Are you a Howard County resident who is homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness? 

All clients experiencing housing issues, including those seeking shelter or in need of help with a pending eviction, need to first contact the Grassroots Crisis Hotline at 410-531-6677.  Grassroots will do a housing assessment and provide you with information and available resources based on your specific needs. 

*Please note that the Grassroots Crisis Hotline is a different number than the Grassroots Shelter number.

 

Addiction 

Affordable Housing

COVID-19 Resources

    • Veterans or Persons with Disabilities with Dependent Children can apply for additional economic impact payments. You may be eligible for additional Economic Impact Benefits of $500 per child added to the standard $1,200 Economic Impact Benefit.
    • 2-1-1 Maryland (211):  Statewide resource available by telephone and internet (211.org) to connect residents to health and human resources
    • Grassroots (410-531-6677):  24/7 Crisis Intervention, Shelter for the Homeless, Suicide Prevention, Counseling 
    • Grassroots Emergency Shelter (410-531-6006):  the only general emergency shelter in Howard County at 6700 Freetown Road in Columbia, MD.   The program has 33 beds for families and single adult women experiencing a shelter crisis
    • HopeWorks (410-997-0304) Counseling, Shelter, Legal Assistance and advocacy for people in Howard County affected by sexual and intimate partner violence

Eviction Prevention

    • Community Action Council (410-313-6440):  Housing Assistance Eviction Prevention, energy assistance and weatherization, early childhood education, food assistance
    • FISH of Howard County (410-964-8660):  Eviction prevention, food, financial assistance, referral information and other aid to county residents with legitimate emergency needs
    • LARS (Laurel Advocacy & Referral Services) (301-776-0442):  can assist any Howard County resident that lives in Laurel, MD specifically zip code 20723.  Short-term financial assistance to prevent evictions and utility stoppage; assistance with security deposits and first month’s rent; vouchers for eyeglasses, hearing aids, clothing and furniture; referrals for shelter, food pantry, supportive housing program 

Family and Children Services 

    • Child Care Subsidy Central (CCS Central) (410-659-7701): Financial assistance with child care costs to eligible working families in Maryland
    • Family & Children’s Services of Central Maryland (410-997-3557) :   Provides families, children, and elders in Baltimore and the surrounding counties with social services focused on prevention, intervention, counseling, and advocacy 
    • FIRN (410-992-1923):  Empowers immigrants, refugees, asylees and other foreign-born individuals by helping them to access community resources and opportunities (orientation to life in the United States, Immigration counseling, Language connection and interpreting, etc.)  
    • HCPSS Office of Student Services, Pupil Personnel (410-313-6646):  Identify and address barriers in school, at home, and in the community that interfere with academic and social achievement of all students
    • HCPSS Infants and Toddlers Program (410-313-7017):  Services for eligible children birth to three years of age who have developmental delays are provided in home and community settings as determined by the Individualized Family Service Plan
    • Howard County Office on Aging and Independence (410-313-1234):   Independent Senior and Disability Housing options
    • Howard County Office of Children and Families (410-313-1940):  Provide information and access to resources for families to ensure all children in our community thrive
    • The Gabriel Network (301-637-3223):   Maternity housing, shelter and referrals for women and families challenged with a crisis pregnancy

Financial Stability

    • Credit Donkey: Helpful information on managing money, locating assistance programs, and building skills for those currently experiencing homelessness.
    • Howard County Workforce Development (410-290-2620):  Job search and resume assistance, a resource center with access to computers, copy and fax machines, telephones, and printers  
    • Making Change (443-518-7647):  Financial coaching, free tax prep, and other financial services, including trainings, events, and seminars
    • Salvation Army of Central Maryland (443-656-3376):  Utility assistance, clothing assistance, food bank, referral services 
    • SNAP (410-872-8700):  Helps low-income households buy the food they need for good health
    • WIC (410-767-5242):  Supplemental Nutrition Program for women, infants, and children under age 5

General Resources

Legal/Landlord-Tenant

Need help outside Howard County? 

Resources Outside of Howard County