Facing The Door
Resources for Renters and Homeowners Facing Eviction
Compiled By Kia Lisby with Courtesy to The Office Of County Councilmember Danielle Glaros
This year has been very challenging for most. Homes became not only a place to reside and recuperate for the next days’ work, but they have become offices, classrooms, gyms, restaurants, movie theaters and much more.
Our homes can be safe havens during these uncertain times but for many, having a home is more uncertain than ever.
With renters’ anxiety rising as the eviction freeze looms closer to expiring, communities are seeking an 11th-hour restoration of the freeze order. (See “A Matter of Urgency, A Letter Of Appeal,” click here)
But there are resources for rental assistance, eviction, foreclosure assistance, household finances and more. Maryland residents experiencing financial difficulties can reach out to housing counselors under the Housing Initiative Partnership (HIP). They offer free one-on-one counseling services via phone, email, and video. To reach the Prince George’s County Office, call 301-699-3835 and for the Montgomery County Office, call 301-916-5946.
Another resource for those facing eviction is the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development will deploy the funding across 24 local jurisdictions in Maryland. To check for eligibility requirements and timelines on the distribution of funds, visit dhcd.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx. Also, the Assisted Housing Relief Program will assist tenants affected by the pandemic. Tenants who can certify the cause of their rental delinquency is related to the pandemic are eligible. For details and information about this program, visit dhcd.maryland.gov/Pages/AHRP-NOFA.aspx.
Below is the renter’s eviction link from the PG County Office of Law.
Since March, landlords were ordered to freeze eviction. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared that landlords may not increase rent for tenants with a significant loss of income if the rent increase would take effect during the health emergency and within 90 days after the expiration of the emergency. Also, landlords may not enforce late fees or penalties for any tenant or issue notices of rent increase during the emergency and within 90 days after the expiration of the emergency.
In addition to the many other substantive provisions regarding renter’s tenancy, any new complaints filed against tenants for failure to pay rent shall be prohibited during the duration of the emergency. This provision regarding evictions applies from Apr. 3 to Aug. 31 according to Governor Hogan’s Executive Order Number 20-04-03-01.
