In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated. “Director” means the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success. “Family” means 1 or more individuals who reside together as a household. “Mayor’s Office” means the Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success. “Program” means the Baltimore City Emergency Security Deposit Grant Program. “Security deposit” means an amount of money that a tenant pays to a landlord that the landlord must return to the tenant at the end of the lease minus any amount the landlord used for the tenant’s:non-payment of rent; breach of the lease; or damage to property. “Security deposit grant” or “grant”:means a one-time payment by the Program of up to $2,000 toward a security deposit; and is not considered income to the tenant in determining the tenant’s income eligibility, unless otherwise required by any state or federal law that governs the source of funds for this grant. Ord. 21-040 Ord. 22-124

There is an Emergency Security Deposit Grant Program in Baltimore City. The purpose of the Program is to provide families who are in need of permanent housing with security deposit grants for permanent housing. The Program shall be administered by the Mayor’s Office. Ord. 21-040

Subject to the requirements in this section and subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the <cite data-path="|general">City General Provisions Article</cite>, the Mayor’s Office shall adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this part <em>{subtitle}</em>. In addition to the requirements set forth in the Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act - Regulations”} of the <cite data-path="|general">City General Provisions Article</cite>, the Mayor’s Office must hold a public hearing prior to:adopting any rules and regulations required by this section; or amending or repealing any rules and regulations adopted under this subtitle. Ord. 21-040

Families seeking to participate in the Program shall submit an application to the Mayor’s Office in the form the Mayor’s Office requires. A family is eligible to participate in the Program if the family:resides in Baltimore City at the time of application; and meets the income requirements for a grant. Ord. 21-040

Subject to the provisions of this section, eligible families shall be admitted into the Program. Admission into the Program is subject to the availability of funds and is not an entitlement. Ord. 21-040

A security deposit grant made under this section <em>{subtitle}</em> shall be given directly to the landlord on behalf of the family. The Mayor’s Office shall conduct audits at least annually to ensure that families receiving security deposit grants are eligible for assistance. Ord. 21-040

To ensure that grants are disbursed in an equitable manner, the Mayor’s Office shall prioritize grant recipients based on: median household income in the vicinity of a family’s desired permanent housing, with areas with the lowest median income receiving highest priority; and whether the family has received a security deposit grant from the Mayor’s Office in a prior year. Ord. 21-040

The Mayor’s Office may deny a grant to a family if the Mayor’s Office finds that the family:failed to supply the information to the Mayor’s Office required by this subtitle or the rules and regulations adopted under this subtitle; does not reside in Baltimore City at the time of application; or does not meet the income requirements for a grant. If the Mayor’s Office denies a family’s application for a grant, it must provide the family with a written notice of the denial, including the reasons for the denial, within 15 business days of the denial. The family may appeal the Mayor’s Office’s denial to the Director of the Mayor’s Office. In appealing the Mayor’s Office’s denial, the family must:put the appeal in writing; state the reasons why the Mayor’s Office should have granted the grant; and send the appeal to the Director within 15 business days of receipt of the Mayor’s Office’s written denial. The Director must issue a written decision within business 15 days of receipt of the family’s appeal. Ord. 21-040

Tenants and landlords involved in the Program must comply with all State and local laws regarding security deposits. Ord. 21-040