Malden Coronavirus Update: Cases Rise Above 1,000

MALDEN, MA – The coronavirus case count in Malden surpassed 1,000 over the weekend. As of Monday, May 18, there were 1,031 confirmed cases of the virus across the city.

Mayor Gary Christenson and the Malden Redevelopment Authority launched the Malden Rental Assistance Fund to help low-income households unable to pay their rent due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The program will pay for one month's rent for an estimated 300-400 eligible households. Residents can apply to the program through May 28th at www.cityofmalden.org/rent.

"Our community is hurting, and it is our responsibility and our privilege to come together to help ensure that our residents stay in their homes," Mayor Gary Christenson said in a statement. "The Malden Rental Assistance Fund will make a big difference in the lives of hundreds of Malden families who are struggling to make ends meet."

The MRA is administering the rental assistance program with the help of two nonprofit housing organizations. The program is accepting applications for rental assistance through Thursday, May 28th. To apply or learn more about the program, residents can visit www.cityofmalden.org/rent.

The Malden Rental Assistance Fund is funded with $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds secured through the federal CARES Act, and with $250,000 in Malden Community Preservation Act funds. Eligible households will be entered into a lottery to determine which households will receive funding, due to the high demand for assistance.

Households that are accepted in the lottery will be invited to work with the MRA's nonprofit housing partners to complete their applications and provide backup documentation. After approval of the housing provider and the MRA, rent will be paid directly to the landlord.

The city and the MRA are also working to launch a small business assistance program to help local Malden businesses suffering in the wake of the crisis.