# Housing and Community Development (GHS)

## Title 7. Assisted Housing Preservation Act

### Subtitle 2. Protected Actions

#### Section 7-220

(a)

  (1) After notice and public hearing, a political subdivision may find that, because of a protected action, a low-income and moderate-income rental housing emergency exists in all or part of its jurisdiction.

  (2) The political subdivision shall make findings as to:

    (i) the nature and incidence of protected actions;

    (ii) the resulting hardship to and displacement of tenants; and

    (iii) the scarcity of low-income and moderate-income rental housing.

(b)

  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, on finding that there is an emergency under this section, a political subdivision may enact a law, ordinance, or regulation to:

    (i) grant to a designated household a right to an extended lease for a period in addition to that granted under Sec. 7-214 of this subtitle; or

    (ii) extend any other provision of this subtitle concerning extended leases.

  (2) A political subdivision may not require that:

    (i) more than 20% of assisted units in an assisted project be set aside for extended leases for designated households; or

    (ii) the term of an extended lease for any household made a designated household by the political subdivision exceed 3 years.

  (3) The political subdivision may require that the notice required under Sec. 7-216(a)(3) of this subtitle be modified to disclose the effects of any actions taken under this section.

(c) Within 10 days after enacting a law, ordinance, or regulation in accordance with this section, a political subdivision shall send a copy to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Housing and Community Development.

---

Md. Code Ann., Hous. & Cmty. Dev. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)