Sep 10

Sep 10 Rent Relief

Hogan Administration Starts $16 Million in Maryland Eviction Prevention Grants

On March 16, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, Jr. issued an emergency order that prohibits Maryland courts from ordering the eviction of any tenant who can demonstrate that their inability to pay rent is COVID-19-related.

The order will remain in place during the state of emergency.

To further assist with this effort, the governor announced Sept. 9 that Maryland's 24 local jurisdictions can begin applying for Maryland Eviction Prevention Partnership grants (drawn from a $16 million grant fund), which will help support local rental assistance programs across the state.

Through the Maryland Eviction Prevention Partnership, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is awarding federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding across local jurisdictions in Maryland to prevent evictions. Applications are due October 2.

DHCD has already distributed $2.2 million in Eviction Prevention Partnership grants to eight counties, part of a $20 million partnership with Maryland's local jurisdictions. Landlords and tenants should contact their local jurisdiction for more information. For questions on how to apply to DHCD, local jurisdictions can email dhcd.rentalinfo@maryland.gov.

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In addition to this partnership with local governments, Governor Hogan also launched the Assisted Housing Relief Program, an eviction prevention effort intended to help bring rental delinquencies current and to provide real relief for tenants through direct payments to their eligible property management company. Tenants ineligible properties will be credited rent rebates paid directly to the property management company, which will eliminate their rental debt and the threat of eviction. Learn more about the program here.

"Maryland was one of the first states in the nation to implement a moratorium on evictions for tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we have backed that up with targeted relief programs," said Hogan. "These grants will help ensure more of our citizens can remain safe and secure in their homes."