Fourth Phase of COVID-19 Rent Relief Program Will Soon Be in Place, with Applications Available Starting Monday, May 16

Eligible Montgomery County renters can soon apply for additional COVID-19 rent relief through the fourth phase of the County’s Rent Relief program, which provides financial assistance for tenants that have experienced a financial hardship due to the COVID-19 health crisis. Administered by the County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the program will accept applications starting on Monday, May 16, through June 30.

“Addressing the economic impacts of the pandemic will take a sustained and intentional effort by governments at all levels,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We want our most vulnerable families that have been negatively affected by COVID-19 to be able to stay in their homes, and this fourth phase of rental relief funds will help us do just that. Thank you to our state and federal partners who have helped our County in this collective work to keep our families whole.”

Funding for the fourth phase comes from U.S. Department of the Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance funds in direct allocations to the County and as a sub-grantee to the State of Maryland. In the previous three phases of the program, $78 million in rental assistance has been distributed to approximately 10,500 Montgomery County households.

To be eligible for funds, households must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:

• Have experienced COVID-19 financial hardship.
• Have a household gross income from either their 2020 or 2021 tax return or the previous 30 days that is at or below 50 percent of area median income.
• Have resided in Montgomery County since at least August 2021.
• Have an obligation to pay rent, formally or informally.
• Be behind on their rental obligation by at least two months.

To apply for relief funds, visit www.mc311.com/rentrelief.

Applicants will be asked to answer questions about COVID-19’s impact on their household and some questions about household members, income and rent. They should be prepared to upload supporting documents and have the landlord’s information available. Applicants will need an email address to complete the application. If they do not have an email address, they should consider setting one up or connect with the property manager or landlord ,who can apply on their behalf.

People in households without internet access or who need assistance completing the application should call 311 (240-777-0311) to get connected with County staff or partners that can assist them in completing an application.

Renters facing an immediate loss of housing should also call 311 from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday to be connected with DHHS’ Housing Stabilization Services. For more answers to frequently asked questions about Phase Four, visit www.mc311.com/rentrelief.