November 24, 2020
Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Today, County Executive Calvin Ball announced Howard County will receive $2 million in Community Development Block Grant funding from Maryland to prevent evictions. Once received, the funds will be distributed through the Community Action Council of Howard County and provide up to six months of rental assistance to households that experienced a loss of income due to COVID-19. Applications for households to receive funding are forthcoming.
“As we continue to battle the second wave of this virus, we must put into place adequate support programs and infrastructure to make sure no one falls through the cracks,” said Ball. “With more than 23,000 renters in the county, the need for rental assistance and eviction prevention has exceeded the already $3.5 million in relief we’ve allocated to date. I’m thankful to the Governor for providing this additional funding to ensure that our residents stay safe and housed for the next several months.”
To date, Howard County has already allocated $1.6 million in CARES Act funding and $1.9 in Community Development Block Grants program funds to support rental assistance and eviction relief. In total, the Howard County Department of Housing and Community Development supported more than 800 families who lost income due to COVID-19 by providing rental assistance for up to three months.