Town of Upper Marlboro Emergency Relief Fund

The ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds set aside (FY2022) rental and utility assistance of $15,000.00. The decision of how much and who gets assistance will be determined by a review board comprised of Board of Commissioners, Town Staff and Community Partners.

The criteria for this decision will be based on the following:

*Extent of financial hardship

*Proof of residency within the Town of Upper Marlboro (Not Greater/Unincorporated Upper Marlboro)

*Copies of past due bills / invoices for back rent and utilities. (cable bills not eligible)

Amounts will be awarded with a cap for each type of assistance:

Rental - $400.00 Cap
Utility - $400.00 Cap
Residents can only receive one or the other. Not both.

Any money from the Town of Upper Marlboro Emergency Relief Fund will be paid directly to the rental (landlord) or utility company. No resident of the Town of Upper Marlboro will be given any money directly. In additon to financial assistance the Town will also provide technical assistance in filling out applications for further assistance from other sources. The Town will also work with an advocate for resident customers if they are having difficulty with the administration of the assistance programs or other issues.

Emergency Relief Application

Pepco Reminds Customers “We’re Here To Help” As Millions of Dollars Remains Available to Support Customers Who May Be Struggling

Over 31,000 Pepco customers received $58 million in assistance in 2021 alone.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 4, 2022) — Pepco is reminding customers of the millions of dollars that remains available to assist those who may be challenged with paying their energy bills. In addition to the extended payment arrangements and assistance Pepco provides customers, the company supports customers in identifying federal, local and other funding that may be available to help customers meet their energy needs.

Pepco works hard to keep every customer connected by offering payment arrangements and helping customers secure grants and other support from many available energy assistance programs. In 2021 alone, Pepco helped 31,030 customers secure $57.9 million in energy assistance, funding that helps pay customer energy bills and money that customers do not need to pay back.

“Our customers need to know that we are here to help them through difficult times,” said Morlon Bell-Izzard, senior vice president and chief customer officer for Pepco Holdings. “We will help every customer understand their energy usage and their bill, and we will connect them with the support they may need to help make ends meet.”

Pepco Customer Care will work with customers having difficulty paying their energy bill by helping enroll customers into available payment options, including:

Flexible payment arrangements that offer tailored payment plans
Extending payment periods for balances
Connecting customers with energy assistance funds

Millions of dollars in energy assistance remains available for customers. Pepco works closely with its community partners to connect customers with grants and programs like LIHEAP, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. LIHEAP provides grants in varying amounts based on a household's income size, type of fuel, and type of dwelling, with no pay back required. Maryland customers can apply for LIHEAP energy assistance through the Department of Human Services website, or by calling the Maryland Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs at 1-800-332-6347. District of Columbia residents can apply for assistance online though the Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE) website or by calling 3-1-1. DOEE’s Utility Affordability Programs website provides further guidance on assistance programs available for residents who are facing financial challenges.

Other energy assistance for District residents includes:

The Residential Aid Discount (RAD) program provides energy assistance funding to income-qualified residential Pepco customers. RAD customers typically receive an average discount of 25 percent on their overall bill. Customers can check program eligibility and apply by visiting the DOEE’s web portal at doee.dc.gov/udp. Customers participating in RAD can also participate in the Arrearage Management Program (AMP), which provides customers the option to reduce or eliminate outstanding balances of over $300 that have been past due for 60 days or more. Customers can enroll by calling 202-496-5830 or emailing EnergyAssistanceMailbox@pepco.com.
Qualified District residents also can sign up for DOEE’s Solar for All program and receive up to 50 percent savings on their Pepco bill over a 15-year period. Learn more by calling 202-299-5271 or online at doee.dc.gov/solarforall.
Commercial Assistance Programs for District small businesses, houses of worship and nonprofits are also now available, including options such as installment plans, deposits held applications, budget billing and bill deferral. Additionally, District-based houses of worship and certified nonprofits may receive a reduction to their energy delivery (distribution) rate. Commercial customers can sign up for these programs by emailing BCSTPEPCO@exeloncorp.com or calling 833-504-8659.

Other energy assistance for Maryland residents includes:

Eligible Maryland customers can receive assistance through the Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP), which helps customers pay for a portion of their current electric bill. The Arrearage Retirement Assistance (ARA) program helps customers with large, past due electric bills. If eligible, customers may receive forgiveness of up to $2,000 toward their past due bill. The Utility Service Protection Program (USPP) is designed to help limited income families during the heating season. Information regarding these programs can be found on the Maryland Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs website or by calling 1-800-332-6347.
Maryland's Emergency Rental Assistance Program also has funding available to help renters pay their utility bills. Renters can call 877-546-5595.
Customers can contact Pepco at 202-833-7500 to discuss payment arrangements or visit pepco.com/EnergyAssistance to learn more about energy assistance options.

In addition to payment arrangements and energy assistance support, Pepco has many programs that can help customers manage their monthly energy bill, including Budget Billing, which averages payments over a 12-month period. The company also offers energy efficiency programs and energy saving information to help customers reduce their energy usage. Information regarding these programs can be found at pepco.com/WaysToSave.

To learn more about Pepco, visit The Source, our online newsroom. Find additional information by visiting pepco.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/PepcoConnect and on Twitter at twitter.com/PepcoConnect. Pepco's mobile app is available at pepco.com/MobileApp.

Governor Hogan Announces $200 Million Affordable Housing Package to Address Rising Costs

New Tools and Programs Will Create More Than 6,000 Additional Affordable Units Statewide

Annapolis, Md. (April 27, 2022) - Governor Larry Hogan today announced that more than $200 million in financing tools and new programs will be made available to create new affordable housing opportunities in the state. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will administer the funds to produce more than 6,000 additional units statewide amid rising construction costs and interest rates.

“During our administration, we have provided financing and tax credits to create or preserve more than 22,000 affordable rental units across the state—a level of production never before seen in the State of Maryland,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “To continue to build on these accomplishments, we are meeting the challenges created during the pandemic head on with a responsive set of tools to address shortfalls and create new housing opportunities.”

To address the shortfalls for affordable housing projects, the administration is announcing the following updates and new programs:

Increasing the Rental Housing Financing Program funds available for the 2022 competitive application round, which will be announced later this year.
Increasing the amount of Rental Housing Works financing available for ongoing projects that have yet to close financing.
Establishing the Construction Relief Fund to provide additional financing for previously funded 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and Multifamily Bond projects that are experiencing cost shortfalls.
Establishing the Development Relief Fund for projects that previously received a 9% LIHTC award.
Establishing the Multifamily Capital Fund which will provide additional financing in FY23 for projects related to the State of Maryland’s economic growth and development activities and initiatives.
Establishing the Emerging Developer Pre-Development Loan Fund to support projects by newer developers working with historically undercapitalized communities.

“Even though COVID-19 has impacted our efforts to respond to an ongoing shortage of affordable housing, affecting supply chains, construction costs, interest rates, and labor, our department has worked with its development partners to find solutions,” said Secretary Kenneth C. Holt. “With the new initiatives announced today, we are working to ensure the state has a successful economic recovery that includes new affordable housing opportunities for Marylanders.”

Additional details on these program updates can be found at Multifamily Notice 22-10.

Marylanders looking to access affordable rental housing can search and find current Maryland listings with accessibility features, amenities, affordability, and more at MDHousingSearch.org. Visitors to the site can also view information about future leasing opportunities for projects that are currently under construction.

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