Many of Mount Rainier residents are living in fear
and quandary over their rent and their homes once the pandemic crisis is
lifted.
There are no real solutions out there, I for one, truly
believe that there will be a day of reckoning, and residents will feel the
burnt of some of the decisions that have been made.
However, starting May 11, 2020, there will be some
programs opened and made available to help with some of the rental crisis t in
our community. Be prepared to go after the funding. Be ready to push to get
help. Do not let anything get in your way of seeking the help you need to
retain your housing. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL MONDAY, MAY 11, 2020, to get your
documentation together.
COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance
House shaped key in the door temporary, Emergency Rental
Assistance Program (ERA) available to help with rent and utility payments for
tenants whose employment income has been negatively impacted by COVID-19. This
assistance may help prevent arrears and late fees from accumulating and prevent
evictions from occurring. Depending upon need, applicants may be eligible for a
maximum of up to $1,800.00 per month for a maximum of up to 3 months of
emergency rental assistance.
Eligibility
Renter households residing in Prince George’s County with
household incomes at or below 80% of area median income, as published by HUD
and adjusted for household size. Applicant must demonstrate that they are:
At-risk of losing their rental housing or utility
shut-off due to a COVID-19 related financial crisis and lack the financial
resources and support networks needed to remain in existing housing.
Have
a current income at or below 80% of AMI, defined by HUD, as follows based on
household size:
1-person
household: less than $54,350
2-person
household: less than $62,100
3-person
household: less than $69,850
4-person
household: less than $77,600
More
than 4-person household refer to agency for additional screening.
How
to Apply
Instructions
will be available on Monday, May 11, 2020.
Once
you submit your Intake Form, a representative will contact you to obtain your
supporting documentation.
The
Emergency Rental Assistance Program will last until all available funds are
allocated.
Documentation
& Payments
Applicants
will be required to provide supporting documentation of hardship, including,
but not limited to the following:
Verification
of Income (i.e. W-2, pay-stubs and/or tax returns, bank
statements)
Eviction
notice or correspondence from landlord indicating the tenant is in
arrears and amount owed
Unpaid
utility bill or utility shut-off notice
Fully
executed rental/lease agreement and rental addendums (front
page and signature page)
Photo
ID/identifications for all adult members of household
(i.e. MD Driver’s License, MD Government ID, Current Passport, Visa, Employment
ID)
Evidence
of Loss of Income after March 5, 2020
Other
documentation demonstrating lack of assets and savings
Payments
will be made directly to the landlord or utility company.
The
ERA Partner Agency will assess the applicant’s documentation to determine
eligibility. If applicant is only seeking utility bill assistance, all the
above documentation may not be needed.
OTHER PROGRAMS THAT MAY HELP YOU GET THROUGH
THIS!
Rental Assistance Services
There is an array of rental assistance services offered
to County residents through the Prince George's County Housing Authority.
Participants for most of these programs must come off of the existing Housing
Choice Voucher Wait List. The Housing Authority operates the Housing Choice
Voucher Program (also referred to as Section 8). Currently, the waiting list
for Section 8 is closed. Once the waiting list re-opens, it will be advertised
in the local media, newspapers and libraries.
These programs include:
Housing Choice Voucher Program -
Enables low-income families to rent an apartment, condominium, townhouse, or
single-family unit in Prince George's County.
The Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership
Program (HCVHP) - Uses a voucher subsidy that once helped
families pay rent to a landlord but can now help first-time homeowners to
purchase their own home.
Family Unification Program -
Is a partnership with the Prince George's County Department of Social Services
who screens and refers families for housing assistance when the family is in
danger of their children being placed in foster care.
The Moderate Rehabilitation Program - In
exchange for low-interest loans, owners of multi-family housing sites agree to
allocate a fixed number of units to families who qualify for rental assistance.
Rental Allowance Program - A
state-funded housing program that provides fixed monthly rental assistance
payments to eligible lower- income homeless persons and to households with
critical emergency housing needs.
Veterans Assistance Program -
Is a local housing initiative established to provide permanent housing to
homeless veterans in Prince George's County.
To learn more about the above programs, visit the Housing
Authority's website.
https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/993/Rental-Assistance-Services
