Rental Assistance Available via 211

While the rent is due tomorrow, July 1, for many people, the rising cost of apartments – along with the need to save money essentially for three months of rent prior to moving – is metastasizing the housing challenges faced by workers.

We are talking about the first month’s rent, last month’s rent, and the security deposit. If it’s a $900 rental, that is $2,700 in the form of a down payment.

However, there is some hope for people through the “Your Way Home” program (211). According to a program coordinator, the Emergency Rent & Utility Coalition (ERUC), is again accepting new applicants for first month, last month, and security deposit assistance. Applicants should start the process by dialing 211 (or texting your zip code to 898-211). Providers had stopped accepting new applications for this pandemic program on April 1.

The change is not yet reflected on the Your Way Home website, but was delivered in an email message on Thursday.

Your Way Home, created in 2014, is Montgomery County’s single point of entry for those who are experiencing homelessness. If you are sleeping in your car, outdoors, or “couch surfing,” you should call 211 (or text your zip code to 898-211) for assistance.

The Montco 30% Project is a partner organization in the Continuum of Care. The Montgomery County Office of Housing and Community Development is the Collaborative Applicant responsible for facilitating Your Way Home Montgomery County’s PA-504 Continuum of Care (CoC) Program Competition issued by the federal department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including the review, rating and ranking of new and renewal projects that provide housing and services for residents experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness using these federal dollars.