BALTIMORE — A financial assistance program for renters in Baltimore is partnering with an organization accused of facilitating illegal immigration into the United States.
Baltimore City’s Rental Assistance Program, an initiative of the city’s Office of Children and Family Success (MOCFS), resumed accepting application submissions this month. The project is accepting applications until November 19th for financial assistance to cover rent, pay security deposits, and prevent evictions.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott touted the initiative as an innovative safety net for residents facing eviction and homelessness.
“Rental assistance like this is a critical tool to support some of Baltimore’s most vulnerable residents and prevent long-term housing instability,” Mayor Scott wrote in a press release. “This relatively short-term assistance has the potential to fundamentally change the lives of residents,” said the families who receive it. On behalf of Baltimoreans from all walks of life, I would like to thank the teams at MOCFS and BCCAP whose thoughtfulness and hard work made the distribution possible. ”
The release states that funding for the program “spans federal, state, and local funding sources, each with its own schedule and income eligibility criteria.” Only Baltimore City residents whose households earn 80 percent or less of the “area median income” are eligible for assistance under this program.
Applicants must also live in a rental unit that is registered and licensed in Baltimore City, have a signed rental agreement and provide other documentation, according to the release.
After registering on the program’s online portal, residents seeking assistance are directed to an application requesting housing and income information. Before submitting an application, applicants must agree to a consent form granting the City the right to release information to third-party partners.
“I understand that the information I provide may be shared with various agencies/entities affiliated with MOCFS to streamline the processing of my application,” the application states. . “I designate the organizations listed below as designated recipients of the information I provide.”
Among the organizations listed on that page is CASA, a Latino immigrant advocacy group. CASA recently came under national scrutiny after several Republican lawmakers accused it of encouraging illegal immigration. Lawmakers proposed cutting funding to CASA and similar groups.
“[Non-governmental organizations] And nonprofits are acting as a leg up on the Biden-Harris administration’s mass immigration policies by helping undocumented immigrants stay here for years after they cross the border illegally.” said Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida). I wrote. “The federal government should not fund the destruction of its own country.”
Maryland State Representative Kathy Sheriga told Maryland Spotlight that the city’s partnership with CASA seems to raise concerns about misuse of taxpayer dollars.
“Government agencies funded by taxpayer dollars must prioritize support for the American people.”Governor Wes Moore highlighted Maryland’s severe housing shortage, with 96,000 Housing is needed, and I ask Governor Moore to join me in calling for state and local agencies to focus on housing,” she wrote. We are working to help Americans during this housing crisis. ”
When given the opportunity to respond to Delegate Sheriga’s comments, CASA Executive Director Gustavo Torres did not deny that the organization seeks to assist non-citizens through its partnership with the city.
“Deputy Sheriga’s comments are a pernicious attempt to divide our community by prioritizing some lives over others,” Torres wrote. Regardless, you have the right to contribute to Maryland’s economy, pay taxes, and receive equal housing assistance.”
“Housing is a basic human right, and programs like this are essential to ensuring every child and family in Baltimore has a safe place to live,” he added. “The housing crisis will not be solved by scapegoating immigrants. We need solutions that are inclusive and compassionate for everyone.”
CASA National Communications Director Josie Flor Sapnal told Spotlight on Maryland that the group does not receive funding from the Urban Rental Program. He added that CASA does not intend to deny non-citizens who seek housing assistance through the partnership.
Other organizations listed as partnering with the rental assistance program include the Public Justice Center, a racial equity advocacy group, and the organization that aims to “increase homeownership rates for immigrant residents” in Baltimore. These include the Southeast Community Development Center.
Representatives from the Mayor’s Office and MOCFS did not respond to repeated requests for comment from Maryland Spotlight. A MOCFS spokesperson told Maryland Spotlight that they expected to receive a call from the office regarding inquiries Wednesday. That call was never received.
MOCFS received $82 million in eviction relief money from the federal government in 2020, which continued through March 2023, according to the Baltimore Sun. Maryland received $750 million in federal emergency rent assistance funds through a Congressional spending bill passed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
As of June 2023, more than 82,000 Maryland households are receiving emergency rental assistance.
MOCFS has not disclosed the amount of rent support it is providing or the specific funding source. Mayor Scott’s 2021 Eviction Prevention Program provided $2,000 per unit in deposit payments and a total of $16 million in rental assistance.
Spotlight on Maryland filed a Public Information Act request with the Baltimore Mayor’s Office to obtain an itemized budget for the 2024 rental assistance program, and the city attorney promised a response within a 30-day deadline.
The news comes as state officials warn of a potential surge in asylum seekers. State Sen. Justin Leddy (R-Carroll County) this month accused Maryland Emergency Management Director Russell Strickland of conducting a training exercise simulating how the agency would respond to an influx of new employees. denounced.
“It sounds to me like the state is hungry for this to happen,” Sen. Reddy said of the potential influx. “You can say it’s a drill, but state tax dollars shouldn’t be used for that unless it’s hosting people from North Carolina who were evacuated by the hurricane.”
“I think there’s a pretty good chance that something like this will happen,” added Rep. Ryan Naruki.
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