Baltimore Mayor Jack Young Commits $13M To Baltimore Renters' Relief Program To Prevent Coronavirus-Related Wave Of Evictions
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A program is in the works to help people in Baltimore with $13 million in rental relief to prevent a coronavirus-related wave of evictions.
The mayor has committed the $14 million of Community Development Block Grant-CV funds for the temporary rental assistance program.
The mayor said this new initiative he's directed the Baltimore housing commissioner to dig into will bring "much-needed relief" for renters and he expects to be presented with a workable program with options in the next few weeks
"The impact of this COVID-19 emergency on housing stability has been a concern of mine from the very start," Mayor Young said. "We acted quickly by calling for a halt on evictions, but the moratorium on evictions is not enough on its own. We need to prepare for the ongoing crisis caused by lost income and the risk of evictions caused by COVID-19 impacts."
Baltimore Department of Housing and Community Development Commissioner Michael Braverman said they are looking to cover three months- April, May and June- for Baltimore residents and tenants.
They will work with stakeholders, including housing advocates and the rental industry, to establish the program.
"We appreciate the Mayor earmarking these funds to help those renters who have lost income due to the Pandemic's effects," said Housing Commissioner Michael Braverman. "We are going to work quickly to bring these critical resources and relief to city residents."
The mayor also said he is not comfortable reopening up the city as of now, and the "Big Eight"- Maryland's eight largest jurisdictions- will decide when to reopen.
