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Maryland Announces $135 Million in Emergency Rental Assistance

September 30th, 2021 by WCBC Radio

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development today announced the Emergency Rental Assistance Program has approved $135 million to assist 15,000 renters affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Early projections show a continued positive trend with an estimated more than $50 million in assistance to be paid out in September.

“The basis of our program, which was built in consultation with a bipartisan workgroup, has been to ensure that rental assistance is provided in an equitable way, with low barriers and a local focus,” said Secretary Kenneth C. Holt. “Our approach means that there is a long-term sustainability to the program, all while evictions are at record lows compared to before the pandemic.”

Emergency Rental Assistance Program Data. The distribution of assistance continues to rapidly accelerate: state program spending has increased by more than 60 percent from July to August. The $135 million in relief includes $65.7 million in state program spending and $69.4 million in direct relief by local jurisdictions. Six counties—Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Howard, Prince George’s and Wicomico—have utilized approximately 50 percent or more of their allocated resources to help tenants and landlords.