Mayor Gary Christenson and the Malden Redevelopment Authority (MRA) with the support of the City Council launched the new Malden Rental Assistance Fund to help low-income Malden households unable to pay their rent due to the COVID-19 crisis. The program will pay for one month’s rent for an estimated 300-400 eligible households. Residents can apply to the program through May 28th at www.cityofmalden.org/rent.
“Our community is hurting, and it is our responsibility and our privilege to come together to help ensure that our residents stay in their homes,” said Mayor Gary Christenson. “The Malden Rental Assistance Fund will make a big difference in the lives of hundreds of Malden families who are struggling to make ends meet.”
“We are proud to partner with the City to administer this vital program to help stabilize Malden households during these turbulent times,” said Malden Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Deborah Burke. “We strongly encourage all low-income Malden renters who are unable to pay their rent due to COVID-19 to apply.”
The MRA is administering the rental assistance program with the help of two non-profit housing organizations. The program is accepting applications for rental assistance through Thursday, May 28th. To apply or learn more about the program, residents can visit www.cityofmalden.org/rent.
The Malden Rental Assistance Fund is funded with $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds secured through the federal CARES Act, and with $250,000 in Malden Community Preservation Act funds. The program will cover the cost of one month’s rent for an estimated 300-400 eligible low-income households. Because the demand for rental assistance will likely exceed the funds available, eligible households will be entered into a lottery to determine which households will receive funding. Households that are accepted in the lottery will be invited to work with the MRA’s non-profit housing partners to complete their applications and provide backup documentation. After approval of the housing provider and the MRA, rent will be paid directly to the landlord.
The City and the MRA are also working to launch a small business assistance program to help local Malden businesses suffering in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.