Securing Justice Through Sustainable Funding: The ACE Program’s Mission
In 2021, Maryland became a national trailblazer by enacting the ACE law, guaranteeing income-qualified tenants the right to legal representation in eviction proceedings. This landmark legislation addresses the significant imbalance in representation: prior to its passage, over 90% of landlords had legal counsel, while over 90% of tenants did not. With eviction disproportionately affecting Black women and single mothers, the ACE law also aims to make Maryland’s justice system more equitable.
The ACE Program’s objectives are threefold:
- Ensure tenants receive fair eviction proceedings.
- Reduce eviction rates statewide.
- Keep more Maryland families in their homes.
Since its inception, the ACE Task Force has worked tirelessly to evaluate services, explore funding opportunities, and recommend improvements to the program’s implementation.
The ACE Task Force and Its Role
The ACE Task Force was established under the ACE law to monitor the program’s progress, address implementation challenges, and ensure that funding needs are met. Comprising a diverse group of stakeholders, including legal aid organizations, tenant advocacy groups, and representatives from the Maryland State Bar Association, the Task Force brings a holistic perspective to the program’s development. Each year, the Task Force issues a comprehensive report to the Governor and General Assembly, outlining findings and providing actionable recommendations.
In its latest report, the Task Force highlighted the program’s successes, such as the resolution of over 9,100 cases in 2024 and identified ongoing challenges, including funding gaps and attorney staffing shortages. The report emphasizes the critical need for sustainable funding and systemic improvements to ensure the program’s continued success.
Since then a report by the ACE evaluation entity, Stout Risius Ross also found that the ACE law kept 88% of the tenants who wanted to continue to remain in their home, housed, returned almost $4 back to the state for every $1 spent and helped the state realize savings of over $45M.
Funding the ACE Program: Challenges and Recommendations
The ACE Program’s success hinges on reliable and permanent funding. Initial seed funding was secured in 2022, with $11.8 million allocated for FY2023 and $14 million for FY2024. Subsequent advocacy efforts resulted in an additional three years of funding at $14 million annually through FY2027. However, with expenditures currently around $20 million annually and projected to rise to $24 million, the program faces a significant funding gap, with a sunset of all funding looming at the end of FY2027
Currently, $14 million of the ACE Program’s budget comes from the state’s abandoned property fund. The remaining funds are secured through state and federal grants. To bridge the gap and ensure the program’s sustainability, the ACE Task Force has made the following recommendations:
- Make the $14 Million Funding Permanent The General Assembly should lift the sunset clause on the abandoned property fund allocation to provide a stable financial foundation for the ACE Program.
- Supplemental Funding Additional funding between $6 million and $10 million annually is necessary to meet the program’s growing needs, particularly as eviction filings remain high across the state.
- Address Staffing Challenges Competitive salaries for ACE attorneys and staff are critical. Civil legal aid organizations face significant recruitment and retention challenges, with salaries often falling behind those of other public service legal roles, such as prosecutors and public defenders. Enhancing compensation will strengthen the pipeline of attorneys dedicated to ACE’s mission.
- Leverage Increased Filing Fees The recent increase in eviction filing fees and general filing fees in District and Circuit Courts, part of the 2024 Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act, is expected to generate additional revenue. While the exact impact remains uncertain, this adjustment aligns Maryland’s fees with regional averages and may help reduce the overall number of filings.
Why It Matters for Maryland Attorneys
For attorneys across Maryland, the ACE Program offers an opportunity to directly impact the lives of vulnerable residents while contributing to a more balanced and fair judicial system. The program’s success benefits not only tenants but also the broader legal community by increased judicial efficiency and fostering more equitable outcomes.
Moreover, the ACE Program’s success is a testament to the power of advocacy and the vital role attorneys play in shaping public policy. By supporting the program’s funding initiatives, Maryland’s legal professionals can ensure that access to counsel remains a cornerstone of the state’s justice system.
The Path Forward
As the ACE Program approaches its full implementation target date of October 1, 2025, the call for sustainable funding grows more urgent. Maryland attorneys have a unique opportunity to champion this cause, advocating for the General Assembly to secure the resources necessary to uphold this transformative program.
By lifting the funding sunset and addressing key challenges through SB154/ HB103, Maryland can solidify its role as a national leader in access to justice. Together, we can ensure that the ACE Program continues to protect the rights of tenants and strengthen the integrity of our legal system for years to come.