Today, Montgomery County officials launched the second phase of the COVID-19 Rent Relief Program with an additional $20 million.

The program will utilize federal CARES Act funding to provide financial assistance to qualifying residents. In the first phase, the County awarded $1 million, and the County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has maintained an active waitlist while streamlining the process for those requesting assistance.

From the press release:

Eligible renters must certify that they have income under 60 percent of the average median income, which is $65,529 for a family of three; that they lost income due to COVID-19; that they are rent-burdened and behind on rent; and that they have been a resident of Montgomery County since February 2020. Households may have formal or informal lease arrangements.

Approved households may receive up to $4,000 for rent arrears and/or a rent credit for future months, paid directly to the landlord when a formal lease agreement exists. Eligible households who have an informal rental arrangement will receive rental assistance based on their monthly rental costs up to $4,000. For households with informal rental arrangements that do not have a lease in their name, the grant may be provided directly to the tenant. All assistance is based on the availability of funds.

For more information, visit the County’s Rent Relief Program – Phase 2 page.