Funding Still Available To HoCo Renters Facing Eviction

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Residents facing eviction can tap into the $11.7 million still available through Howard County via the Emergency Rental Assistance Program grant from the U.S. Treasury. Howard County partners have distributed $4 million in rental assistance funding to residents and landlords so far, sparing 1,259 residents from eviction.

“Our residents still have significant needs as they manage utility bills and rent payments during this challenging time,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. “We’re tackling this issue from all sides, eventually the federal eviction moratorium will end and we want our residents to know support is available. We have rental assistance for residents and landlords available and need help in getting the word out to those possibly facing eviction.”

According to Community Action Council of Howard County President Bita Dayhoff, since July 2020, the CAC has seen a 400 percent increase in demand of its housing assistance program.

"We have received more than 1,400 applications from Howard County residents,” Dayhoff said. “We continue to receive between 30 to 40 new applications for assistance each week. As the moratorium comes to an end, we know that the weeks and months ahead may become very challenging for many Howard County residents who are struggling to make ends meet. We want them to know that we are here and will continue to be here to lend a helping hand.”

Howard County also has partnered with The United Way’s STEP (Strategic Targeted Eviction Prevention) program offering $4.6 million in rental assistance funds from the state. These funds are paid to landlords directly on behalf of tenants with past due rent balances. As of July 30, 16 landlords have signed up to participate and 89 tenant applications have been received for payment.

The county notes that if residents received assistance with past due rent and utility bills previously, they may be eligible for additional assistance up to a total of 15 months. Funding is still available and tenants impacted by COVID are encouraged to contact one of the county’s partner agencies to apply for assistance, officials noted. If residents have already received assistance from one of the following partners, they should contact the same partner for additional assistance. Household income limits apply.

The county also is assisting homeowners facing foreclosure with funds to pay up to 12 months of past due mortgage payments. Since April 2021, funding has assisted 120 residents and prevented 42 foreclosures. Homeowners unable to pay their mortgage, who are behind on their mortgage payments, or facing foreclosure due to COVID-19, can print out this application or use this fillable version and send it with all required backup documentation to foreclosureprevention@howardcountymd.gov.

*Community Action Council

• clientassistance@cac-hc.org
• 410-313-6440

Grassroots

• evictionprevention@grassrootscrisis.org
• 410-531-6677

*Luminus Network

• housinghelp@beluminous.org
• 443-832-0108

Springboard

• tjordan@scsmd.org
• 410-997-3557