Howard County MD Emergency Rental Assistance Program Guide

Last updated: June 26, 2026

About the Howard County COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program

Howard County’s emergency housing assistance initiative was designed to help county residents impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak cover rent, utility bills, and mortgage payments — preventing both eviction and foreclosure during a period of widespread economic hardship. The program was funded through federal ERA allocations under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act and administered locally by the Howard County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).

For Howard County residents still seeking help, the statewide Maryland ERAP framework continues to evolve. The Maryland ERAP application guide provides an up-to-date overview of which programs are currently accepting applications across the state and how the county-level system is structured.

What the Howard County COVID-19 Housing Program Covered

While active, the Howard County program was broader in scope than many county-level ERAP initiatives, covering three categories of housing costs rather than just rent:

• Rent assistance: Financial aid for past-due rent payments to help tenants avoid eviction.
• Utility bill assistance: Help covering electricity, gas, water, and other household utility costs for COVID-19-impacted residents.
• Mortgage and foreclosure prevention: Assistance for homeowners struggling with mortgage payments — and notably, this funding stream had remaining availability even after rental assistance was exhausted in February 2022.

The inclusion of mortgage assistance set Howard County’s program apart from many other Maryland county ERAP initiatives, which were typically renter-only. Homeowners facing foreclosure in Howard County should contact DHCD directly to confirm whether any foreclosure prevention funds remain available under current program cycles.

Where to Find Rental Assistance in Howard County Now

With Howard County’s local rental assistance exhausted, residents need to look to statewide and regional resources. Maryland’s ERAP is administered at the county level, so your first step is identifying which programs are currently active in your area.

The Baltimore City Eviction Prevention Program is one of the most active in the region, providing up to 15 months of back rent and tenant assistance services to qualifying city residents. Howard County residents who work in Baltimore or have ties to the city may want to check whether they meet Baltimore’s residency requirements.

In adjacent Anne Arundel County, the Anne Arundel County Eviction Prevention Program continues to focus exclusively on tenants at immediate risk of eviction. Similarly, Harford County’s ERAP prioritizes households with incomes at or below 50% AMI and those with at least one member unemployed for 90 or more days.

Pro Tip

Maryland’s ERAP system is decentralized — each county runs its own program with its own eligibility rules, funding cycles, and application portals. Just because Howard County’s rental funds are exhausted does not mean neighboring counties are in the same position. Always check multiple county programs if you live near a county border.

How to Apply for Maryland Rental Assistance in 2025

For Howard County residents seeking assistance through the statewide system, the process typically follows these steps:

• Visit the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for a current county-by-county directory of active programs.
• Gather required documents before starting: proof of income, government-issued photo ID, current lease or rental agreement, documentation of COVID-19 financial impact, and any eviction notice received.
• Apply through the relevant county or municipal portal. Most programs accept online submissions; in-person assistance is available at designated community centers in the Baltimore region.
• Respond promptly to any follow-up requests from program staff — incomplete documentation is the most common cause of processing delays across Maryland ERAP programs.

The full statewide picture is covered in the Maryland rental assistance guide, which is updated regularly to reflect current program availability and income thresholds across the state.