Silver Spring housing nonprofit MHP and Montgomery County have announced the launch of a relief fund for families impacted by the Clarksburg fire last Saturday.
A 16-year-old boy faces arson charges for allegedly intentionally starting the fire that damaged at least 25 apartment units and displaced around 45 residents, according to the Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service.
“At the request of Montgomery County, MHP is collecting financial donations to help affected families,” MHP said in a press release. “While this is not an MHP property, we maintain close ties with the community through the many affordable housing properties we have developed in Montgomery County and are playing a role by managing financial donations to help impacted residents.”
MHP has spearheaded similar relief efforts for Montgomery County in recent years, raising almost $600,000 for the Friendly Garden Apartments explosion victims in 2022 and funds for the Arrive Silver Spring fire victims last year.
100 percent of donations to the fund will go directly to the affected residents, MHP said.
Montgomery County officials recommend that community members provide support through financial contributions instead of in-kind donations of material items, as the residents’ needs are still being assessed.
Those who wish to help can donate to the fund here.
Photo: David Pazos / Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service