August 20, 2021

Dear Neighbor:

From the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have said that Americans would need help making rent as they lost their jobs and watched the economy shut down through no fault of their own. Successful efforts to extend the federal eviction moratorium have reminded us that the need for rental relief is as urgent now as it was at the onset of the pandemic.

I’ve been working to bring funding and assistance to our communities in the Eighth District throughout the pandemic, and today I’d like to share some resources for the District’s renters and landlords who may be struggling under the weight of the recession caused by COVID-19. Please find below a selection of national, state and local rental assistance resources for people whose livelihoods have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

All Best,

Jamie Raskin

National and State Resources

If the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented you from making rent, you are entitled to COVID-19 rental assistance payments from your local government regardless of whether you live in a county affected by the CDC’s eviction moratorium order.

• If you or someone you know is having trouble paying rent, see this overview of rental assistance options from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The overview is additionally available in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog and Arabic.
• If you’re looking to share rental assistance resources in your community, consider these flyers from the CFPB for renters (Spanish version).
• The CFPB also has a tool to find a local housing counselor to provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures and credit issues. Find that tool here.
• Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development has put together this web page with information and instructions to access rental assistance and assisted housing relief. 

Montgomery County Rental Assistance Resources

• To apply for COVID-19 rental assistance in Montgomery County, visit the county’s COVID-19 Rent Relief Program page. If you are unable to access or complete the online application, you may call MC 311 (240-777-0311) to speak with a county representative who may assist you over the phone.
• Please also see the FAQ’s prepared by the county in Amharic, Chinese, English, French, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Frederick County Rental Assistance Resources

• For general information on rental programs in Frederick County, see the county’s Rental Programs page. The county is distributing rental assistance in partnership with the Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs. The application link can also be found on the county's Rental Programs page. Those without access to the internet may call 1-800-220-9528. Questions about the program should be emailed to COVIDhelp@rcehn.org.
• Frederick County has also prepared flyers with information about accessing rental assistance in English and Spanish. 

Carroll County Rental Assistance Resources

• Carroll County has prepared a flyer to help residents determine their eligibility for COVID-19 rental assistance. Find that flyer here.
• For more information, please contact Human Services Programs of Carroll County by telephone at 410-386-6620, or by email at renthelp@hspinc.org or visit the Human Services Programs website. 

Resources for Landlords

• The CFPB has created flyers with information for landlords whose finances have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please find those flyers in English and Spanish.
• The CFPB has also built this Help for Landlords portal, which includes a variety of resources and information.

An Overview of Federal Emergency Rental Assistance

• Congress established the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program to make funding available to assist households that are unable to pay rent or utilities. Two separate programs have been established. ERA1 provides up to $25 billion under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which was enacted on December 27, 2020. ERA2 provides up to $21.55 billion under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which was enacted on March 11, 2021.
• ERA funds are provided directly to states, U.S. territories, local governments, and (in the case of ERA1) Indian tribes or Tribally Designated Housing Entities. Governments that have received funding may use it to provide assistance to eligible households through existing or newly created rental assistance programs. For more information on the ERA program, visit this summary page from the U.S. Treasury.

An Update on the Federal Eviction Moratorium

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has extended the eviction moratorium to counties with Substantial to High Transmission of COVID-19. Substantial Transmission as defined by the CDC refers to a rate of 50 or more cases per 100,000 people per week. High Transmission as defined by the CDC refers to a rate greater than or equal to 100 or more cases per 100,000 people per week.

• Montgomery and Carroll Counties are currently Substantial Transmission counties and Frederick County is currently a High Transmission county. All fall under the CDC’s eviction order. You can monitor your county’s transmission status at this website.
• To alert your landlord or rental company that you are protected from eviction by the moratorium, print and fill out this form from the CDC. Additionally, the Maryland Attorney General’s office has put together this document with information for tenants on evictions. 

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