Community Connections Newsletter

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Friday, December 3, 2021

Prince George's Proud:

An Update From County Executive Alsobrooks

Dear Prince Georgians:

November was a busy month in Prince George’s County! All month long, we celebrated Housing Month by highlighting our ongoing efforts to preserve, protect, and expand affordable housing options throughout our County, especially in areas where the median price of housing is expected to rise as new transit options and amenities become available.

We kicked off Housing Month showcasing the investments that the County is making alongside developers and community partners to create new affordable housing options for residents. Throughout the month, we convened subject matter experts, advocates, legislators, and the leaders of our housing agencies to discuss the affordable housing needs in our County and take a deep dive into important topics, such as housing as a racial and social justice issue and the role that philanthropy continues to play in housing investments.

We have a vision for the future of economic development in Prince George’s County, and we recognize that we cannot have quality economic development without affordable housing and resources in place to allow our current residents to remain secure in their homes. That is why we introduced the Right of First Refusal Preservation Fund, a $15 million preservation fund that will support affordable housing over the long-term and help secure the housing future for Prince George’s County.

Under the Right of First Refusal, the County’s Department of Housing and Community Development may purchase, or assign the right to purchase, multi-family buildings with 20 or more units when the owner intends to sell the property. This can prevent a new developer from coming in and tearing down the property to build new, higher-priced units in its place. Through this preservation fund, we can ensure that as our County grows, we keep housing affordable so those who have been longtime residents of our community will be able to remain in their homes.

Lastly, we launched another exciting new program that will help us build our community together. We have allocated $1 million in American Rescue Plan funds for the creation and operation of the Homeownership Preservation Program in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. This program will serve low-income Prince George’s County homeowners who reside in qualified census tracts, half of which are along the Purple Line Corridor. The Homeownership Preservation Program will provide critical repair grants to owner-occupied houses in qualified census tracts, prioritizing low-income households with the greatest need. We want to make sure the growth and prosperity of our County reaches all of our residents, and this program helps us do just that.

We are making major progress on affordable housing and are committed to doing everything possible to ensure housing stays affordable to residents living here now, and those who will choose to make Prince George’s their home in the future. Prince George’s County is set to grow over the coming decade, and our new programs launched during Housing Month will continue to help Prince Georgians stay safe and secure in their homes.

Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive


COVID-19 Updates

ERAP Application Deadline

ERAP Application Deadline

The County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will stop accepting new applications on Wednesday, December 15 at 3:00 PM. New ERAP applications will no longer be accepted after this date. The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will continue to review and process remaining applications. Closing the application portal will ensure DHCD has the funding needed to process open applications. Residents with a pending eviction case should contact the ERAP Hotline at 301-883-6504 and press 9 to notify DHCD of the pending eviction. To complete an application, visit the DCHD website here.


COVID-19 Booster Update

Boosters Update

The County Health Department is now offering booster shots of the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines to all adults 18 and older based on the latest guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). County residents ages 18 years and older are eligible to receive a booster shot if they received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago.

The FDA and the CDC allow for mix and match dosing for booster shots. Eligible individuals who prefer a vaccine brand may choose which one they receive as a booster dose, regardless of the brand they previously received. For more information on COVID-19 booster shots or to locate a vaccine clinic near you, visit the County Health Department website here.


Kids Vaccination Clinic

Kids Vaccination Clinic 2

In partnership with the County Health Department and Office of Emergency Management, we are hosting another youth vaccination clinic for County children ages 5 to 11 on Saturday, December 4, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Wayne K. Curry Sports and Learning Complex. This will be a fun, family-friendly event featuring games, prizes/giveaways, food, music, and more.  

The COVID-19 vaccine will be available to all eligible Prince George’s County residents who attend the event; however, this vaccination clinic is specifically targeting County children ages 5 to 11. COVID-19 booster shots will also be available for adults.


COVID-19 Tele-town Hall

Tele-town hall

We are hosting a COVID-19 Vaccine Tele-Town Hall on Tuesday, December 7 at 6:00 PM. Our County health officials will be providing an update on vaccines for children ages 5 to 11 and booster shots for adults ages 18 and older, as well as answering questions from residents. To register to participate, or submit questions or concerns to be addressed, click here.


PGCMLS Vaccination Clinics

PGCMLS Vaccine

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is hosting vaccination clinics at select branches throughout the County through December. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be available for County residents ages 5 and up, including booster shots for adults. For more information, visit the PGCMLS website here.


Stand Up & Deliver

SU&D Logo

We are continuing to work hard to address food insecurity in our County, and we want to provide information on upcoming distribution locations for our Stand Up & Deliver program

Saturday, December 4 at 11:30 AM (Groceries)

  • United Baptist Church – 7701 Riverdale Road, New Carrollton, MD 20784

Wednesday, December 8 at 10:00 AM (Groceries)

  • Maple Springs Baptist Church – 4131 Belt Road, Capitol Heights, MD 20748

Friday, December 10 at 12:30 PM (Groceries)

  • Victory Grace Center at Port Towns Elementary School – 4351 58th Place, Bladensburg, MD 20710

Saturday, December 11 at 10:00 AM (Groceries)

  • Ebenezer Church of God – 7550 Buchanan Street, Landover Hills, MD 20784
  • First Baptist Church of Highland Park – 6801 Sheriff Road, Landover, MD 20785
  • Kingdom Fellowship at High Point High School – 3601 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
  • Love A.M.E. Church at Capitol Heights Elementary School – 601 Suffolk Avenue, Capitol Heights, MD 20783
  • New Home Baptist Church – 8320 Landover Road, Landover, MD 20785

Additional food distribution locations can be found on our website by clicking here. This map is updated regularly. If you are able to make a contribution to our Stand Up & Deliver program, please click here to donate.


Beautification Initiatives

Don’t Forget Your Reusable Bags

Resuable Bags

Holiday shopping? Don't forget your reusable bags! Plastic bags harm our water, wildlife, and take years to break down. Learn more about how to become more environmentally friendly by visiting the Prince George’s County Part of It, Proud of It beautification campaign here.


Give Litter a Home

Give Litter a Home

Give litter a home in one of our BigBellys located around the County. Our BigBellys help us keep Prince George's County clean, reach our sustainability goals, and conserve our resources. Learn more about BigBellys here.


County News For You

School Board Transformation Task Force: Listening Session

BoE Dec. 8

The School Board Transformation Task Force will host a listening session on Wednesday, December 8, at 6:00 PM to allow residents an opportunity to provide their input regarding the County’s Board of Education. Residents can complete an interest form and submit any questions, comments, or concerns as they pertain to the County’s Board of Education. Those who wish to present their comments during the listening session must sign up by Tuesday, December 7 at 5:00 PM, and indicate that intent on the interest form. To learn more, visit the School Board Transformation Task Force website here.


Christmas Day Holiday Waste Schedule

Christmas Collection Schedule

Regular organics collection (includes food scraps and yard trim) and regular curbside trash and recycling collection will remain on schedule the week of Monday, December 20 through Friday, December 24. Most County facilities will be closed for the Christmas holiday on Saturday, December 25. For more information, visit the Department of the Environment website here.


New Year's Day Holiday Waste Schedule

New Years Schedule

Regular organics collection (includes food scraps and yard trim) and regular curbside trash and recycling collection will remain on schedule the week of Monday, December 27 through Friday, December 31. Most County facilities will be closed for the New Year’s Day holiday on Saturday, January 1. For more information, visit the Department of the Environment website here.


New Inclement Weather Policy - Department of the Environment

The Department of the Environment (DoE) has implemented a new inclement weather policy. In the event of inclement weather, residents are reminded that bulky trash, regular curbside trash and recycling, and yard trim/organics collections may be delayed or suspended due to road or weather-related conditions. For information regarding delayed or suspended collections during inclement weather, visit the County's website here or the DoE website here. Residents may also contact PGC311 for updates to County services during inclement weather. Remember that all collections can occur anytime from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. For more information on the County's inclement weather policy for trash and recycling collections, visit the DoE website here.

1 Day of Inclement Weather

1 Day Trash

In the event of a one-day inclement weather event causing suspension of trash and recycling collection services, all services will shift by one day through the end of the week.


2 Days of Inclement Weather

If trash and recycling collections need to be suspended for two consecutive days due to inclement weather, the collection schedule will be as follows:

Tuesday Trash

Your regular collection day is Tuesday and services are suspended: collections will be picked up on Thursday.


Wednesday Trash

Your regular collection day is Wednesday and services are suspended: collections will be picked up on Friday.


Thursday Trash

Your regular collection day is Thursday and services are suspended: collections will be picked up on Saturday.


Friday Trash

Your regular collection day is Friday and services are suspended: collections will be picked up on the following Monday.


Yard Trim and Bulky Trash

Yard Trim

Monday yard trim/organics collections suspended due to severe weather will be collected on the following Monday. Monday yard trim/organics collections will also be suspended if the previous Friday trash and recycling collections are missed.

Bulky trash collections suspended due to severe weather will be collected within seven (7) days. Residents will be contacted with a new collection date within that timeframe.


World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day

Wednesday, December 1 was World AIDS Day, an opportunity for Prince George’s County and people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV. Started in 1988, World AIDS Day is also a chance to show support for people living with HIV and commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.

Our Health Department’s Cancel HIV public awareness campaign is uniting Prince Georgians and our partners, not just on Worlds AIDS Day, but every chance it gets to reduce the spread of the virus in our communities and enhance support and treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS or those at-risk of getting infected.

Check out the Cancel HIV campaign’s latest commercial running on local television. The spot features an in-depth conversation about how HIV treatment is prevention.

Call 301-583-3150 or visit the County Health Department website here for more information about HIV services, which include testing, treatment, and support.


PSAP Annual Holiday Food Basket Program

PSAP 2021

The Prince George’s County Public Safety Assistance Program (PSAP) is hosting the 37th Annual Bill Milligan Holiday Food Basket Program to support families in need in Prince George’s County during the holiday season. We encourage residents to get involved by donating canned goods or non-perishable food items at various locations throughout the County. For more information, contact Fire Fighter Willie Thompson at 240-832-5789.


DPIE Tows Illegally Parked Vehicle
During Cleanup

DPIE

As a part of the Clean It and Lien It! program, the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement’s (DPIE) Enforcement Division recently contracted for the towing of an illegally parked car in a driveway in Bowie. The Clean It and Lien It! program allows properties in violation to get into compliance with the County’s property maintenance requirements. Prince George’s County Code prohibits the parking of unregistered, wrecked, or dismantled vehicles. Residents can report suspected illegally parked vehicles to PGC311.


National Adoption Day 2021:
Plant a Seed, Grow a Family!

Adoption Day

On Saturday, November 20, the Department of Social Services (DSS) celebrated National Adoption Day! The Foster Care and Adoption Bureau of the Child, Adult and Family Services Division hosted a drive-thru event to celebrate adoptive parents of the past 3 years with much fanfare. Many team members came together on this day to celebrate the victory of creating forever families for children in foster care. This year's theme was Plant a Seed, Grow a Family! 28 families were in attendance and each family received a gardening kit with seeds and gardening tools to use together to start their future gardens. Families enjoyed the day taking pictures and sharing their sentiments on what National Adoption Day means to them. Check out this video highlighting the DSS National Adoption Day celebration.


Spotlight On Prince George's

Shirley Chisholm 2021 Sisters to Watch

HH chisholm

Higher Heights for America recently named County Executive Alsobrooks to the Shirley Chisholm 2021 Sisters to Watch List. This list celebrates and recognizes many amazing and powerful Black women in public office across the country. Congratulations to all the women recognized this year. Check out more about the Shirley Chisholm 2021 Sisters to Watch List and view the entire list of honorees here.


Prince Georgian Wins Gold at AIBA

Jahmal Harvey

Congratulations to Prince Georgian Jahmal Harvey on recently winning the gold at the AIBA International Boxing Association World Championship! Jahmal is one of two Americans to bring home a world title for the first time since 2007. Check out this article featuring Jahmal’s win!


Prince George’s County Youth Football Team Heads to National Championship

Football Team

Photo Courtesy of WUSA9

We want to congratulate the DMV Knights DaWave Boyz on their undefeated season! This Prince George’s County youth football team is heading to compete at the American Youth Football National Championship in Florida. They played this season in memory of PJ Evans. Learn more about the team and their season in this story from WUSA9.