With rent and mortgage due at the beginning of April, researchers anticipate more Marylanders will need help paying for their housing as they suffer the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic and related business shutdowns.
As of Monday, Maryland had at least 1,413 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 17 deaths as a result of the respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus. Public services are restricted and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has closed nonessential businesses. He issued a stay-at-home order Monday.
Maryland courts have suspended evictions and foreclosures, meaning landlords cannot start the eviction process. However, residents still will owe rent payments, and researchers tracking calls to help lines across the United States say requests for rent assistance have increased since the pandemic began.
Matthew Kreuter, a professor of public health at Washington University in St. Louis, and his team track calls to Maryland’s 211 information and referral help line.
Kreuter said they found requests for rent assistance referrals in Maryland were up 151% this year from 2019 as COVID-19 became a pandemic. Maryland had 1,038 requests for rent assistance from March 12 to March 29 this year, compared with 413 requests during that period last year.
Most requests are coming from Baltimore City (196) and County (162), followed by Prince George’s (158), Montgomery (104) and Anne Arundel (53), Kreuter said. The researchers from 211 Counts and Washington University in St. Louis expect that requests could increase even further over time.
The U.S. Department of Labor reported last week that a record 3.3 million Americans, including 42,000 Marylanders, applied for unemployment benefits. But regulators and organizations say they’re ready to help people pay their mortgage or rent.
Here’s a list of resources for homeowners, renters and the owners of small businesses or nonprofits who may be feeling the pinch.
Resources for homeowners
Homeowners need to contact their mortgage servicer to see if they qualify for a mortgage relief program. See your most recent monthly statement for your mortgage lender or servicer’s website and consumer contact information. If you do not have your statement, use the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System to search for the company by name.
Expect long waiting times as servicers are likely dealing with many inquiries at this time. Have your loan statement ready and know how much your income has been reduced and what your weekly unemployment benefits are.
The Maryland Bankers Association has an online list of what its member banks are doing to help customers. Likewise, the American Bankers Association released an online list of the banks offering payment deferrals with no late fees for mortgage and home equity loans.
If you have an inquiry or complaint about a mortgage lender or servicer, contact the Maryland Department of Labor by email at DLFRComplaints-LABOR@maryland.gov or by phone at 410-230-6077. The Maryland HOPE Initiative (Home Owners Preserving Equity) also has resources to help you keep your home. Call HOPE at 1-877-462-7555.
Under the $2 trillion coronavirus response bill signed by President Donald Trump last week, homeowners with federally backed mortgage loans can request payments be postponed for up to 180 days. Homeowners can then request a second 180 postponement, if needed.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to suspend foreclosures and evictions for at least 60 days for some mortgages. Borrowers whose mortgages are owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac also can suspend payments for 12 months.
Similar mortgage relief programs are being offered for those with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration or for VA loans through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Resources for renters
Renters should call their landlords to discuss their payment options. The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will offer multifamily property owners mortgage forbearance if they suspend evictions for renters unable to pay rent due to the coronavirus.
The $2 trillion coronavirus response bill provides 120 days of eviction relief for people in federally-funded housing. This means landlords may not charge tenants late fees for delayed payments. The new law also provides additional dollars to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to fund housing vouchers and rent assistance, so tenants should speak with their local housing agency to discuss their options.
The Fair Housing Action Center of Maryland also created a list of resources for renters seeking financial assistance.
Anne Arundel County and Annapolis:
Emergency Assistance to Families with Children – Annapolis: 410-269-4500
North County Emergency Outreach Network: 410-766-1826
Salvation Army – Annapolis: 410-263-4091
Salvation Army – Glen Burnie: 410-768-0477
Emergency Assistance to Families with Children – Glen Burnie: 410-269-4500
Anne Arundel County Community Action: 410-626-1900
Baltimore City:
Franciscan Center: 410-467-5340
HealthCare Access Maryland (HCAM): 410-649-0529
American Legion Department of MD State Headquarters: 410-752-1405, 800-433-3318
New Shiloh Baptist Church: 410-523-5306
All Saints Church: 410-542-0445
Mount Moriah Baptist: 410-945-3575
New Creation Christian Church Love Outreach Ministry: 410-488-5653
Paul’s Place: 410-625-0775
Wallbrook Vicinity Churches Assistance Ministry: 410-383-1525
Zion Baptist Church: 410-837-4181
St. Anthony of Padua: 410-488-9918
Mercy Supportive Housing Program: 410-675-2125
Salvation Army Family Service Center: 410-783-2920
City Temple Outreach: 410-383-8040, 410-462-4800
Friendship Outreach Center: 410-444-1595
Bon Secours Community Works: 410-362-3808
Baltimore City District Court — Eviction Prevention Program: 410-878-8650
St Vincent de Paul — The Samaritan Center: 667-600-3700 ext. 1
Baltimore County:
Community Action Network: 410-285-4674 ext. 111 or 123
Maryland Kidney Foundation: 410-494-8545 for assistance to Maryland residents diagnosed with kidney conditions
Harford County:
Harford Community Action Agency: 443-456-3629
Salvation Army: 410-939-3535
St. Vincent de Paul Outreach: 410-642-3588
Aberdeen Bible Church: 410-272-3278
Howard County:
Community Action Council of Howard County: 410-313-6440
Community Action Council of Howard County (Laurel Residents Only): 410-313-0220
Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services (Zip codes 20707, 20708, 20723, and 20724 only): 301-776-0442
United Way of Central Maryland is collecting donations to help people cover rent.
Small business owners and nonprofits
Maryland Secretary of Commerce Kelly M. Schulz last week said small businesses statewide can apply for disaster relief loans through the federal Small Business Administration.
The Maryland Department of Commerce is accepting applications for emergency relief funds, too. The state program will provide up to $10,000 in grant funding for businesses and nonprofits with 50 or fewer employees. Funding also is being set aside specifically for nonprofits.
Schulz said small businesses also can apply for a $50,000 loan from the state commerce department. Businesses can use these resources to pay their employees, Schulz said.
Baltimore Sun reporter Hallie Miller contributed to this article.
