WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone (all Md.) today announced more than $68 million in American Rescue Plan funding to help families keep roofs over their heads and to prevent homelessness throughout Maryland amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The severe economic impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency have increased homelessness and housing instability in communities across the country,” the lawmakers said. “This urgently needed federal support will help Maryland families secure safe and affordable housing as we work to control the spread of the virus and recover from the pandemic.”
The American Rescue Plan provides $5 billion nationally for state and local governments to finance supportive services, affordable housing and non-congregate shelter for hundreds of thousands of Americans experiencing homelessness.
The funding will primarily benefit:
- Individuals or households that are homeless or are at risk of homelessness.
- People fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual assault or human trafficking.
- Individuals or families who are currently homeless or at high risk of housing instability.
- Households with a veteran family member at risk of homelessness, domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault or human trafficking.
The funding includes:
- $23,971,559 for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development to distribute to counties that do not receive a direct allocation.
- $15,456,082 for Baltimore City
- $7,592,085 for Prince George’s County
- $7,471,986 for Baltimore County
- $7,310,978 for Montgomery County
- $2,800,473 for Anne Arundel County
- $1,821,904 for Harford County
- $1,757,012 for Howard County
Last year, the lawmakers announced more than $48 million in CARES Act funding to help counties and cities in Maryland respond to the economic and housing impacts of COVID-19.
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