Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County is urging renters who have lost work or wages directly due to COVID-19 to reach out for assistance now. Rental assistance is still available for residents of Wicomico County through Wicomico Habitat, with exclusions for residents in the City of Salisbury limits. Those within the City of Salisbury limits should contact the Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Service.
“We are urging renters impacted economically by COVID-19 to not wait for the Sheriff or a court date,” said Molly Hilligoss, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County. “The process takes up to six weeks, so if you are one to three months behind, now is the time to ask for help. We can pay up to $1200 per month for three months total, but we need the time to get your application through the system.”
Understanding hundreds of thousands of Marylanders currently face eviction, and recognizing the growing housing crisis, Maryland’s General Assembly has put forth a Housing Justice Package to address the housing issues stemming from COVID-19, which they will be considering in their 90-day session that began January 13.
Through the rental assistance program, Wicomico Habitat served 10 families in the week of January 11-15, and has in total saved 62 families from eviction. That figure adds up to $191,747.93 in paid rent for struggling individuals and families.
“We believe we will have the capacity to serve another 150-200 families with the remaining $411,976.93, but funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis,” said Hilligoss.
Community members are urged to share rental assistance information with anyone who may be in need. Applicants are asked to begin the process by using the mini app at the agency’s website, www.wicomicohabitat.org.
About Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County
As a Christian housing ministry, Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and people of all faiths to make homeownership of decent, affordable homes a matter of conscience and action. Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County was founded in 1987; since then the affiliate has built 68 homes locally. Through volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent homes with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat homes are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable, no-interest loans. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments come back to the affiliate to help build more homes for more families.
