IMPORTANT INFORMATION: THERE IS NO LONGER A MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS!
We understand that this is a very uncertain and frightening time for tens of thousands of tenants who have been negatively affected by the pandemic and are currently at risk of eviction. The ACDS Eviction Prevention Program and Community Legal Services have a very strong relationship designed to do everything possible to help you through this difficult time.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
- If you receive any notices from the sheriff with a date for scheduled eviction, notify ACDS at 410-222-3999 and contact Community Legal Services immediately at (240) 391-6370. You can also complete an on-line intake at: https://www.legal-trak.com/CaseManagement/OnlineInTake/OnlineInTake/3?skipPayment=true or reach CLS by e-mail at: evictionprevention@clspgc.org.
- CLS will assess your situation and see what steps can be taken to stop the eviction and/or negotiate with your landlord to allow time for your rental assistance application to be processed.
- If you have not already done so, APPLY FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE through ACDS at https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/acds/Participant.
- If you have already applied for rental assistance, make sure all your supporting documents have been submitted so your application can be processed quickly and smoothly.
- If you receive the yellow court notice titled “Landlord’s Complaint for Failure to Pay Rent,” call Community Legal Services. CLS can provide advice and/or representation for you so that you have support through the court process.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATIONS: ACDS is currently experiencing a high volume of applications for the Eviction Prevention Program. If you have already submitted your application and completed all the necessary steps, we will assign you to a Case Manager as soon as possible. This may take 30 days or longer. If you need assistance completing the application, require a special accommodation, or have general questions, please email info@acdsinc.org and a representative will get back to you within 24-48 hours. If you have received a “SHERIFF’S NOTICE” and been given a specific date for the eviction, please contact ACDS at 410-222-3999.
NOTE TO TENANTS AND LANDLORDS: ACDS cannot assist with paying for arrears for tenants who have already been evicted or who have already vacated the unit. However, tenants may be eligible for relocation assistance if they were evicted or had to move as a result of financial hardship related to the COVID-19 crisis.
The Eviction Prevention Program (EPP) provides temporary rental and utility assistance for eligible renters whose household income has been impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis. This emergency assistance is to prevent evictions and utility turn-off, and is subject to funding availability. For more information about our program, click: HERE
To initiate an application for Eviction Prevention Program assistance, click on the link below. Applications are generally processed on a first come, first served basis, with consideration given to households facing urgent circumstances (imminent or recent eviction), households whose incomes are at or below 50% of the Area Median Income, and households with one or more individuals who are unemployed as a result of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Assistance is subject to available funding.
Apply Now (English and Español)
Free Legal Assistance for Tenants Facing Eviction is Available:
Community Legal Services provides FREE LEGAL ADVICE and representation for tenants who have been sued for eviction for rent-related reasons. Find information about eligibility and how to apply here: Free Legal Assistance. Para asistencia legal: CLS Info en español.
Information for HACA Residents Facing Eviction (English and Español)
If you are a landlord, click the link above for information about the Eviction Prevention Program, including a sample Landlord Agreement. The Eviction Prevention Program provides payment for rental arrears, prospective rent, and in some cases, relocation assistance for tenants who have been displaced as a result of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Please note that the Eviction Prevention Program cannot pay arrears for tenants who have been evicted or who have vacated their rental property.
Para asistencia de ACDS en Espanol por favor llame al 410-222-7600 y selecione la opcion “3”
How the Eviction Prevention Program Works
Eligible Applicants
Rental households must demonstrate that they are:
- Anne Arundel County residents
- At least one member of the household qualified for Unemployment Insurance benefits after March 16, 2020 or experienced a reduction in income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 outbreak
- Income at or below 80% AMI as defined HERE
- Do not have enough income, saving, assets or other resources to pay housing costs
- One or more members of household can demonstrate a risk of homelessness or housing instability in the form of a past due utility or rent notice, an eviction notice, unsafe or unhealthy living conditions or other evidence of such risk.
- Holds a lease or sublease of unit
Public Housing, Subsidized Housing and Housing Choice Voucher Residents
Residents residing in subsidized housing, public housing, or receiving a Housing Choice Voucher or other rental subsidy through either the Housing Commission of Anne Arundel County (HCAAC) or Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis (HACA) should first contact your management office or HCAAC/HACA agency staff to have your rent payments re-calculated based on current income.
How to Apply
Select one of the below options
- The application for the ACDS 2021 Eviction Prevention Program is online here. You will be asked to provide information about your household, your household income and how your household income was negatively affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Whenever possible, please provide all documentation requested. However, please do not abandon your application if you do not have a requested document! Your Case Manager may be able to assist you in obtaining the document, or there may be acceptable alternative documentation.
- Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation or assistance in completing the application may contact 410-222-7600 (dial “2”) to leave name, phone number, and email.
Required Documentation
Applicants must provide supporting documentation, including, but not limited to the following:
- Verification of household income (i.e. W-2, pay-stubs and/or tax returns, bank statements)
- Eviction notice or correspondence from landlord indicating the tenant is in arrears and amount owed
- Unpaid utility bill or utility shut-off notice
- Rental/lease agreement or sublease (at minimum front page and signature page)
- Photo identification for all adult members of household
- Evidence of loss of employment or employment income due to COVID-19
Once the Case Manager receives all documentation, they will review to determine eligibility. Please note that payments will be made directly to the landlord or utility company.
Income Limits
Applicants must have income at or below 80% of AMI, as defined by HUD and as indicated below, adjusted for household size. (total 2020 household income or multiply total current monthly household income by 12)
| Household Size | Income Limit |
| 1 | $55,950 |
| 2 | $63,950 |
| 3 | $71,950 |
| 4 | $79,900 |
| 5 | $86,300 |
| 6 | $92,700 |
| 7 | $99,100 |