Are you a renter with a student attending one of the Community Schools in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties?

Are you struggling to pay rent, facing eviction or experiencing homelessness?

The Community Schools Rental Assistance Program (CSRAP) helps families with students enrolled in designated Community Schools who are struggling to pay rent, facing eviction, or experiencing homelessness. Through emergency financial assistance, the program helps families remain housed or secure new, stable housing, so that students can stay focused on learning and success.

About the Program

CSRAP is funded by Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) through its Homelessness Solutions Program, in partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education (MDSE) and the Governor’s Office for Children. Housing Initiative Partnership (HIP) – a nonprofit counseling agency – administers the program for Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties.

Important Notice: Submitting a CSRAP application does not guarantee approval. All applications are carefully reviewed for eligibility and are subject to available funding.

How Can This Program Help Me?

If your household qualifies for assistance, CSRAP can provide assistance to help you:

Pay overdue rent and utility bills, including late fees and court fees associated with eviction filings
Relocate to new housing by covering move-in cost such as security deposit, first month’s rent, utility deposit, and future rent assistance to help stabilize your housing
Pay future rent to prevent housing loss

Who is Eligible?

To qualify for assistance, you must:

Have a student enrolled in a designated Community School in one of the following counties (note – Not all public schools are Community Schools):
- Montgomery County Community Schools
- Prince George’s County Community Schools
Be renting or actively seeking to lease a new rental unit
(Homeowners are not eligible.)
Be experiencing housing instability, such as facing eviction or utility cut-off, homelessness, or be behind in paying rent or utilities

How to Apply

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Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Review the eligibility requirements above. Your student must attend a Community School (not all public schools are Community Schools). If your student’s school is not on the list, you are not eligible for this program.

MC Community Schools | PGC Community Schools
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Step 2: Gather the Required Documents

Use the Document Checklist to collect the paperwork you will need.
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Step 3: Contact your designated Community School staff to complete and submit your CSRAP application. Find your school’s contact here:

MC Community School Contacts

PG Community School Contacts
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Step 4: Monitor your email for updates and respond promptly to any requests for additional documentation.

Note: If you are unable to reach your Community School staff, email csrap@hiphomes.org or call 301-245-3907 for an alternative method to submit your application. Please leave a voice message and a HIP staff member will return your call within 24 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this information available in different languages?

Yes. At the top-right corner of the website page there is a drop-down menu that gives you the option to translate the information into 3 languages (Amharic, French, and Spanish).

If additional translations are needed, please call 301-245-3907 and leave a voicemail message. HIP staff will return your calls within 24 hours.

Is there an income criteria or limit?

At this time, there are no income level requirements for applicants. However, we are required to collect income information as part of the application process.

Do I need to inform my landlord that I’m applying?

Yes. It is important to notify your landlord that you are applying for the program. The landlord will need to provide documentation in order to receive assistance, and program staff will contact the landlord during the application review process.

Refer to the Document Checklist for details on the specific documents landlords must provide.

Where can I obtain the program forms?

Your designated Community School staff has access to all program forms and can assist you in completing them while helping with your application.

Who gets priority for help?

Tenant applications are prioritized by date of submission. However, priority is given to the following applications:

Meet definition of homelessness under McKinney-Vento
Family has judgement for failure to pay rent or eviction notice
Family has Notice of Intent to file for eviction or is awaiting court hearing
Other eligible families (Disconnected utilities, undocumented or mixed immigration/status, etc.)

How long can I receive assistance?

The program provides up to 12 months of assistance for rent and utility arrearages. An additional 3 months of assistance may be available on a case-by-case basis, for a maximum total of 15 months of support.

What type of assistance does CSRAP cover?

Rental Arrears: Assistance for past-due rent, including late and court costs.
Utility Arrears: Covers overdue utility bills and related fees.
Prospective Rent: Provides 1–3 months of forward rent assistance, depending on individual circumstances.
Relocation Assistance: One-time help with security deposits, application fees, and up to 3 months of rent for a new unit.
Arrears Support (Prior Housing): For tenants who left or were evicted from a prior unit with unpaid rent.

All documentation is required to determine eligibility from both the tenant and the landlord.
If approved, payments are usually made to your landlord or utility company within 30 days.
You will receive notice of payment when funds are sent on your behalf.