Help me with my eviction in Lexington Park, MD

Lexington Park offers a few rental assistance programs that can provide protection from eviction. While no one can stop all evictions, it can certainly help to have an additional level of local support when an emergency situation causes hardship to a family.

(Request from Tameca in Lexington Park, Maryland) Please help me with my eviction. This is the first time this has ever happen to me I’m a full time single mother and I just need a little help. If you can do anything I’m thankful it will take place any day now.

Dear Tameca,

We examined the various aid agencies in Lexington Park and surrounding St. Mary’s County. There are some options available to you, but we should see assistance might apply to your situation.

As a single mother, you may have additional options available to you. You mentioned “full time” single mother, which sounds as if you are currently unemployed. While being unemployed will typically exclude you from some emergency back rent programs, it could make you a candidate for other programs that assist with emergency housing and transitional living arrangements. Here is what is available.

Southern Maryland Rescue Ministries

This religious-based charity can provide much needed emergency assistance when a family finds themselves threatened with homelessness. A recent or impending eviction can make finding a temporary place to stay a critical need.

The staff and volunteers that provide assistance can help match you with available options that will fit the needs of your family. Obviously some care will be taken to ensure that families with children are housed separately from any single adults.

While the charity operates from Waldorf and Prince Frederick, they do send representatives to St. Mary’s Caring Soup Kitchen. To find out more about meeting with a staff member, call Southern Maryland Rescue Ministries at 800-918-5615.

DSS

The Department of Social Services does offer cash for local residents in need. This can be used towards rent or utilities, although there may be other qualifying needs that could be approved for grant aid.

DSS often provides funding to tenants who are in arrears and need help preventing an eviction. This type of emergency aid is provided through a welfare avoidance grant. It comes in the form of a single cash payment that can help a tenant recover from a temporary crisis while remaining in the same rental property.

The other form of assistance offered by DSS may be more appropriate for your situation. The Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) program provides protection from long-term issues that prevent a tenant from being able to afford rent. It appears that since you may be out of work, you may need additional support while you find suitable employment to cover all of your family’s needs.

Child care can often be an issue when a single parent is trying to find work. DSS can help you apply for child care assistance so that you may return to work. Call 240-895-7000 for the St Mary’s County Department of Social Services, or you may apply for aid in person at 12110 Leonard Hall Drive in Leonardtown.

St. Vincent de Paul Of Baltimore

This local chapter of a national charitable organization can provide emergency rental assistance and other financial support. It is geared towards helping those who have been turned away from other aid organizations.

If either of the first two organizations are unable to assist, then you can find additional support through St. Vincent de Paul. Through homelessness and supportive housing programs, the organization provides ongoing support to families that fall through the cracks of government aid agencies.

For more information about programs, call 410-662-0500.

All three of these resources can be helpful. Making contact right away can provide for greater options if an eviction is imminent.