RAP pays $500 a month in Baltimore rental assistance

Tenants who have experienced difficulty in paying their rent could receive up to $560 a month for a year through the Baltimore Rental Allowance Program (RAP).

You may already be familiar with some of the Baltimore rental assistance programs that are designed to provide much-needed help with rent payments for lower income households. Some programs are designed for residents who need temporary help, such as assistance with back rent and eviction prevention.

The Baltimore RAP is intended to help needy residents who may have already been turned away from other aid programs. This can be a real benefit for those families who may have fallen through the cracks of other assistance programs.

For example, many programs require that you are already admitted to the federal Section 8 housing program. The Baltimore RAP is only available to those who have not already been receiving housing choice vouchers.

Income limits do apply. If you are applying on behalf of only yourself, then you may qualify you earn under $1500 per month. Eligibility limits increase for larger household sizes.

You’ll need to show evidence that you are about to be evicted from your current rental property. You will need to bring the eviction notice with you as you apply for rental assistance through the RAP.

If you qualify, you could receive between $340 and $560 every month for a full year. This money is paid directly to your landlord on your behalf. You would be responsible for the remainder of your rent payment. While the rental assistance is intended to last a longer than one year, some tenants may be approved to receive benefits beyond one year.

To apply you need to contact one of the following agencies:

• Call 443-423-6001 for the Baltimore City Department of Social Services
• Call 443-984-2222 for the Housing Authority of Baltimore City
• Call 410-887-3937 for the Office of Community Conservation for Baltimore County

You may be referred for rental assistance funds through the Baltimore rental allowance program by case managers at one of the state agencies or from the Red Cross.

You should expect to bring documentation to show that you may face eviction or homelessness without the assistance. Make sure that you have Social Security cards and proof of income for household members as well as birth certificates and photo identification.

If you’ve struggled to pay your rent and need just a bit of help then the Baltimore rental assistance RAP could help you stay current with all of your rent payments for the next year. This help could be just enough to help you save money and focus on increasing your income so that you can break free from economic hardship.