Montgomery County to Launch Fourth Phase of COVID-19 Rent Relief Program, Applications Available Starting May 16

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, May 11, 2022

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 pandemic. Administered by the County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the program will accept applications starting on 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 Montgomery 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 this 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. $78 million in rental assistance has been distributed to approximately 10,500 Montgomery County households in the previous three phases of the program.

To apply for funds, households must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements. Household members must:

• 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, and
• be behind on their rental obligation by at least two months.

Visit www.mc311.com/rentrelief to apply online. Applicants will be asked to answer questions about COVID-19’s impact on their household and some questions about household members, income, and rent. Please be prepared to upload supporting documents and have the landlord’s information available. Please note applicants will need an email address to complete the application. If they do not have an email address, please consider setting one up or connecting with the property/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 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to be connected with DHHS’ Housing Stabilization Services. For more answers to frequently asked questions about Phase Four, visit www.mc311.com/rentrelief.

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Release ID: 22-278
Media Contact: Barry Hudson 240-300-7348
Categories: COVID-19