Helpful Resources
Domestic violence affects each member of the family system. Resources included on this page are added in hopes that any member of the family might find use and move toward safe, thriving, and strong futures.
Are you looking for housing but don't know where to start? Consider connecting with a housing counselor sponsored by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Check out this Housing Search Worksheet to organize your thoughts, prioritize wants and needs, and gain clarity on where home is for you!
Search for a housing counseling agency near you:
- Phone: 800-569-4287
- Search online
Public Housing
Public housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Public housing comes in all sizes and types, from single-family homes to apartments.
Who is eligible?
Public housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. Eligibility is based on:
- Annual gross income
- Whether you qualify as elderly, a person with a disability, or as a family
- U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status
If you are eligible, the housing agency will check references to make sure you and your family will be good tenants. Admission will be denied to applicants whose habits and practices may be expected to have a detrimental effect on other tenants or on the physical home.
How do I apply?
Contact your local housing agency or the local HUD Field Office.
Section 8
The housing choice voucher program, also known as Section 8, is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Section 8 units are owned by private landlords who accept Section 8 vouchers from their renters.
A family that is issued a housing voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of their choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. The unit chosen can include the current residence. Participants are free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects.
Who is eligible?
Housing voucher eligibility is determined by the Public Housing Agency based on:
- Total annual gross income
- Family size
- U.S. citizenship or specified immigration status
Generally, income levels cannot exceed 50% of the median income for the country or metropolitan area, but housing agencies are legally required to provide 75% of vouchers to applicants with below 30% of the area median income.
Waitlists
We all know the high demand for housing often exceeds the limited resources available. Long waiting periods are common. Wait lists are used to continue accepting applications even when resources aren't immediately available. At times, housing agencies may close their waitlist when it has more families on the list than can be assisted in the near future.
How do I apply?
Contact your local housing agency or the local HUD Field Office.
Privately Owned
Privately owned is subsidized housing in which landlords are paid by the government to offer reduced rents to low-income tenants.
Need additional help?
Consider connecting with a housing counselor to support you in securing stable housing.
Search for a housing counseling agency near you:
Maryland Energy Assistance
Who is eligible?
Maryland Energy Assistance programs are income-eligible. Check out the current income guidelines to see if you qualify. If you do not meet income requirements, contact your utility company directly and ask for a payment plan and consider contacting 2-1-1 to identify organizations who may be able to help.
How to apply
Fill out the application online, mail it in, or use an application drop box! To apply online or download the application:
- Visit myMDTHINK
- Scroll to "Quick Links"
- Click "Apply for Services"
- Log in or register
- Navigate to Housing & Energy Assistance
Check out this video from Maryland's Office of People's Counsel detailing how to fill out the application correctly, the first time. Taking time to understand the form, the boxes you should check, and any guideline rules will help you get the financial support you need.
Pay attention to the grants on the application!
Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs Grants:
- Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)- helps with heating bills
- Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP)- helps with electric bills
- Arrearage Retirement Assistance- helps with large, past-due electric and gas bills
Additional programs:
- Utility Service Protection Program (USPP)- protects low-income families from utility turn-off during the winter heating season. All MEAP-eligible customers can participate in USPP.
- Weatherization programs to help make home improvements to lower utility costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- If I get energy assistance, will that change my food stamps or social security? No! Receiving energy assistance does not impact other public assistance.
- Do I need to pay back the energy assistance? No! Utility assistance does not have to be paid back.
- Do I need any paperwork to apply? Yes. Gather the following documents for your application:
-
- copy of applicant photo ID (must be the same name on the utility bill)
- Proof of residence
- Social security card copies for all household members
- Proof of all gross income received in the last 30 days for the household
- Copy of most recent utility bill or termination notice
- Copy of most recent heating bill or receipt
- Acceptable documentation for energy assistance
Household Water Assistance
The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program is a new program providing benefits for water and wastewater costs for low-income households experiencing hardship with their water bills.
Who is eligible?
Renters, homeowners, and residents of public housing are all eligible for the water assistance program. The most important factor in determining who is eligible for water/wastewater assistance is how much money you made in the last 30 days.
How to apply
You can submit an application for water assistance 5 different ways!
- Online: visit my.mdthink.maryland.gov
- Drop Boxes: The Energy Assistance Office and local Departments of Social Services have secure drop boxes available to receive your application and documents. Drop off the completed form and all documents to submit the application.
- Mail-in Applications: To apply by mail, you can request an application be mailed to you or print a copy of the application and mail it to your Local Energy Assistance or Local Department of Social Services office.
- Telephone: Energy Assistance and Local Department of Social Services offices can accept applications over the phone. However, you will need to email or mail your documents to the local office after your information has been taken.
- In-person: Call your local office to schedule an appointment. Find your Local Energy Assistance or Local Department of Social Services office to make an appointment.
Download the Maryland Low-Income Water Assistance Application
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can water assistance help with an old bill? Yes! Water assistance can help pay down an outstanding balance on your past-due bill. Pending eligibility criteria, water assistance may be possible to apply to terminated or closed accounts.
- Will my payment plan affect my utility assistance? No! Your payment plan will not prevent you from receiving the full benefit you qualify for.
- Do I need to wait for a turn-off notice? No! Do not wait until you have a turn-off notice to apply.
- Can I give you some paperwork/ documents now and the rest later? Submitting an application without all documents will slow the application process significantly. For the quickest service, please include all documents when submitting your application, no matter how you submit the application.
- My utilities are included in my rent, do I still qualify? Yes!* You can receive water assistance benefits if you or a member of your household is responsible for paying your water costs. Your water bill does not need to be in your name, however, you must verify you are living at the service address. *Assistance eligibility pending all other eligibility requirements are met.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development will administer federal emergency rental funding in two ways:
- Through the Maryland Eviction Partnership Program to support local rental assistance efforts
- Directly to property management on behalf of tenants residing in affordable rental properties that received federal or state financing through the Assisted Housing Relief Program.
Who is eligible?
Each jurisdiction may have different eligibility criteria and may open/close application windows based on funds, waitlists, etc. For the best information, visit the Emergency Rental Assistance Program and select your county of residence to view the most up-to-date information.
Baltimore City
- Call: 410-396-5555
- Email: eviction.prevention@baltimorecity.gov
Baltimore County
- Call: 410-887-8383
- Email: dhcd@baltimorecountymd.gov
Anne Arundel County
- Call: 410-222-7600
Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund
The Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund can help homeowners struggling with mortgage payments or other housing costs. This financial assistance will be in cooperation with the loss mitigation tools that will be provided by mortgage servicers. The program will create a long-term sustainable and affordable mortgage. Homeowners with mortgages should be working with their mortgage services so that assistance is supplementary to options that may be offered by the mortgage servicer, like loan modifications.
Who is eligible?
In order to be eligible under the Homeowners Assistance Fund, all borrowers will have to be/have:
- eligible COVID-19 financial hardship after* January 21, 2020
- Maryland residency
- 90 days in arrears**
- Homeowners residing in their primary residence
- Homeowners by evidence of the deed
The delinquent mortgage must have had a principal balance that did not exceed the conforming loan limit at the time of origination.
*includes hardships that began before 1/21/2020 but continued after that date
**arrears- money that is owed and should have been paid earlier
Speak with someone today: 877-462-7555
Maryland Homeowners Assistance Fund fact sheet