The County Council continues to propose and appropriate funding to provide various forms of assistance to county residents during the COVID-19 emergency.
The council yesterday unanimously approved a special appropriation of $2 million to be used for emergency eviction prevention and housing stabilization programs via a short-term rental subsidy program to low- and moderate-income households. Councilmember Evan Glass (D-At Large) spearheaded the proposal.
“On Friday, rent will be due for the 130,000 renter households here in Montgomery County. I have heard from renters all over the county who are hurting, struggling and have been hit hard by this pandemic. These rental assistance funds will help provide economic stability for thousands of individuals and families who are concerned about keeping a roof over their heads,” Glasssaid in a press release.
In addition, councilmembers yesterday introduced the following special appropriations:
- Another $5 million recommended by the county executive for the Department of Health and Human Services to expand a previously approved $5 million program to provide direct financial assistance to county residents, the distribution of which began this week.
- A $750,000 special appropriation initiated by Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz (D-At Large), Nancy Navarro (D-District 4) and Craig Rice (D-District 2) to help address increasing levels of food insecurity among county residents.
- A special appropriation of $250,000 initiated by Councilmember Andrew Friedson (D-District 1) to provide grants to businesses and non-profit organizations that implemented a teleworking program and purchased teleworking equipment and software.
The council announced that it will hold public hearings on the three proposals at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30.
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