The Spark

the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist

“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx

Maryland Renters Need Rental Assistance

Nov 8, 2021

Anne Arundel County, like everywhere else in Maryland, received millions of dollars to help renters during the pandemic. It is now 19 months into the pandemic and only $53,000 has been paid in the entire county. Yet thousands lost their jobs, and undoubtedly got behind on rent.

The head of the Annapolis public housing authority recently informed the city council that renters are behind almost $800,000. She says certain regulations get in the way of helping renters. Meanwhile the lawyer overseeing the assistance program, which covers Annapolis renters, says there is enough money to assist everyone who needs it.

What if a housing authority employee knocked on every door where they already know someone is behind on rent? If they offered assistance, wouldn’t the housing authority gain back some rent money?

This fiasco is not the first time during the pandemic that assistance is not getting through to those who need it.