Critics slam housing policy
Opposition over ‘punitive’ rule to easily evict those who throw unsanctioned events in wake of mass shooting at block party
In the wake of a mass shooting at a block party at a South Baltimore public housing complex, the city’s housing authority is imposing a new rule on its more than 40,000 residents that would make it easier to evict them for hosting events without permission.
The agency’s five-person board voted unanimously July 18 to impose a new rule on residents’ use of utilities for parties, a response to the use of electricity during what agency officials have called the ”unsanctioned” annual Brooklyn Day celebration at Brooklyn Homes. Thirty people were wounded, two fatally, when gunfire erupted during the party early in the morning of July 2.
The housing authority’s dwelling lease already says tenants must obtain “prior written approval” before hosting events in common areas. The new change to the agency’s policies now requires residents to request permission before using electricity for those events. Failure to do so would constitute a “material violation” of the lease, according to the amendment the board approved, meaning residents could be evicted as a result.
Housing advocates and some Brooklyn Homes residents called the housing authority’s focus on regulating residents’ gatherings after the shooting misplaced and punitive.
David Prater, a managing attorney at Disability Rights Maryland, called the policy changes an “overreaction” to a tragedy that came out of residents’ attempts to hold a positive community event. Prater’s organization has represented public housing residents facing eviction.
“I don’t know of any other scenario where victims of a mass shooting have been threatened with eviction or some other measure,” Prater said. “We had all of these politicians come out and say, ‘We’re here to stay and we’re here to do good things,’ and that response was, ‘We’re going to crack down on people.’ ”
At a July 13 City Council hearing when the housing authority was questioned about its response to the shooting, Housing Authority CEO Janet Abrahams said residents did not tell housing staff about the annual event and that a former resident who used to plan Brooklyn Day died, making the event less coordinated. Abrahams said some families do not follow “proper protocols” for hosting events, and that there are consequences for violating those policies.
“The consequence is to make sure that we terminate their lease, understanding that if the Housing Authority terminates your lease, you cannot be housed in any programs across the country, because of these types of events. So we’re very careful about how we carry out consequences,” Abrahams said at the City Council hearing.
A second council hearing on the shooting is set for Sept. 13.
Housing authority spokesperson Ingrid Antonio said the agency has identified which Brooklyn Homes units supplied electricity for the July 2 party, but declined to say whether those residents will face eviction or other repercussions.
“This is an ongoing investigation and we do not want to hinder or disrupt the investigative process,”
Antonio wrote in an email to The Baltimore Sun.
Changes to a housing authority’s occupancy policies would not ordinarily impact tenants’ leases immediately, Prater said. Tenants and resident organizations have 30 days to comment on new terms before an updated lease is adopted under a U.S. Housing and Urban Development rule.
“I hope the housing authority pays attention to what residents say,” Prater said.
Antonio wrote in an email that the policy document would be uploaded to the agency’s website once it is revised. In response to further questions, Antonio wrote that “details are in development, and once finalized the agreement will be signed.”
Brooklyn Homes resident Ebony Pendergrass said the annual Brooklyn Day party that typically reunites current and former complex residents has been happening since she moved there seven years ago and that similar events take place in other communities.
“I’m not gonna sit here and blame this on the residents,” Pendergrass said. “It’s done all around: Cherry Hill, Brooklyn Day, they’ve done all of this for years.”
Indigo Null, a housing rights advocate and tenant organizer with Baltimore Renters United, said the new policy language aligns with a pattern of the agency responding to systemic issues impacting public housing tenants with “punitive measures.”
“You’re taking a community that’s already been through a really hard thing, threatening them with surveillance, more punitive responses, more problems,” Null said. “It puts tenants in a position where it almost becomes impossible to have a normal life without violating your lease.”
Null also criticized the housing authority for deflecting blame to residents instead of ensuring its own staff are responsive to residents’ everyday problems.
“They’re trying to launder the story of what happened,” they said.
Public Justice Center housing attorney Albert Turner said the housing authority already places many restrictions on the movement of public housing residents in their homes. Turner called the proposed changes “arbitrary” and “victim-blaming” and questioned what evidence there was that further regulating events would keep people safe.
Bunny Krabal, a 30-year resident of Brooklyn Homes, said the provisions of her 30-page lease are extensive.
“This is like jail,” she said, listing rules related to smoking, pools, tiki torches, car-washing and appliances.
Not everyone from Brooklyn disagrees with the added rule.
Jesseca Hussain, who moved away from Brooklyn Homes and into private housing after the July 2 shooting, said residents should get approval in advance.
“It does make sense to ask permission before you would use [utilities],” Hussain said. “You want to make sure everyone’s safe at the event.”
Residents said word of the neighborhood party that began in the afternoon of July 1 spread through flyers distributed throughout the complex.
The housing authority declined to make Brooklyn Homes’ full-time property manager available for an interview, citing the ongoing Baltimore Police investigation into the shooting. Police have arrested one person so far, a 17-year-old injured in the shooting who is charged with weapons offenses, as well as charges of inciting a riot and reckless endangerment.
The agency has not fulfilled a Maryland Public Information Act request filed July 20 by The Sun for any housing staff policies, known as operating orders, related to events on housing authority properties.
“If I can go on Facebook and know when it’s Cherry Hill Day … I believe [housing staff ] already knew about it but didn’t care,” Pendergrass said.
The board on July 18 also approved a contract already in the works to hire armed security guards from Metropolitan Protective Services to patrol each of the city’s public housing complexes, expanding a pilot program in place at four sites with United Security Services. The annual contract will cost about $2.45 million.
Brooklyn Homes’ residents largely praised the move to add security guards, although some questioned whether guards would be present during late-night hours when their presence was most needed.
Antonio wrote in an email that two guards would patrol each site during two eight-hour shifts.
At the beginning of the July 18 meeting, Antonio read aloud a letter from Abrahams, calling the shooting a “tragic, horrific act that continues to impact our community.”
Antonio said the housing authority had “an action plan” that included providing trauma support and resources with public and private partners to Brooklyn Homes residents, continuing to provide social services, using the agency’s app and social platforms to allow residents to share information and adding “transparent policies” clarifying rules for events.
“‘The Housing Authority of Baltimore City stands with our entire Brooklyn Homes community, especially individuals and families who lost loved ones and who are dealing with injuries sustained from the shooting,’ ” Antonio read from the letter. “‘We maintain our commitment to provide the necessary resources and support for our Brooklyn Homes households.’”