By Laura Lydic
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Baltimore County has spent $4 million since December to help 935 households avoid being evicted from their apartments because of financial hardships suffered due to the coronavirus pandemic, county officials reported this week.
The eviction assistance pilot program, which was done in partnership with United Way of Central Maryland, was funded through the CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund approved by Congress last year.
The money helped households cover rents that were past due by three to nine months. To qualify, a household had to have seniors and/or children in them and had to have lost income due to the pandemic.
“We are doing all we can to promote housing stability and support families who are struggling with rent, which is especially important during the economic recovery form the COVID-19 pandemic,” Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski said in a statement.
Vulnerable households in Essex, Halethorpe, Dundalk, Parkville, Gwynn Oak, Windsor Mill, Owings Mills, Middle River and Rosedale were targeted with the program. The county used data collected from the Urban Institute and United Way to assess which areas were especially at risk of high levels of eviction.
The program, officially called Strategic Targeted Eviction Prevention (STEP), has tenets work directly with their landlords, said Sean Naron, a spokesperson for the county executive. Funding is provided to the landlords.
United Way of Central Maryland worked with the Maryland Multi-Housing Association to recruit 23 management companies that own 91 properties in the targeted areas.
4 Comments
Hi my name is Deborah Everett I live in Dundalk Maryland as of March 1st I will do $2,400 behind my rent. I have a 13 year old daughter living with me and a 63 mother. I’m a waitress by trade that hasn’t been able to work in a while my daughter is too scared I will catch covid so she begs me to stay home. She is low on autism spectrum and has severe OCD germaphobe a major depression issues. Her father is already passed away and overdose, so losing me we’re just devastator. So if you could please help me please email me back or call me at 410-989-2978
What about the people like me who living off of there disability check and still can’t afford to get a place to live I’m living wherever from house to house where ever I can I can’t even afford a senior living home my struggle is real
Hi Deborah,
I’m sorry to hear about your situation. I think the best thing to do would be to call the county health department or the county executive’s office and find out how you can get some assistance.
John Kirch
I’ve been in need of help since July . I get ssi , I did work pt
In mid April my daughter, did not listen to the rules covid , I have autoimmune diseases as well as mental illness. She just decides to leave and do her.
She doesn’t believe covid . I Do! I’m home alone during this nitemare .
Lost family members covid
I’m worried, scared, I pray , I know to be patient
I have applied applied , Ben scammed, no money available or you (myself) is better than some people .
Now I received a letter saying that they will not renew my lease . I must leave May 31
No money , no job
No one is helping NO ONE! I was told money there , no one is touching it .
Am I gonna be homeless ?
That’s what I do , day after day , one day at a time , I’m patiently waiting , praying Praying.
I have no family , I’m at a very low point
I just cannot believe no help
But there is shelter for the people at border
Hope someone will help really.