CDC Issues Eviction Moratorium Through December 31, 2020
On September 1, 2020, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a four month halt on evictions to keep millions of tenants in place with the hope of preventing the spread of the coronavirus and making it illegal for landlords to evict tenants who can’t afford to pay their rent through the end of the year.
Tenants earning less than $99,000 (or $198,000 jointly) may receive this protection, which took effect on September 4 and will last until December 31. Qualifying renters will need to present landlords with a written declaration of their circumstances.
There are concerns that the ban on evictions doesn’t go far enough: although tenants will be able to remain in their homes, they will still be required to meet rent obligations. “While an eviction moratorium is essential, it is a half-measure that extends a financial cliff for renters to fall off when the moratorium expires and back rent is owed. This action delays but does not prevent evictions,” said Diane Yentel, President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
If you are concerned about foreclosure or eviction in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, we can help you navigate these uncertain times. If you need to contact an attorney, please email us here or leave a voicemail at 410-366-8550 ext. 209.
St. Ambrose helps families access resources, provides support during times of uncertainty, and have a place to call home.
Read on to see how St. Ambrose is assisting residents through COVID-19, how Gerald found peace of mind, information on Homeowners’ Tax Credit applications and much more. Also, be sure to check out the information below to see ways you can support this work.
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How St. Ambrose is Helping Residents Navigate COVID-19
As St. Ambrose transitioned from providing services in-person to going almost completely virtual, we’ve continued to support our residents by providing resources for those affected by COVID-19.
"We have assisted in obtaining services or directing residents for help with food, utility payment resources, obtaining Personal Protective Equipment, as well as rental payment resources for qualified participants. Internally, St. Ambrose has waived all late fees for our residents during the pandemic, and implemented additional maintenance and janitorial services to ensure the buildings stay sanitized and disinfected," said Director of Rental Services, Shinay Jones.
The Rental Services Program at St. Ambrose has been at the core of the agency's mission for over 30 years. With an estimated 70,000 cost-burdened households (defined as paying more than 30% of income on housing) in the region, there’s no question about the dire need for affordable rentals.
Did you know? In Baltimore City, a person earning minimum wage would need to work 96 hours every week to afford a two-bedroom apartment.
You can make sure families have what they need to survive and thrive by mailing a check or donating to St. Ambrose online. Your generosity provides hope for a brighter, better future for all of our families.
For questions or additional information about Rental Services at St. Ambrose, please contact us at 410-366-8550 ext. 204.
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Why Advance Healthcare Directives are Vital
Gerald had an upcoming high-risk surgical procedure. The 71-year-old Baltimore native needed a legal document to guide his health care providers in the event that something went wrong.
Gerald walked into St. Ambrose’s office two days before his procedure. A St. Ambrose attorney prepared an advance directive for Gerald free of charge. This advance directive ensured that if there were a complication during the surgery, one of Gerald’s loved ones had the authority to make healthcare decisions on his behalf. It also allowed Gerald to dictate what kind of medical treatment he would receive ahead of time if he were to suffer a major debilitation. From start to finish, St. Ambrose attorneys addressed Gerald’s needs in less than an hour, giving him time and peace of mind.
Read Gerald's story here.
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Homeowners’ Tax Credit
Application Due October 1
Owning a home in Maryland is expensive and the State still has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country. The Homeowner's Property Tax Credit Program can help!
What is the Homeowners' Property Tax Credit Program?
The State of Maryland has developed a program which allows credits against the homeowner's property tax bill if the property taxes exceed a fixed percentage of the person's gross income. In other words, it sets a limit on the amount of property taxes- which saves you money. Watch this short video explaining how the credit works.
A new application must be filed every year if you wish to be considered for a tax credit. The deadline to submit your free application is 10/1/2020.
Homeowners' tax credit applications can be filed online here. If you have questions or would like assistance completing the application, contact St. Ambrose attorneys today.
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St. Ambrose Counselors are HUD Certified!
Congratulations to our St. Ambrose Housing Counselors!
We are excited to announce that ALL St. Ambrose Housing Counselors have officially passed their HUD Certification Exam, which is a new national accreditation. This ensures that each of our Housing Counselors has been trained and certified at the highest levels to be a trusted resource for helping you assess your financial situation and evaluate your housing options. They can also talk to your mortgage servicers and help you avoid or navigate the foreclosure process.
Congratulations Pam, Jackie, and Grace for your hard work and dedication!
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2020 Community Investment Tax Credits Are Available!
Community Investment Tax credits help St. Ambrose raise critical funds that support families with programs that are both innovative and reliable. As COVID-19 has shown us all, the work to ensure that individuals and families have a pathway to secure, stable housing, is critical today and every day.
Tax credits can help support the vital work of providing affordable housing, protecting families, and pursuing justice while significantly reducing the out-of-pocket cost of your donation.When you make a donation of $500 or more to St. Ambrose, you may be eligible to receive a Maryland Community Investment Tax Credit equal to 50% of the value of your donation. Community investment tax credits are in addition to Federal and State charitable tax deductions.
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Upcoming Virtual Workshops
Be sure to register for St. Ambrose’s Virtual Home-Buying Workshops!
St. Ambrose is offering FREE Zoom Homebuyer Education Workshops. The workshop can be viewed directly from your home computer or smart phone. You would need to make sure that your computer is equipped with a web camera to view the workshop.
Baltimore County Home-Buying Workshop
Date: Saturday, October 10th, 2020
*Registration opens September 18th
Baltimore City Home-Buying Workshop
Date: Saturday, October 17th, 2020
*Registration opens September 25th
All workshops are held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You MUST register to attend the workshops.
Questions? Please contact us by calling 410-366-8550 ext. 249 or email us here.
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If you're worried about foreclosure, eviction, losing your home, or being unable to pay rent, we are here for you. Check out the resources we've created below and contact us today. |
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