$2M Housing Stability Fund Being Considered In Montgomery County

ROCKVILLE, MD — The Montgomery County Council may create a $2 million special appropriation that would fund emergency eviction prevention and housing stabilization programs for low- and middle-income households.

Spearheaded by Councilmember Evan Glass (D-At Large), the funds would provide short-term rental subsidies to cost-burdened residents hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. The county's Department of Health and Human Services would oversee the programs.

"As we continue our work of speaking with our constituents and making sure that everybody is safe and healthy, we also know that people need to be housed," Glass said at Tuesday's council session. "And if they can't afford to live in their home, they won't have a home to be safe in. And the last thing we need is more people leaving their homes for whatever reasons and going into any of the shelters where we're already trying to take care of those who are experiencing homelessness."

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Since Maryland reported its first three coronavirus cases nearly seven weeks ago, 2,768 people have tested positive for the virus in Montgomery County, according to health officials.

In a bid to stem the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, Gov. Larry Hogan ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses and issued a stay-at-home order for the state's 6 million residents last month.

While health officials say these measures have helped slow the spread of COVID-19, a drop in foot traffic has had a devastating impact on local businesses.

Since the first week of March, which is around the same time Maryland reported its first coronavirus cases, 302,784 Marylanders have applied for unemployment benefits.

In Montgomery County, lawmakers have approved a number of multi-million-dollar emergency relief programs for businesses and hospitals.

Glass said the $2 million special appropriation he introduced on Tuesday is part of a larger emergency relief solution for struggling county residents.

"The $2 million is just one part of the four-part solution that is being put forth," he said. "Collectively, as a council, we sent a letter to the county executive saying money is one part of the need, but we also need some regulatory changes, as well."

Here is what the four-part solution entails:

1. Putting in place temporary administration changes to expand eligibility standards for rental assistance programs.
   1. This includes waiving requirements (i.e., eviction and court orders) and expanding the qualifications to be more inclusive of cost-burdened renters hit hard by COVID-19.
2. Supporting "an initial $2 million supplemental to cover the expected demand from expanding qualifications for eviction prevention, housing stabilization and rapid rehousing."
   1. This is in addition to modifying the income requirements for certain households and allowing assistance grants more than once in a 12-month period.
3. Leveraging private sector investment and partnerships with landlords so renters have a six-month transition after emergency evictions are lifted.
4. Establishing a multi-lingual hotline within the Housing Stabilization Unit.

Click here to read Glass' letter to Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich.

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