Housing Resources
Emergency Assistance to Families with Children
Emergency Assistance to Families with Children (EAFC) provides emergency cash assistance to families who need emergency help paying rent or utilities or for other emergencies. These funds are available through the local department once every two years when funds are available.
Homelessness Prevention Program
The purpose of the Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) is to assist individuals and families facing a housing crisis. Funding is available for small one-time crisis grants to keep those facing eviction, safely housed. Case management and counseling is provided to those households in need and for early intervention to prevent eviction. Grant funding is used for training clients on budgeting and other life skills, education on tenant rights and responsibilities, and mediation between landlord and tenant. The one-time direct grants are provided to landlords to prevent eviction. Qualifying households must have a lease in their name, the ability to pay rent moving forward to the Local DSS or service provider working with the DSS must determine that the family unit will be able to continue to stay in the permanent housing or move to other permanent housing through payment to or arrangement with the landlord. All policies must be applied consistently to all qualifying households and in accordance with COMAR. Clients must comply with a documented case plan.
Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, formerly known as Section 8, helps families pay their rent. The program is a federally-funded, locally administered rental assistance program that subsidizes the rent of lower-income families, the elderly and disabled to afford decent, safe housing in the private market through the use of federal funds.
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development administers the program in parts of the Eastern Shore and Western Maryland including: Allegany County (including the City of Cumberland), Caroline County, Dorchester County, Frederick County, Garrett County, Kent County, Somerset County, Talbot County, Wicomico County and Worcester County.
Contact
For more information you can contact:
Rental Service Programs
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
Email: dhcd.rental_services@maryland.gov
Phone: 301-429-7414
Resources are limited please contact your appropriate county DHR for availability of the Housing Choice Program Voucher.