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Montgomery County Council approves multiple state and federal grants, including $1.49M emergency rental assistance
Summary
The Montgomery County Council unanimously approved supplemental appropriations for a $1,486,353 state emergency rental assistance grant and three additional education and school bus grants totaling about $7.5 million; council later heard an extended public hearing on a proposed FY26 property tax increase.
The Montgomery County Council on April 22 unanimously approved a slate of supplemental appropriations including a $1,486,353 state emergency rental assistance grant intended for rental and utility assistance, officials said at the meeting.
The council moved immediately from the public hearing into action on the emergency rental assistance resolution and recorded the vote as unanimous. After the hearing closed, Neil Skinoani, founder and executive director of New Initiative for Civic Engagement, urged the council to amend the resolution to require proactive outreach to underserved and minority communities so eligible households learn about the program and can access it.
Council members also approved three additional supplemental appropriations for Montgomery County Public Schools: a $1,485,840 state-funded school safety grant; a $1,279,798 state Title IV Part A Student Support and Academic Enrichment grant; and a $4,700,000 federal Clean School Bus grant to support conversion to cleaner buses. Each of those items had no registered public speakers and was approved by unanimous vote when the council moved to the action portions of those hearings.
Several community advocates who testified during the rental assistance hearing emphasized the program’s role in preventing homelessness. Patricia Toomey, who said she currently resides in a vehicle near Progress Place in Silver Spring and represents Housing for Justice Montgomery County, told the council the funding could avert shelter entries and restore stability for families: "It is important to me that Montgomery County approves the funds for emergency rental assistance because it will prevent people from ever coming into the shelters." (Patricia Toomey).
After approving the appropriations, council staff said the grants will be administered by county departments and partner agencies consistent with state and federal requirements. Neil Skinoani urged explicit outreach and language access to ensure communities with barriers to access are informed about available assistance.
The council recorded the votes as unanimous on each item; individual roll-call votes were not listed in the hearing record provided at the meeting.
Votes at a glance
- Emergency Rental Assistance Grant (Supplemental Appropriation 25-65): $1,486,353 (state grant). Outcome: approved (unanimous). - MCPS Safety Grant (Supplemental Appropriation 25-70): $1,485,840 (state aid). Outcome: approved (unanimous). - MCPS Title IV Part A Grant (Supplemental Appropriation 25-64): $1,279,798 (state grant). Outcome: approved (unanimous). - MCPS Clean School Bus Grant (Supplemental Appropriation 25-67): $4,700,000 (federal grant). Outcome: approved (unanimous).
What’s next
County staff will complete grant-acceptance paperwork and implement outreach and administration through the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Housing and Community Development, Montgomery County Public Schools, and partner organizations; the meeting record indicates staff will follow applicable state and federal guidance on program eligibility and reporting.
The council proceeded to additional hearings later in the session, including a lengthy public hearing on a proposed FY26 real property tax rate increase.
