Rental Assistance for Older Adult Households
May 8, 2025 – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced the launch of the County’s Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) new Older Adult Rental Assistance Program. This new program aims to assist low-income households consisting of at least one older adult that are housing cost burdened due to high rent payments, by providing a rental subsidy worth up to $400 per month. The subsidy will be paid directly to the landlord for up to 24 months for a total assistance amount of $9,600.
To administer this rental assistance program, DHCD has partnered with the United Way of Central Maryland. To be eligible for the program, income-eligible households must have at least one household member who is 62 or older and spend more than 30 percent of the household’s gross monthly income on rent.
Residents interested in applying, can either self-refer by calling 211, emailing housingquestions@uwcm.org, or completing the “Howard County Older Adult Rental Assistance Program Referral Form” online, or be referred by agencies serving in the community. A case manager from United Way will respond to calls, emails, and completed referral requests. Program eligibility will be based on a review of household income and rent payment amount. Additionally, as program funding is limited, funding will only be available to the first 100 qualified applicants who meet the program guidelines.
To more learn more about this program, check out the program’s fliers online (in English; en Español).