Montgomery County’s rental assistance program, administered by the Housing Opportunities Commission, will accept applications starting Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 10 a.m. and continuing through Monday, Aug. 31 at 2 p.m. The program is funded through the CARES Act to provide low-income households with assistance for up to three months to avoid eviction.
📢 Applications will open at 10 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, Aug. 18) for the #COVID19 Rental Assistance Program. Details: https://t.co/Y4HO3Vhuyx. @MCGMDDHCA @HOCMC pic.twitter.com/dhNOaa1XFY
— Montgomery County MD (@MontgomeryCoMD) August 17, 2020
The COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program is intended to provide partial rent support to low-income county households that have experienced income loss due o the COVID-19 health crisis. The application has been streamlined with reduced documentation requirements to address the difficulties experienced with the program in June. All prior applicants who were not successful in June should reapply.
Applicants must meet eligibility requirements that include low-income, income loss or new expenses due to the health crisis, are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, be at least one month behind on rent, and a county resident for six of the prior twelve months.
The program will provide a maximum of $600 per month for up to three months. All assistance is based on the availability of funds.
A sample application form and Frequently Asked Questions are available online, here.
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 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 | $86,00 | $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.
Previous Posts:
County Responds to Landlord and Tenant Concerns Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program Application Deadline Approaching
Council Approves Funding for COVID-19 Rental Assistance and Housing Stabilization
