By Taylor Stronsky
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
County Executive Calvin Ball announced Tuesday that Howard County will receive $2 million in Community Development Block Grant funding from Maryland to help prevent evictions.
“As we continue to battle the second wave of this virus, we must put into place adequate support programs and infrastructure to make sure no one falls through the cracks,” Ball said.
Eligible households that experienced a loss of income because of COVID-19 can receive up to six months of rental assistance. Ball said that the funding will be distributed through the Howard County Community Action Council.
Currently, Howard County has allocated $1.6 million in CARES Act funding and $1.9 in Community Development Block Grants program funds to support rental assistance and eviction relief.
“With more than 23,000 renters in the county, the need for rental assistance and eviction prevention has exceeded the already $3.5 million in relief we’ve allocated to date,” Ball said. “I’m thankful to the governor for providing this additional funding to ensure that our residents stay safe and housed for the next several months.”
The Howard County Department of Housing and Community Development has provided up to three months rental assistance to more than 800 families who lost income because of COVID-19, Ball said.
Gov. Larry Hogan on Monday awarded just over $19 million in “Maryland Eviction Prevention Partnership Grants” across 17 local jurisdictions. Along with Howard County, Baltimore City will receive $2 million and Baltimore County $3 million.
Back in March, the governor issued an emergency order that prohibits Maryland courts from ordering the eviction of any tenant who cannot pay rent as a result of the pandemic.