabilities who are leaving institutional care or at risk of it. DHCD runs some of these in Maryland. Contact DHCD or ask your local PHA.

Elderly and disabled preferences: Many Maryland PHAs give preference points or separate waitlist pools when the head, co-head, or spouse is 62 or older or has a qualifying disability. This can shorten your wait meaningfully. Low income senior housing options sometimes overlap with these preferences.

Maryland Rental Assistance Program (MRAP): DHCD has run short-term state-funded rental assistance programs, including during and after the COVID period. These sit apart from the federal voucher program and tend to be emergency or transitional, not ongoing subsidies.

Bridge to Excellence: Some Maryland counties run locally funded bridge programs for households already on the federal voucher waitlist but not yet called. Ask your local social services office.

For people with disabilities: if your disability means a standard unit doesn't meet your accessibility needs, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation from the PHA, including a unit with specific accessibility features, a larger bedroom count for a live-in aide, or extra time on your voucher search.

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply for a housing voucher in Maryland?

Apply directly to the local public housing authority (PHA) that covers the area where you want to live. There is no statewide single application. Most Maryland PHAs only open their waitlists periodically, sometimes for just a few days, so you need to monitor PHA websites and MD211 for announcements. When a waitlist opens, submit your pre-application with basic household and income information as quickly as possible.

Is Section 8 the same as a housing voucher in Maryland?

Yes. "Section 8" is the common name for the Housing Choice Voucher program, named after Section 8 of the Housing Act of 1937. HUD now officially calls it the Housing Choice Voucher program, and PHAs use that term in their paperwork. In everyday conversation in Maryland and everywhere else, Section 8 and housing voucher mean the same thing for tenant-based rental assistance.

What are the income limits for housing vouchers in Maryland?

Income limits depend on your county and household size. Generally, your gross income must be at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for your area. For a family of four in the Baltimore metro area, the 50% AMI limit in 2024 was $52,750. For the DC suburbs (Montgomery and Prince George's counties), it was $72,150. HUD updates these limits annually and publishes them at HUD.gov.

How long is the Section 8 waiting list in Maryland?

It depends entirely on which PHA you apply to. Baltimore City (HABC) typically has waits of 3 to 7 years for standard applicants. Montgomery County HOC has reported waits exceeding 7 years in recent periods. Smaller rural PHAs in Western Maryland or the Eastern Shore may have shorter waits. There's no official statewide average; check each PHA's website or call them directly for their current estimate.

Can a Maryland landlord refuse to accept a housing voucher?

No. Maryland law (Real Property Article, Section 20-705, enacted 2020) prohibits discrimination based on source of income, including housing vouchers. This covers essentially all private rental housing in Maryland. A landlord who refuses to rent to you solely because you have a voucher is violating state law. File a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights. Landlords can still reject applicants for legitimate non-voucher reasons.

How much rent will a Maryland housing voucher cover?

The PHA covers the difference between 30% of your adjusted monthly income and the payment standard for your bedroom size. The payment standard is set by each local PHA, typically between 90% and 110% of HUD's Fair Market Rent for that area. If the actual rent exceeds the payment standard, you cover the gap on top of your 30% share, but at initial lease-up your total share cannot exceed 40% of your adjusted income.

Can I use a Maryland housing voucher to rent a house instead of an apartment?

Yes. Housing Choice Vouchers can be used for single-family homes, townhouses, condos, and apartments, as long as the unit passes the HQS inspection, the rent is reasonable compared to similar unsubsidized units, and the landlord agrees to participate. There's no requirement that you rent in an apartment complex. Many voucher holders in Maryland rent single-family homes, especially in suburban and rural parts of the state.

What happens at a Maryland Section 8 HQS inspection?

A PHA inspector visits the unit and checks it against HUD's Housing Quality Standards across 13 categories including structure, plumbing, heating, electrical, smoke detectors, and lead-based paint (especially for pre-1978 units). Common failures include missing smoke detectors, peeling paint, and inoperable appliances. The unit must pass before the tenant moves in. Annual inspections happen every year after that to maintain the HAP contract.

Can I move to a different Maryland county with my housing voucher?

Yes, after 12 months in your initial unit you can port your voucher to a different county or city in Maryland, or even to another state. Notify your issuing PHA, they send your file to the receiving PHA, and you get a new voucher valid in the new area with that PHA's payment standards. Porting to higher-cost counties like Montgomery or Prince George's means a higher payment standard, so your voucher covers more rent.

Are there housing vouchers specifically for veterans in Maryland?

Yes. The HUD-VASH program provides vouchers specifically for homeless or at-risk veterans, combined with VA case management. In Maryland, HUD-VASH operates through local PHAs in coordination with the VA Maryland Health Care System. Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-4AID-VET or your nearest VA medical center to start the process. HUD-VASH has its own allocation separate from the general voucher waitlist.

What is DHCD's role in Maryland housing vouchers?

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) operates a statewide voucher program targeted at special populations, including people with disabilities transitioning from institutional settings and people experiencing homelessness. It's not a general open-application program for any low-income household. Referrals typically come through partner agencies and Continuums of Care rather than public applications. For most families, the path is through their local county PHA.

What is the difference between tenant-based and project-based vouchers in Maryland?

Tenant-based vouchers (the standard Housing Choice Voucher) belong to you and move with you. You find any qualifying unit and the subsidy follows you. Project-based vouchers are attached to specific units in specific buildings. If you accept a project-based voucher, you have to live in that unit to receive the subsidy. Some Maryland PHAs and DHCD administer project-based vouchers, often in affordable housing developments, with separate waitlists from the tenant-based program.

How do I report source-of-income discrimination by a Maryland landlord?

File a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) at mccr.maryland.gov or by calling their Baltimore office. You can also file a federal fair housing complaint with HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) at hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp if the discrimination also involves a protected class like race or disability. Maryland gives you up to two years to file with MCCR; HUD gives you one year.

Can I be evicted from my home if I have a Section 8 voucher in Maryland?

Yes. A housing voucher does not exempt you from eviction under Maryland landlord-tenant law. If you violate your lease (nonpayment of your rent share, property damage, other lease breaches), your landlord can pursue eviction in Maryland District Court through the normal process. Your PHA can also terminate your voucher for serious or repeated lease violations, drug-related criminal activity, or fraud. Both actions are separate but can happen at the same time.

Sources

1. HUD.gov, Public Housing Agency (PHA) Contact Information: HUD maintains a searchable directory of all local PHAs administering Housing Choice Voucher programs, including those in Maryland
2. HUD, 24 CFR Part 982, Housing Choice Voucher Program Regulations: Federal regulations require at least 75% of new vouchers go to households at or below 30% AMI; cap tenant share at 40% of adjusted income at initial lease-up; and govern portability after 12 months of occupancy
3. HUD.gov, FY2024 Income Limits Documentation System: The 50% AMI income limit for a family of four in the Baltimore metro area was $52,750 and in the Washington DC metro area was $72,150 in FY2024
4. HUD.gov, FY2024 Fair Market Rents: HUD publishes annual Fair Market Rents by bedroom size for each metro area and county, including Maryland jurisdictions listed in the table
5. HUD, Picture of Subsidized Households: HUD's Picture of Subsidized Households database shows the number of housing vouchers administered by each PHA and tenant demographic characteristics
6. Maryland General Assembly, Real Property Article Section 20-705: Maryland law enacted in 2020 prohibits housing discrimination based on source of income, explicitly including housing vouchers, covering essentially all private rental housing in Maryland
7. Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR): The MCCR is the state agency that accepts and investigates housing discrimination complaints, including source-of-income discrimination by landlords
8. Maryland Attorney General, Landlord-Tenant Law Guide, Real Property Article Section 8-203: Maryland law caps security deposits at two months' rent and requires return within 45 days of move-out; applies equally to voucher and non-voucher tenants
9. HUD.gov, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO): HUD's FHEO accepts federal fair housing complaints including those involving race, disability, national origin, sex, religion, or familial status and has a one-year filing window