Baltimore County Receives $1.1M Federal Boost to Aid Eviction Prevention Efforts

BALTIMORE COUNTY - Baltimore County has received an additional $1.1 million in federal funding to aid in eviction prevention, the largest allocation in the state, according to County Executive Johnny Olszewski.

The funds, part of a reallocation by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Emergency Rental Assistance Program, will help nearly 100 vulnerable households in the county avert eviction and potential homelessness.

Olszewski expressed gratitude to federal partners for the additional funds, remarking, "We should do everything possible to help families who have fallen on hard times stay in their homes." The County has been actively supporting housing stability initiatives, investing more than $116 million since June 2020 and helping over 8,500 families avoid eviction. The fresh injection of funds will support approximately 90 more households.

The funds will be distributed via the County's Eviction Prevention Program (EPP), a platform working in partnership with local non-profits to help residents stabilize their living situation and prevent eviction.

Senator Van Hollen and Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger also echoed the sentiments of providing secure housing to Marylanders.

"These federal dollars will help more Baltimore County residents working to make ends meet live securely in their homes," said Van Hollen.

The county will also continue to provide access to legal counsel for tenants, with almost $1.5 million invested since 2021 in free housing-related legal services. This covers tenant hotlines, community clinics, and scheduled or day-of-court legal representation.

Furthermore, the county plans to invest an extra $3 million in the next two years in various services designed to support housing stability efforts, including case management, employment assistance services, housing navigation, and financial counseling.

Terry Hickey, Director of Baltimore County's Department of Housing and Community Development, lauded the Eviction Prevention Program's success and impact, stating the additional funding reflected the program's "proven ability to effectively and efficiently assist households" during the pandemic.