State of Emergency Housing Policies
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
County Housing Information and Support
- Through the Howard County COVID-19 Rental Assistance and Eviction Prevention program you can apply for assistance with up to 12 months of past due housing and utility expenses. Applicants must be Howard county residents, provide proof of home address, and must provide evidence of loss of income due to COVID-related job loss, reduction in hours and/or medical illness..
- Apply at one of 4 providers:
- Community Action Council, cac-hr.org, 410.313.6440
- Grassroots, grassrootscrisis.org, [email protected], 410.531.6677
- FIRN, firnonline.org, [email protected], 443.276.3166
- Springboard, springboardmd.org, [email protected] , 410.997.3577
- Exceptions: If you rent with Bridges to Housing Stability, you may be eligible for rental assistance from them (bridges2hs.org, 410.312.5760).
- Click here for the program fact sheet.
- 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]
- Maryland Legal Aid can assist those facing eviction due to COVID-19. Contact the Howard County office at 410.480.1057 Monday through Friday between 9 am and 5pm with questions.
- The Maryland Access to Justice Commission, in partnership with the Maryland State Bar Association, has put together this COVID-19 Resource Site to serve as a central storehouse for information related to COVID and the civil justice system in Maryland. This site houses information useful to both the public and the civil legal aid community. Information includes where to find free and low-cost legal representation.
Energy Assistance
- 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
Internet Service
- The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program will provide eligible households with discounts of up to $50 a month for broadband service, and up to $75 a month if the household is on Tribal lands. It also will provide a one-time discount of up to $100 on a computer or tablet for eligible households. The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program enrollment will open on May 12th. Eligible households can enroll through an approved provider or by visiting https://getemergencybroadband.org. The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is open to households that participate in an existing low-income or pandemic relief program offered by a broadband provider; Lifeline subscribers, including those that are on Medicaid or accept SNAP benefits; households with kids receiving free and reduced-price lunch or school breakfast; Pell grant recipients; and those who have lost jobs and seen their income reduced in the last year.
- Howard County Library System now lends laptops and hotspots. Contact your local branch for more information.
- 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
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
County Housing Information and Support
- Through the Howard County COVID-19 Rental Assistance and Eviction Prevention program you can apply for assistance with up to 12 months of past due housing and utility expenses. Applicants must be Howard county residents, provide proof of home address, and must provide evidence of loss of income due to COVID-related job loss, reduction in hours and/or medical illness..
- Apply at one of 4 providers:
- Community Action Council, cac-hr.org, 410.313.6440
- Grassroots, grassrootscrisis.org, [email protected], 410.531.6677
- FIRN, firnonline.org, [email protected], 443.276.3166
- Springboard, springboardmd.org, [email protected] , 410.997.3577
- Exceptions: If you rent with Bridges to Housing Stability, you may be eligible for rental assistance from them (bridges2hs.org, 410.312.5760).
- Click here for the program fact sheet.
- Apply at one of 4 providers:
- 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]
- Maryland Legal Aid can assist those facing eviction due to COVID-19. Contact the Howard County office at 410.480.1057 Monday through Friday between 9 am and 5pm with questions.
- The Maryland Access to Justice Commission, in partnership with the Maryland State Bar Association, has put together this COVID-19 Resource Site to serve as a central storehouse for information related to COVID and the civil justice system in Maryland. This site houses information useful to both the public and the civil legal aid community. Information includes where to find free and low-cost legal representation.
Energy Assistance
- 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
Internet Service
- The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program will provide eligible households with discounts of up to $50 a month for broadband service, and up to $75 a month if the household is on Tribal lands. It also will provide a one-time discount of up to $100 on a computer or tablet for eligible households. The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program enrollment will open on May 12th. Eligible households can enroll through an approved provider or by visiting https://getemergencybroadband.org. The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is open to households that participate in an existing low-income or pandemic relief program offered by a broadband provider; Lifeline subscribers, including those that are on Medicaid or accept SNAP benefits; households with kids receiving free and reduced-price lunch or school breakfast; Pell grant recipients; and those who have lost jobs and seen their income reduced in the last year.
- Howard County Library System now lends laptops and hotspots. Contact your local branch for more information.
- 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
- 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
Internet Service
- The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program will provide eligible households with discounts of up to $50 a month for broadband service, and up to $75 a month if the household is on Tribal lands. It also will provide a one-time discount of up to $100 on a computer or tablet for eligible households. The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program enrollment will open on May 12th. Eligible households can enroll through an approved provider or by visiting https://getemergencybroadband.org. The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is open to households that participate in an existing low-income or pandemic relief program offered by a broadband provider; Lifeline subscribers, including those that are on Medicaid or accept SNAP benefits; households with kids receiving free and reduced-price lunch or school breakfast; Pell grant recipients; and those who have lost jobs and seen their income reduced in the last year.
- Howard County Library System now lends laptops and hotspots. Contact your local branch for more information.
- 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
Email [email protected] with corrections/additions. For assistance, call 410-313-7750.
