Prince George’s County Relaunch of Emergency Rental Assistance Program on Thursday, March 4, 2021

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For Immediate Release                                Media Contact: Alexis Revis Yeoman

March 2, 2021                                                                               (301) 456-4369

                                                                                                 aryeoman@co.pg.md.us

 

 

Prince George’s County Relaunch of Emergency Rental Assistance Program on Thursday, March 4, 2021

 

Largo, MD --- The Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will relaunch its Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) on Thursday, March 4, 2021, offering relief to landlords on behalf of renters experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The relaunch of our Emergency Rental Assistance Program will support Prince Georgians who continue to experience financial difficulties due to the pandemic,” said Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. “This next round of funding will help provide secure and stable housing to those who need it most in our County.”

Landlords of multi-family, single-family, condominium and cooperative rental properties with eligible tenants suffering from financial difficulties or loss of income as a result of the COVID-19 public health crisis are eligible to apply if they hold a valid County rental license. Landlords may apply for each tenant’s delinquent rental payments beginning on or after April 1, 2020 for up to 12 months rental payments. The monthly amount of assistance is based on the actual rent value less all late fees, interest, and other costs associated with the tenant’s default.

For a landlord to apply for funding on behalf of their tenants, the tenants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1) have a valid lease agreement in their name;

2) the tenant’s annual income does not exceed 80% of the area median income, as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and adjusted for household size; and

3) the household has a COVID-19 triggering event such as household/tenant qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19.

If landlords are unwilling to apply for the ERAP, tenants may apply directly for rental and/or utility payment assistance. Tenants can only apply for up to 6 months of delinquent rent beginning on or after April 1, 2020. Tenants can also apply for assistance with delinquent utility bills. For tenant applications:

  • Tenants will not need to provide a Social Security number or birth certificate to apply.
  • Rental assistance will be paid directly to the landlord or management company on behalf of the tenant through ACH direct deposit. Utility assistance will be paid directly to the utility company on behalf of the tenant.
  • Tenants will be required to submit supporting documentation with their application to prove their eligibility.

DHCD is administering this program through two online portals, one for landlord applications and one for tenant applications. Instructions for each portal are available on DHCD’s ERAP webpage to assist in using the online portals. The 80% area median income tables will assist in determining tenant eligibility for the ERAP. Information, data and supporting documents from the application will be entered into the online portals by the landlord or its representative and the tenant. DHCD has partnered with several non-profit community organizations that are available to assist tenants and landlords in completing and submitting their applications.

The Prince George’s County ERAP is funded by the U.S. Department of Treasury and the through the federally funded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program via the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Since the Emergency Rental Assistance Program was first launched in May 2020, DHCD has distributed more than $10 million in emergency rental assistance to Prince George’s County residents.

Visit the DHCD website at hcd.mypgc.us and search Emergency Rental Assistance to learn more about the application process for this round of Emergency Rental Assistance Program funding and to apply starting March 4, 2021.

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