Press Releases
Montgomery County Streamlines Short-Term COVID-19 Rental Assistance: Applications Open Tuesday, Aug. 18
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, August 11, 2020
Montgomery County will relaunch a COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program for tenants who meet eligibility requirements. The Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (HOC) will administer the program and accept applications and supporting documents from 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18 through 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31. Applications will be reviewed using a random selection method from the final pool of applications received by the deadline.
The COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program is intended to provide partial rent support to low-income County households that have experienced income loss due to the COVID-19 health crisis. The application has been substantially streamlined with reduced documentation requirements to address the difficulties experienced initially and all prior applicants who were not successful have been encouraged to reapply.
County renters who apply for COVID-19 Rental Assistance must certify that they have income under a certain amount; that due to COVID-19 they lost income or had certain new expenses; and, that they are a U.S. citizen or qualified alien (e.g., permanent resident). Applicants must be at least one month behind on their rent and have been a resident of the County for six of the prior twelve months.
Approved households may receive a maximum of $600 per month for up to three months, paid to their landlord. All assistance is contingent on the availability of funds.
A sample application form (in PDF) and Frequently Asked Questions are available now at https://hocmc.org/extra/878-covid-rental-assistance-program.html
To guide residents in gathering information needed to apply, the website includes more detail about program requirements and supporting documents for the application. Once the application process opens on August 18, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application online at https://hocmc.org/extra/878-covid-rental-assistance-program.html
Supporting eligibility documents should be submitted along with the application by 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31. Applications received without the necessary documentation will not be processed or considered.
If an applicant is unsure of something, they should contact the HOC for clarification.
Those unable to complete the application online may pick up a paper application beginning Aug. 17, 2020 and submit a completed paper application and required documents. Those applications must be placed in the designated drop box outside one of four HOC locations. As with online applications, paper applications will be accepted from 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, through 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31. The four locations with paper forms, time-stamp equipment and drop boxes are:
- 10400 Detrick Ave. Kensington
- 231 East Deer Park Dr., Gaithersburg
- 101 Lakeforest Blvd, No. 200, Gaithersburg
- 880 Bonifant St., Silver Spring
The maximum allowable annual income for applications to the COVID-19 Rental Assistance program is listed below.
Family Size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Income Limit | $55,750 | $63,700 | $71,650 | $79,600 | $86,000 | $92,350 | $98,750 | $105,100 |
The COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program is funded through the CARES Act as a Community Development Block Grant to provide low-income households with assistance for up to three months to support meeting housing obligations and avoid eviction. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents or other qualified aliens. (8 U.S.C. 1641).
Residents who have questions or require assistance with the COVID-19 Rental Assistance program are encouraged to contact HOC by sending email to CDBG_RAP@hocmc.org. Alternatively, residents can reach specialists at the HOC Call Center to answer basic program questions by calling 240-627-9400 or sending email to help@hocmc.org.
Renters facing an immediate loss of housing should call 311 (240-777-0311) to discuss their situation with Montgomery County Housing Stabilization Services.
For the latest Reopening Montgomery updates, visit the County’s website and follow Montgomery County on Facebook @MontgomeryCountyInfo and Twitter @MontgomeryCountyMD.
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Release ID: 20-430Media Contact: Lorraine Driscoll 240-777-3627