Bill would review exempting modest rental income from seniors’ benefit calculations

Emily Charlap, chief of staff to Delegate Lopez, told the Senate Finance Committee that House Bill 989 is intended to help older Marylanders remain in their homes by preventing modest rental income from unintentionally pushing beneficiaries off essential housing and medical assistance programs.

"When we help older Marylanders stay in their homes that they know and love, we support communities and protect our state's fiscal future at the same time," Charlap said. She described the bill as a targeted review of allowing rental income from a portion of a primary residence to be treated in a way that would not jeopardize current beneficiaries' access to programs.

Charlap cited demographic projections and program research as context: she said projections indicate older adults could make up over 25% of the population by 2040 and, at the time of the house committee, an MLS listing search turned up 440 individual rooms available statewide — evidence she said that modest shared‑housing could add supply. She emphasized the bill does not expand eligibility or change overall program income thresholds but aims to avoid a "benefits cliff" that penalizes small, supplemental rental income.

The sponsor asked for a favorable report; the committee conducted a sponsor‑only hearing and did not take an immediate vote.