Nearly $500,000 has been raised through a relief fund for families affected by the March 3 fire and explosion at the Friendly Garden Apartments on Lyttonsville Road in Silver Spring.
The Montgomery Housing Partnership (MHP) relief fund has raised more than $495,000, according to an update from MHP. Financial assistance has been distributed to more than 80 families.
During a media briefing Wednesday, Patrick Campbell, Senior Emergency Manager for Mass Care and Recovery with county Health and Human Services, said almost $70,000 has been distributed to residents so far.
Campbell said the county has also worked with property management to deal with reimbursements of security deposits and rent checks.
“That way these folks have tools in their hand very quickly to begin recovery,” he said. 41 families were displaced: 124 adults and 36 children.
The county is working with each family on an individual basis to identify short-term and long-term housing needs.
“Sometimes they can be quick placements in apartments, sometimes it may temporarily be a hotel or an Airbnb and other options like that,” said Campbell.
County Executive Marc Elrich said the Paddington Square Apartments in Silver Spring were identified as an option for a number of residents.
“And we’re going to continue to work with our nonprofit partners to identify units, so that all the people who are going to be permanently displaced can get back into permanent housing as quickly as possible,” Elrich said.
The effort to bring relief to residents impacted by the Friendly Garden Apts explosion continues. Distribution of funds began this week, as donations reached more than $495,000. All donations will go to help 150+ affected residents. More here: https://t.co/hv72PbThjj pic.twitter.com/pYnQlSkn06
— MHP (@MHPartners) March 9, 2022
