ByHow to Apply for Rental Assistance in Maryland
The number of homeless people nationwide has seen a 2% increase over the past two years. The trend is continuously rising because of the high cost of living and the growing shortage of affordable rental housing.
The good news is that DoNotPay is here to help by providing you with a faster and more convenient means of seeking rental assistance. You can apply for with the click of a button using our Rental Assistance Product.
We'll walk you through Maryland rental assistance programs and how to apply for aid in minutes.
Rental Assistance in Maryland
Getting is easier with DoNotPay. A non-profit organization or government provides rent relief by giving monetary assistance to individuals or households with low-to-moderate income. DoNotPay can help you find one.
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development provides federal resources or state funds to tenants living in multi-family rental communities. In addition, the state has allocated $20 million for the assisted housing relief program.
The state of Maryland has other assistance and financial aid programs. They are:
1. Vouchers for Housing Expenses
Evicted, low-income earners, seniors, or disabled residents in Maryland can receive subsidies from the federal government for affordable housing.
2. Maryland Children's Health Program(MCHP)
The program provides healthcare benefits to children up to 19 years and pregnant women.
3. Financial Assistance in Crisis
Financial assistance is centered and managed by the Salvation Army. The non-profit group provides financial assistance for medicine, utilities, and rent.
4. Primary Adult Care Program (PAC)
The program provides lower medical expenses in the form of insurance for adults with low income.
5. Maryland Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program
Both low-income and moderate residents can receive financial assistance from the program.
Who Is Eligible for Rental Assistance in Maryland?
The rental assistance program is limited to the residents in Maryland who live in the rental units in multi-family projects financed by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development(DHCD).
The tenants in the rental units receive the payment to their registered property management companies. The company is credited with nine months of rent that clears any previous rental arrears, reducing the risk of eviction.
The eligibility criteria for the tenants are:
- Have an income that is at or below 50% of the area's median income
- The residents are at risk of being evicted
- Proof of loss of income
- All applying individuals should be residents of the rental units
How to Apply for Rental Assistance in Maryland on Your Own
Each jurisdiction operates the rental assistance program independently. However, you can seek rental assistance in Maryland using the following steps:
1. Rental Assistance via Calls
Call the Maryland Emergency Rental Assistance Center at 877-546-5595 on Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. It's important to note that the center receives many calls. Therefore, you are urged to exercise patience.
While on the call, the customer service provider will inquire about your lack of stable income, the number of family members in your household, and other personalized questions as each case is different.
2. Rental Assistance via Email
The center recommends that all individuals applying for rental assistance reach out by sending emails concerning their homelessness issue. You can receive a response to your queries in up to five days due to a large backlog of applications.
When the center reaches out, they will question your homelessness state, and the customer care provider will respond accordingly.
How Long Does It Take To Receive Rental Assistance in Maryland?
Before receiving your rental assistance, you need to be approved after passing the interview with the service provider assigned to you. Although the time varies, the process typically takes up to six weeks. You'll be required to submit the following documents to receive rental assistance:
- Contact information and name of your landlord
- Names and contact information for all the household members.
- Statement of the past due rent balance
- Income verification documents for all your household occupants, including child support, disability, or retirement benefits,
However, if you are homeless or evicted, you can receive rental assistance by getting assigned a subsidized house. The houses are thoroughly inspected before being assigned the house. Some of the inspected areas are:
- Paintwork
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Light fixtures covers
- Exposed electrical wires
- Window locks
After a successful inspection, the service provider reports back to the federal government, and the tenant is offered rental assistance after confirmation of their safety in the house.
Apply for Rental Assistance in MD with DoNotPay
The process of applying for rental assistance is tedious, and one can quickly lose hope after seemingly waiting for eternity.
By using DoNotPay, you will reduce the stress of getting evicted or being homeless by obtaining a well-composed letter to your local housing authority using the following simple steps.
- Search for Rental Assistance on DoNotPay.
- Put together a list of your income, debts, expenses, and assets. If you need help accessing information like your credit report, DoNotPay can help you get your report.
- Let DoNotPay collect your basic information and compose a letter to your local housing authority requesting rental assistance.
- Lastly, DoNotPay will send your letter to your local housing authority.
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