Who Pays the Rent?
Rachel Gardner • March 31, 2021
During a pandemic when businesses are shut down, jobs and wages are lost and eviction moratoriums are in place, who pays the rent?
During a pandemic when businesses are shut down, jobs and wages are lost, and eviction moratoriums are in place, who pays the rent?
IHA not only develops affordable housing but provides property management as well. In 2020, IHA served 314 households (688 residents) in our rental communities across Maryland and south-central Pennsylvania. These residents typically earn between 10% to 60% of the area's median income (AMI).
Early in the pandemic, rent collection rates hovered around 96%. This was due to many of our residents being front-line workers who continued to work in industries such as food service, retail, delivery, and healthcare. Those who were laid off were able to receive unemployment which helped to cover their rent.
In Frederick County, Maryland, local funders came together to create the COVID-19 Collaborative. This collaborative was focused on providing immediate funding and crisis support to nonprofits serving the most vulnerable populations. IHA applied for and received a total of $25,000 from the following local funders in support of its local tenants:
Ausherman Family Foundation-$10,000,
The COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund of The Community Foundation of Frederick County in partnership with The Mark and Susan Butt Saturday Morning Fund-$5000,
United Way of Frederick County-$5000,
Delaplaine Foundation, Inc.-$5000.
IHA leveraged these funds on behalf of our Frederick County tenants with unpaid rent balances due to circumstances related to COVID-19. Many tenants required this assistance because their unemployment benefits had not yet come through or because they had been exposed to the virus. Others had lost wages either due to quarantine requirements or to reduced work hours while homeschooling their children.
On behalf of our tenants across Maryland, IHA was also able to leverage rental assistance funds from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) who managed the CARES Act funding. IHA assisted tenants with making the application for the funds. In two different grants provided to tenants, IHA received $27,000 to cover past due rents owed by tenants. The remaining unpaid rent balances were written off as a loss to the property and were not left hanging over the head of those who live most closely on the edge.
By: Rachel Gardner
A quarter of grant wins, community partnerships, and small moments that remind us why this work matters. Here's what's been happening at Interfaith Housing Alliance since the summer. GRANTS & FUNDING: Four New Grants Fuel IHA's Work This Quarter Interfaith Housing Alliance is proud to announce four funding awards totaling $220,000 during the last quarter from our community partners. In June 2026, IHA was awarded a $30,000 grant by Ausherman Family Foundation. This capacity-building grant will provide funding support for the organization during its transition to new leadership. It will also support IHA's work with key community consultants with the goal of recentering IHA's programs and services in Frederick, MD. In July 2026, IHA was awarded a $125,000 grant from Morgan Stanley. This operational grant supports IHA in its ongoing quest to create and provide affordable housing opportunities for low- to moderate-income (LMI) community members. It also supports IHA's continued community programming, which provides access to financial education and affordable homeownership opportunities. In August 2026, IHA received two funding awards in support of IHA's Financial Dignity and Empowerment Services. IHA was awarded a $30,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's (DHCD) Maryland Housing Counseling Fund (MHCF). IHA was also awarded a $35,000 grant by Rural Maryland Council (RMC) through their Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) program. These grants will support the full spectrum of community programming IHA offers, including group educational workshops on financial health, individualized financial coaching and housing counseling, and pathways to affordable homeownership. We are deeply grateful to these partners for their continued investment in this community.
Exciting, the final renovations of the last two units are underway at Weinberg House, a long-standing affordable senior living community in Fredrick, Maryland. Originally built in 1994, the property provided safe, stable housing for older adults for decades. Renovations began on May 1, 2023. At that time, they had a total of 23 units to renovate. The renovations included freshly painted walls, new carpet in the bedrooms, new flooring in the other rooms, new cabinets in the bathroom, as well as new kitchen cupboards, fixtures and new appliances. The final two units will be ready for lease up June 15, 2026. The renovation of Weinberg House represents a meaningful investment in both people and place. By modernizing the property while protecting its mission, this project will help ensure that affordable, welcoming housing remains available for seniors for years to come. It is an encouraging example of how thoughtful redevelopment can strengthen communities and honor the residents who call them home.
In March 2026, IHA was awarded a $50,000 grant through the Frederick County Government’s Helping Empower Area Resources Together (HEART). These one-time operational funds were awarded to mitigate the effects of the longest federal government shutdown in history. This grant has allowed IHA to continue providing essential programs and services to Frederick County residents despite challenges at the federal level. IHA was also awarded a $5,000 grant from the City of Frederick through the Community Promotion Grant program. This grant supports aging in place and youth development needs among City residents through IHA’s Supportive Services. The program serves residents of IHA’s senior and multi-family affordable rental communities at 222 Broadway Street (Weinberg House) and 520 N. Market Street, respectively. In April 2026, IHA was also awarded a $25,000 Community Partnership Grant from Frederick County Government. This grant supports IHA’s full range of Financial Dignity and Empowerment Services, including our homeownership and financial education programming. IHA’s Purchase-Repair Program provides an avenue to homeownership for those who otherwise would not qualify for a traditional home loan. In Credit Café, participants work specifically on improving their credit. Financial Freedom Bootcamp helps participants improve their skills in budgeting, saving, debt reduction, and financial goal setting. The Frederick Affordable Housing Incubator (FAHI) brings multiple sectors together to increase the affordable housing inventory in Frederick County.