By Melissa Baltimore
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Howard County has received an additional $7.7 million in rent relief funding from the U.S. Treasury through its Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), county officials said.
The money will go towards rental relief and utility assistance. The county had already receiving $9.7 million in March, according to a press statement by County Executive Calvin Ball.
Through the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Howard County residents can apply for rental assistance for up to 18 months to help pay for past due rent and utilities from income loss or reduction due to COVID-19.
“This second round of funding is a testament to Howard County’s efficiency in distributing funding to our community,” Ball said. “The initial ERAP grant has already helped more than 719 households, and with this additional funding, we can continue to support our neighbors who have significant needs as they manage past-due rents and utilities.”
Residents seeking to apply for assistance must provide proof of residency and COVID-related income loss between March 2020 and September 2021 to a non-profit provider that is listed on the DHCD’s website.
“The County appreciates the confidence of our federal partners to invest additional funds in Howard County,” said Department of Housing and Community Development Director Kelly Cimino. “The housing department team is committed to supporting our nonprofit partners as they provide assistance to as many struggling residents as possible.”
Combined county, state and federal efforts have allowed Howard County to support more than 1,600 households with rent and utility assistance and distributed $13 million in funds as of Oct. 1, according to the press release.
Howard County residents interested in rent and utility assistance can find information with links to nonprofits providing rent assistance on the DHCD’s website here.