County Launches $59 Million Rent Relief Program

Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is currently accepting applications for eligible Montgomery County renters in need of financial assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis while funds are available.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted the economic wellbeing of our poorest and most vulnerable renters and we must do everything in our power to keep them in their homes,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich.

Eligible households may receive up to $12,000 and those below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI), may receive additional financial help. Households that have already received a COVID-19 Rent Relief Grant, a State-Assisted Housing Relief Program grant or housing-voucher recipients are still eligible.

County tenants who are interested in the program must meet the following criteria:

• Have experienced a loss of income due to COVID-19
• Gross household income from previous 30 days at or below 50% of AMI
• Have been a Montgomery County resident since August 2020
• Owe at least $1,000 or more in rent

Applications will not be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis but through factors such as location, employment status, and eviction status. DHHS will also prioritize applications through their Homeless Prevention Index to evaluate all Montgomery County neighborhoods based on COVID-19 impact, housing stress and social determinants. This will ensure that communities of color, who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, will receive financial assistance.

More information on the COVID Rent Relief Phase 3 Program, including the application for new and returning applicants, can be found here.

About Jasmine Boykin

Jasmine Boykin was an intern with Montgomery Community Media in the spring of 2021. At the time, she was studying multimedia journalism and Spanish at the University of Maryland.

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