COVID-19 Rent Relief Program Continues to Provide Assistance to Those Impacted Financially by COVID-19

Montgomery County’s COVID-19 Rent Relief Program is continuing to provide short-term rental assistance to eligible households that have experienced a financial hardship/loss due to the COVID-19 health crisis and have fallen behind on their rent. The program does not have an application deadline. It will end when all available funds are distributed.

The program is managed by the County's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) with funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury's Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

While funds are available, the program will provide up to $12,000 to eligible households to pay back rent owed and/or pay for up to three months of future rent. For households below 30 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), additional financial help may be available. Funds awarded will take into account any other local, State or Federal assistance received to pay rent.

To apply for assistance, complete the application that can be found at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/SNHS/rent-relief.html.

Those unable to complete the online application by themselves or with assistance from their property manager or landlord can call 311 (240-777-0311) to request help. A County employee will follow-up to help with application completion.

Households must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements to be eligible for assistance:

• Have experienced a financial hardship/loss due to COVID-19
• Gross household income from previous 30 days or 2020 tax return at or below 50 percent of AMI
• Have been a Montgomery County resident since at least August 2020
• Owe at least $1,000 or more to the current landlord

The application will require the applicant to answer questions about the COVID-related impact, household members, income and rent. Applicants should be prepared to upload supporting documents and have their landlord's information available. An email address will be needed to complete the application. Residents without an email address should consider setting one up or connecting with their property manager or landlord or someone who can provide assistance.

Residents who are behind in rent and have been told by their landlord that they must leave their apartments should know that only a sheriff, with a court order, can evict a resident. Tenants can reach out to the County’s Department of Landlord and Tenant Affairs at 240-777-0311 and the Police Department non-emergency line at 301-279-8000. Additional information is available on the Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) COVID-19 website.