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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
Media Contact:
Alexis Revis-Yeoman
Public Information/Legislative Affairs
Email: aryeoman@co.pg.md.us
Cell: 301-456-4369
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY’S EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM DISTRIBUTES OVER $100 MILLION SUPPORTING MORE THAN 10,000 HOUSEHOLDS FACING HOUSING INSECURITY
LARGO, MD – The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has distributed over $102.6 million in funds and supported more than 10,225 households facing housing insecurity after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the enactment of the federally funded Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) in March 2021, DHCD has been working with non-profit organizations and County agencies to keep people housed during the pandemic.
Watch the Emergency Rental Assistance video here.
“We witnessed first-hand just how deeply the COVID-19 pandemic affected so many residents in our County and the ERAP worked to support those most in need,” said County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. “We value the collaboration with our community partners including the Office of the Sheriff, District Court, Department of Social Services, Office of Community Relations, and landlords, who worked together with DHCD to ensure residents could remain in their homes during challenging times. While we continue our efforts to comprehensively address the housing insecurity pressures many of our residents still face, we acknowledge that these partnerships and shared values are the cornerstone of the amazing progress that we’ve been able to make.”
As ERAP funding became available, DHCD immediately began distributing rent and utility assistance and working closely with tenants, landlords, and utility companies to assist residents in need. DHCD’s partnership with the following non-profit organizations made it possible to assist tenants and distribute the funds: CASA, Mission of Love, Housing Investment Partnership (HIP), Housing Options and Planning Enterprises, Inc. (H.O.P.E.), Sowing Empowerment and Economic Development Inc. (SEED), Center for Assistance to Families (CAF), Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services, Inc. (LARS), United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP), and Community Legal Services of Prince George’s County.
TESTIMONIALS:
Residents who received assistance through the County’s ERAP spoke highly about the positive impact generated as a result of the assistance they received:
“When the pandemic struck, it shut down my business immediately,” said Tracey Hall, Hair Stylist at Signature Styles in Glenn Dale. “The Emergency Rental Assistance Program helped me tremendously and dug me out of a hole. It allowed me to pay my rent at home, which gave me a better ability to pay my rent at my hair salon.”
“As a property manager, we were able to use the funds to keep our residents in their apartments and avoid eviction, while allowing us to meet our overhead expenses to maintain the property,” said Shatavia McDonald, Property Manager at Summer Ridge Apartments in Landover.
“ERAP was a lifeline for renters in this County, creating a safe space for our residents,” said Mary Hunter, Director of Housing Counseling, Housing Initiative Partnership in Hyattsville. “Funding assistance came during a time that was very difficult. It gave me a chance to not worry about our housing and helped with paying rent,” said Siomara Rodriguez, a tenant in Langley Park.
OTHER DHCD RESOURCES
DHCD regularly promotes available resources to organizations doing community development work and families seeking assistance to purchase and maintain homes, including:
• First-time home buyers could be eligible for up to $10,000 in down payment and closing costs toward the purchase of their first home through our Pathway to Purchase Program.
• Residents facing imminent eviction due to late rent payments should call the Emergency Rental Assistance Program Hotline on (301) 883-6504 and press 9 to inquire about assistance.
To contact DHCD, visit dhcd.mypgc.us or call 301-883-5531.
Follow and like DHCD on social media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
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The Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development seeks to create and preserve quality affordable housing options by developing policies, implementing practices, and creating finance tools aimed at ensuring the creation and preservation of equitable and inclusive communities.
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