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.

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
Housing Initiative Partnership, Inc.

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):

    UPDATE 12/04/25 – At this time, all new Montgomery County applications will be placed on a waitlist. Since the Montgomery County program launched on Oct 22, 2025, we have received an unusually high volume of applications. Based on current funding levels, it is likely that available funds will be fully exhausted by applications already received. If you have questions, email CSRAP@hiphomes.org.

    UPDATE 11/21/25 – At this time, all new Prince George’s County applications will be placed on a waitlist. Since the Prince George’s County program launched on Oct 22, 2025, we have received an unusually high volume of applications. Based on current funding levels, it is likely that available funds will be fully exhausted by applications already received. If you have questions, email CSRAP@hiphomes.org.

  • 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

  • 1

    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. At this time, new applications for both Montgomery County and Prince George’s County are being placed on waitlists. See notices below with effective dates.

    MC Community Schools  |  PGC Community Schools

    WAITLIST NOTICES –

    As of 11/21/2025, all new Prince George’s County applications will be placed on a waitlist.

    As of 12/04/2025, all new Montgomery County applications will be placed on a waitlist. 

    Since the Community Schools Rental Assistance Program launched on October 22, 2025, we have received an unusually high volume of applications. Based on current funding levels, it is likely that available funds will be fully exhausted by applications already received. If you have questions, please email CSRAP@hiphomes.org.

  • 2

    Step 2: Gather the Required Documents

    Use the Document Checklist to collect the paperwork you will need.

  • 3

    Step 3: Contact HIP at CSRAP@hiphomes.org to receive an application and be placed on the Waitlist.

    MC Community Schools Contacts
    PGC Community Schools Contacts

    UPDATE 12/04/25 – At this time, all new Montgomery County applications will be placed on a waitlist. Since the Montgomery County program launched on October 22, 2025, we have received an unusually high volume of applications. Based on current funding levels, it is likely that available funds will be fully exhausted by applications already received. If you have questions, email CSRAP@hiphomes.org.

    UPDATE 11/21/25 – At this time, all new Prince George’s County applications will be placed on a waitlist. Since the Prince George’s County program launched on October 22, 2025, we have received an unusually high volume of applications. Based on current funding levels, it is likely that available funds will be fully exhausted by applications already received. If you have questions, email CSRAP@hiphomes.org.

  • 4

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

CONTACTS: 

Please email HIP at csrap@hiphomes.org or call 301-245-3907. Leave a voice message and a HIP staff member will return your call within 24 hours.

Share Your Feedback:

If you have applied for assistance, or helped someone apply for assistance through CSRAP, please complete a brief survey.

To complete the survey, visit the CSRAP Feedback Survey​ or scan the QR code:

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

  • 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.

You do not need a driver’s license, birth certificate, Social Security card, or proof of citizenship/immigration. Original documentation is never required.

Status updates will come from both the email addresses, noreply-csrap@hiphomes.org and csrap@hiphomes.org.

You will be notified that your application was received, when it is under review, if additional documentation is needed, and if it is approved or denied. If you do not receive these communications, please check your spam folder.

Our goal is to review all completed applications within 14 days.

  • 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.

Resources

State of Maryland

Renter Resources

Montgomery County

Renter Resources

Prince George's County

Renter Resources