Howard County yesterday received an additional $7.7 million in grant funding to help residents pay rent and utility bills.
The U.S. Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) provided the county with an initial $9.7 million in March.
The initial grant has already helped 719 households, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said in a statement.
“This second round of funding is a testament to Howard County’s efficiency in distributing funding to our community,” he said.
Rental assistance is available to residents who have lost income, experienced medical illness, or had to care for a family member due to COVID. The funding can be used to pay for past due rent and utility expenses for up to 18 months.
Last month, County Executive Ball announced $2 million in American Rescue Plan funding to assist homeowners and prevent foreclosures in Howard County.
Homeowners can apply for assistance through the county’s Foreclosure Prevention Program.
Homeowners and renters can find more information about assistance on the Department of Housing and Community Development’s COVID-19 website.
