Meet the Team

Program Manager

Paola Villatoro is HIP’s Program Manager for the Community Schools Rental Assistance Program (CSRAP). In this role, she supervises a team whose focus is to ensure that rental assistance funding reaches eligible families as efficiently as possible.

Housing Initiative Partnership, Inc. (HIP) is the nonprofit counseling agency chosen to administer the CSRAP in partnership with the Department of Housing & Community Development and community schools in Prince George’s County and Montgomery County.

Community Schools Rental Assistance Program (CSRAP)

The CSRAP was created by Senate Bill 370 / House Bill 428 and signed into law by Governor Wes Moore in 2024. In consultation with the Maryland State Department of Education and the Governor’s Office on Children, program funding is administered to local grantees by the Maryland DHCD. The CSRAP operates in eight local jurisdictions across the State of Maryland. Families and students who are enrolled in Community Schools in these jurisdictions while experiencing homelessness or at risk for housing instability can apply for emergency financial support through the CSRAP program during periods when the application window is open and has available funding.

Paola joined HIP in the fall of 2020 in a newly created role as ERA Specialist, focused on helping struggling renters apply for the federal Covid relief funds administered through local Emergency Rent Assistance Programs developed by the City of Bowie and Prince George’s County. She was promoted to Community Outreach Specialist, focused on engaging renters and homeowners across Prince George’s County and the Purple Line Corridor to ensure they were aware of financial resources and other supportive services to maintain safe, affordable and healthy housing accommodations.

HIP’s goal is to ensure that renters who may be at risk of losing their housing security due to temporary financial hardships are connected with all available tenant resources and alternate housing options. To achieve this goal, Paola works closely with a variety of stakeholders, including nonprofit partners, landlords and property managers, faith-based leaders, local elected officials, and municipal and county Housing Departments.

Paola earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from George Mason University. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking and running, and fostering animals. She is bilingual is English and Spanish.

Paola is located in HIP’s Hyattsville office, and can be reached at (240) 388-9600 or by email.