Last Friday, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced a second round of “HoCo RISE” rental assistance funding, with an additional $800,000 in CARES Act funds to support residents struggling to pay rent because of the pandemic.

Beginning on Oct. 5, Howard County residents can apply for up to three months of assistance to pay past due rent. The additional $800,000 of funding available will add to the already disbursed nearly $1.6 million granted in round one. The County has also previously awarded $770,356 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to the Howard County Housing Commission and Bridges to Housing Stability. Earlier this month the County announced it was also providing $60,000 to Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) to assist residents facing eviction and other legal challenges as a result of the pandemic.

“The longer this pandemic stretches on, the more urgent rental and eviction relief becomes,” said Ball. “With more than 23,000 renters in the county, and more than 46,000 residents who have filed for unemployment, we are doing all that we can to keep people safely housed. This $800k is in addition to nearly $1.6 million we provided in rental assistance earlier this year. As we continue to battle this virus, we must deliver the necessary relief and services to make sure no one falls through the cracks.”

From the press release:

Efforts to secure additional funding are ongoing, as Howard County is seeking $2 million in support from the Maryland Eviction Prevention Partnership Grant program. The application for additional funds will be posted on the Howard County DHCD website on September 21st, and public comment will be accepted through September 25th. The County Council will concurrently consider a local resolution authorizing submission of this application at a public hearing on September 21st. If approved, the application will be submitted to the State before the October 2nd deadline.

For more information, view the press release.