County Renters to Gather Nov. 19 to Express Concerns, Organize

Concerns over whether Montgomery County residents can afford their rental homes will form the backdrop for a regional gathering of renters, community activists and public officials this Wednesday, Nov. 19, in downtown Silver Spring.

“As demand for rental housing in the region expands, landlords have been free to raise rents to meet market rates without regard to the impact of those who already live here,” said Matt Losak, executive director of the Renters Alliance, the nonprofit organization sponsoring the event that advocates for renters and is based in Silver Spring. “We need elected officials who understand the issues of affordability and tenant security and are willing to act.”

Wednesday’s renter meeting will feature newly elected council member Tom Hucker. Hucker has chaired the Renters Alliance advisory board and is known to be a renter advocate, according to a news release from the Renters Alliance.

In addition to Hucker, there will be a panel discussion on various issues affecting renters, including predatory towing, retaliatory actions by landlords and code enforcement.

Council Member Marc Elrich, a long-time champion of renters’ rights, will also be on hand to provide his views on the future of the council in light of incoming Council President George Leventhal’s decision last week to remove him from the influential Planning, Housing and Economic Development committee.

The meeting will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 805 Wayne Ave. in downtown Silver Spring. The gathering will be in the church’s basement auditorium, (next to the Silver Spring Civic Center, behind Whole Foods).