Jubilee First Agency to Secure Housing Under Maryland’s New DDA Rent Subsidy Program
“When I first met Sharon, she was in crisis,” said Jubilee’s Housing Support Services specialist Amanda Gibson. “She had been living with her uncle, and when he passed away the bills started to pile up. She was about to be evicted from the home she knew and had nowhere to go.”
Sharon Jackson’s service coordinator from Maryland’s Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) knew that Jubilee helped people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure affordable housing. She reached out to Jubilee for help.
Amanda worked closely with DDA to cut through the red tape—making Sharon the first person in Maryland to benefit from the DDA’s new Rent Subsidy Program. This new government program makes it possible for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities on a fixed income to pay just 30 percent of their income on rent and basic utilities.
Thanks to quick action from Jubilee, Sharon is now happily settled in a new apartment, close to her job and support network. Jubilee’s Housing Support Services applied for all eligible benefits on Sharon’s behalf and communicated closely with Sharon’s support team to complete all the paperwork.
“I really hate change, but I knew this was going to be the best move for me,” Sharon said. “Once I saw this apartment I knew it was for me, and I welcomed this new chapter in life. I am happy to have Judy, my support staff from SEEC, and Amanda from Jubilee help me through this process.”
“Making sure Sharon always had a roof over her head required a lot of work, done right and done quickly,” said Amanda. “Jubilee’s work with Sharon continues as we help her stay on top of her bills and benefits so that she never again faces eviction.”
Jubilee’s Housing Support Services has now assisted 160 people in their journey to find, secure, and keep their housing since the program began in 2021. Learn more about our Housing Support Services and apply for assistance.