Housing & Utilities

Because of the executive orders by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, until the COVID-19 State of Emergency order has been lifted: 

• Landlords cannot evict residential tenants who have suffered loss of income due to COVID-19.
• Lenders cannot repossess cars, trucks or mobile homes.
• Foreclosures on homes are prohibited for those who have suffered loss of income due to COVID-19.
• Also, a county bill prohibits the increase in rents for up to 90 days after the County’s State of Emergency order is lifted.  
• Borrowers are still responsible for the amounts owed.

If you are facing threats of the actions described above, or need more information, contact:

• Office of Consumer Protection
• Ph: 410.313.6420
• howardcountymd.gov/Departments/Community-Resources-and-Services/Office-of-Consumer-Protection

• Through the Howard County COVID-19 Rental Assistance and Eviction Prevention program you can apply for assistance with up to 3 months of housing expenses. Applicants must be Howard county residents with loss of income due to COVID-related job loss, reduction in hours and/or medical illness with a qualifying income.
  • Apply at one of 5 providers: 
    • Community Action Council, cac-hr.org, 410.313.6440
    • The United Way, uwcam.org, 211
    • Grassroots, grassrootscrisis.org, [email protected], 410.531.6677
    • Family and Children’s Services, fcsmd.org, [email protected], 443.864.0379
    • FIRN, firnonline.org, [email protected], 443.276.3166
  • Exceptions: If you are a housing choice voucher tenant or rent a unit in a property owned by the Howard County Housing Commission, you may be eligible for rental assistance from the them (househoward.org, 443.518.7800). If you rent with Bridges to Housing Stability, you may be eligible for rental assistance from them (bridges2hs.org, 410.312.5760). 
• Howard County Government’s infographic for renters has more information.
• Howard County Government’s infographic for mortgage holders includes many details and extensive of resources.
• Contact the Howard County Office of Consumer Protection for more information and resources at 410.313.6420.
• Community Action Council of Howard County Housing Assistance includes eviction prevention (one-time financial grants), assistance with first month’s rent and one month’s rent past due, and assistance with other housing emergencies. Income qualifications apply. Ph. 410.313.6440
• The Howard County Coordinated System to End Homelessness integrates the services of 13 non-profit and government agencies. Get help through the Grassroots Crisis Line at 410.531.6677.
• Rebuilding Together Howard County is still making emergency repairs to homes for those in need during the COVID-19 outbreak. Call 410.381.3338 for more information or apply online here. 
• The Circuit Court for Howard County free Family Law Assistance Program and Civil Law Center has reopened. The Civil Law Center can assist with questions about evictions.
  • Assistance is available by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, contact the Law Librarian to make a thirty (30) minute appointment to meet with an attorney. The Law Librarian can be reached at 410.313.2135 or by email at [email protected].
  • If you cannot reach the Law Librarian, contact the Family Law Office at 410.313.2225 or at [email protected] 
• The Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Services has up-to-date information about evictions and foreclosures, and can provide legal assistance for those who meet certain income requirements.   

• On August 31, 2020, Governor Hogan extended his executive order prohibiting utility companies from shutting off or charging late fees for residential services, including water, electricity, phone, cable, and internet. The order will be in effect until November 15, 2020.

• The Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) provides bill assistance to low-income households in the State of Maryland to make their energy costs more affordable and to help with the prevention of loss and the restoration of home energy service. There are income eligibility requirements. Contact OHEP with questions or to apply: 1.800.322.6347.
• Community Action Council of Howard County provides utility assistance to households in imminent danger of utility cut-off.  CAC provides this assistance in partnership with the Office of Home Energy Programs, BGE, Howard County Government and others. There are income eligibility requirements. Ph: 410.313.6440.

• Contact your local electric and natural gas service provider if you are having trouble paying your bill, or for any service or program changes put in place to help combat the Coronavirus outbreak.
• Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) on Covid-19: https://www.bge.com/SafetyCommunity/Safety/Pages/coronavirus.aspx.
• En Español
• PEPCO on Covid-19: https://www.pepco.com/SafetyCommunity/Safety/Pages/coronavirus.aspx
• En Español

• Internet Essentials from Comcast brings affordable high-speed Internet to your home. You may qualify if you are eligible for public assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, and others.
• Xfinity’s response to the Coronavirus outbreak, including guidance, questions, and what to do if you are unable to pay your bill, visit: https://www.xfinity.com/prepare
• Verizon’s response to the Coronavirus outbreak, including guidance, questions, and what to do if you are unable to pay your bill, visit: https://www.verizon.com/support/consumer/announcements/covid-19

• Howard County’s Department of Public Works is open. Contact DPW’s customer service at [email protected] and 410.313.4400.