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County officials: nearly 200 refugee residents at the Enclave may need relocation after management declines rent reductions
Summary
Officials said dozens of Afghan and Syrian families placed at the Enclave by resettlement agencies face eviction; the county and partners secured state emergency rental funds but expect to relocate many households because the management refused significant arrears reductions.
Montgomery County officials told the Health and Human Services Committee that nearly 200 Afghan and Syrian refugees placed at the Enclave by resettlement agencies faced eviction and that relocation of many families now appears likely after the site manager declined substantial reductions to arrearages.
"There were nearly 200 people, many of whom are children, who were placed at the enclave by resettlement agencies," Director Hong said. She said resettlement agencies had in some cases deemed families self-sufficient and ended supports; the county learned two months ago that a large number of households at a single location were facing eviction.
County staff described a collaborative response involving Montgomery County departments, resettlement agencies, the Muslim Community Foundation and a new community group called SAFE, which are providing culturally competent supports. Officials said some households have large arrearages — staff cited anecdotal examples in the $10,000–$30,000 range — and that relocation may be necessary for many families even if it preserves housing overall.
State Housing Secretary Day's office provided immediate help: staff said $200,000 was provided to address arrearages for refugee households that can remain, and $1,280,000 in unspent emergency rental assistance (COVID-era funds) was reallocated to Montgomery County to extend prevention capacity into the spring.
Councilmembers pressed county staff on caseloads and the strain of responding to the enclave situation amid broader demand. Officials said staff have prioritized the enclave cases because of scale and vulnerability but described crushing workloads and significant vacancies in some regional offices.
Officials reiterated the county's intent to prevent homelessness where possible, and said relocation planning will attempt to preserve community supports and culturally appropriate services, though they acknowledged relocations will be disruptive for families who rely on local networks for childcare, transportation and worship.
