“I’m about to lose my house, what can I do?”, "Can you help me with my mortgage?"

If you have tried to resolve a problem with your landlord or mortgage lender without reaching a solution, Congressman Ivey's office may be able to help.

• You can access information on homeownership, avoiding foreclosure, rental assistance, and more in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)'s Maryland portal. For general questions about HUD, contact the Baltimore Field Office on the fifth floor of the City Crescent Building, 10 S. Howard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. You can also reach them by phone at (410) 962-2520.

Have a dispute with your landlord?

• The Maryland Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division has a mediation unit that can help you try to resolve a dispute with your landlord. You can file a complaint online at their website, or reach them at (410) 528-8662.
• The Legal Aid Bureau is a private, nonprofit firm that offers free legal services for residents seeking assistance in resolving a landlord-tenant dispute. Click HERE to find your closest office location and contact information.

Where can I find an affordable rental unit?

• You can click HERE to use the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's online search tool to find a low-rent apartment in Maryland.
• For Prince George’s County residents, the Prince George’s County Housing Authority can assist you in finding an affordable rental unit, and provide housing assistance. You can find more information on their website HERE. You can also call their office at (301) 883-5501.
• For Montgomery County residents, the Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission can assist you in finding an affordable rental unit, and provide housing assistance. You can find out more information on their website HERE. You can also call their office at (240) 777-0311.

Can I live in a public housing community? 

• The Public Housing program was created to assist lower-income families in obtaining a safe place to live at a rent they can afford. Eligible applicants are leased within various public housing developments that are primarily HUD-financed and owned by the Housing Authority. Eligible low-income tenants pay about 30 percent of their gross adjusted income for rent. The rental assistance is attached to the unit so tenants cannot "take" the assistance with them if they move. Section 8 vouchers are not accepted. 
• To apply for Public Housing in Prince George’s County, contact the Prince George’s County Housing Authority at (301) 883-5501.
• To apply for Public Housing in Montgomery County, contact the Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission at (240) 777-0311.

Can I be moved up on the public housing wait list?

• Unfortunately, Congressman Ivey's office is unable to expedite wait times.

What is a Section 8 Housing Voucher?

• Formerly known as Section 8, the Housing Choice Voucher Program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Participants that are issued a voucher are responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of their choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the participant's present residence.
• A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the local Public Housing agency on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program. Under certain circumstances, a family may use its voucher to purchase a modest home.

How can I avoid foreclosure?

• The Making Home Affordable (MHA) program is the government initiative that helps struggling homeowners get mortgage relief through a variety of programs that aid in mortgage modifications, interest rate reductions, refinancing, deferred payment or transitioning out of your home while avoiding foreclosure. More than 100 mortgage companies have agreed to participate in the MHA program and all mortgage companies with loans owned by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are required to participate, though not all homeowners will be eligible.

I am not behind on my mortgage payments but I can't get traditional refinancing.

• If you are not behind on your mortgage payments but have been unable to get traditional refinancing because the value of your home has declined, you may be eligible to refinance through MHA's Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). HARP refinance loans require a loan application and underwriting process and refinance fees will apply.

Where can I find a reliable home foreclosure counselor?

• Click here for a list of all HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in Maryland.

I think I am a victim of mortgage fraud.

• The federal government's Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) offers a toll-free number you can call for mortgage-related complaints to make sure you're getting a fair deal on your mortgage, and hold banks and brokers accountable if you're not.
• The CFPB will send each consumer complaint to the right financial institution for review and resolution. If the institution does not resolve the issue, then CFPB can directly investigate your issue and make sure that these financial institutions are held accountable for following federal law.
• Call the hotline at 855-411-2372. You can also submit your complaints online on their website.