by dderenzis
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Rent and Utility Assistance Program For Renters and Landlords in Montgomery County

Montgomery County Board of Commissioners announced the Your Way Home program to help renters and landlords impacted by COVID-19. This program allows eligible households to receive up to 12 months of assistance for rent and utility bills dating back to March 13, 2020. Assistance is offered for past due rent/utilities, future rent/utilities, security deposits, and first/and or last month of rent. There is no financial limit on the amount of assistance a household can receive. Montgomery County currently has $55,055,660 in funding available for this program.
Eligibility requirements for the York Way Home Program include:
  • Household must reside in Montgomery County at the time of application, AND
  • One or more individuals in the household has qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 pandemic, AND
  • The household can demonstrate a risk of homelessness or housing instability, AND
  • Household must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income at the time of application.

Income eligibility will be based on average gross income over the 30 days preceding the time of assistance. Income includes earned income, child support, welfare benefits, Social Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), unemployment income, workman’s compensation, and any pension, investments, or 401K funds.

To apply, residents are encouraged to call 2-1-1 or text their zip code to 898-211. Applications can be done over the phone, in person, emailed, or a combination. Residents can also reach out to one of six partner organizations below to learn more about the program and apply:

To apply, residents need the following items:

  • A copy of a lease or proof of consistent rental payments at their address.
  • Photo identification.
  • An overdue rent or utility notice, if applicable.
  • Current income documentation for all adults in the household.
  • Proof of unemployment received or applied for, if applicable.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Montgomery County’s 2021 Rent and Utility Relief Program will evaluate applications based on priority, rather than on a first-come, first-served basis. Prioritized rental households will be at or below 50% of Average Median Income and in areas with higher shares of households living in poverty, cost-burdened low-income renters, severely overcrowded households, or unemployed people. This program aims to serve an estimated 1,900 – 3,800 households.

Your Way Home Montgomery County serves as the county’s unified and coordinated housing crisis response system for families and individuals experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness. To learn more visit www.yourwayhome.org or follow Your Way Home on Facebook and Twitter.