FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, October 23, 2019
CONTACT: Lizette Olmos, [email protected], 240-706-2624
Diana Castaneda, [email protected], (240) 515-5561
New Report Supports Critical Need to Improve Housing Quality in Prince George’s County
Prince George’s County, MD – On Wednesday, CASA and the University of Maryland released a report “Housing Matters: Ensuring Quality, Safe, and Healthy Housing in Langley Park, MD.” The report serves as a call-to-action for tenants, advocates, and policymakers to unmask the subpar living conditions in Langley Park’s 13 apartment complexes.
The report’s documentation of 4 years of code enforcement violations underscores the need to pass the Fair Housing Act (CB-56-2019), introduced in the Prince George’s County Council this year by Councilmember Tom Dernoga. The bill would improve housing quality by updating the multi-family housing code regulations, better protect tenant rights to organize, and improve data collection.
“This important legislation will ensure that each of our residents feels secure about renting in Prince George’s County. Fair and affordable housing is a right every resident deserves, no matter their socioeconomic status,” said Council Member Tom Dernoga.
CASA’s Executive Director Gustavo Torres said, “This is a great example of the community, stakeholders, and elected officials coming together to address an important issue. This bill presents a great opportunity for Prince George’s County to live in quality housing and for the county to be an example for other jurisdictions.”
“Housing Matters: Ensuring Quality, Safe, and Healthy Housing in Langley Park, MD” is a product of CASA’s Housing Matters Coalition (HMC), which seeks to advance healthy housing, improve environmental conditions and educate low-income tenants in Langley Park.
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With over 100,000 members across the states of Maryland, Virginia, and South-Central Pennsylvania, CASA is the largest member-based Latino and immigrant organization in the mid-Atlantic region. CASA organizes with and litigates on behalf of low-wage immigrants. More information about CASA can be found at www.wearecasa.org and on Twitter at @CASAforall.
