Governor Moore Highlights Rental Assistance and Public Safety Initiatives in Prince George’s County

Governor Wes Moore recently visited Prince George’s County to draw attention to key initiatives aimed at bolstering stable housing and enhancing public safety across Maryland. This stop was part of his statewide “Delivering for Maryland” tour, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to investing in educational and community well-being. The governor highlighted increased funding for the Community Schools Rental Assistance Program and the expansion of the Safer Stronger Together initiative into new communities, reinforcing the state’s focus on strong schools and secure neighborhoods.

The Community Schools Rental Assistance Program (CSRAP) was a central focus during the Governor’s visit to District Heights Elementary School. This program offers emergency financial aid to families whose children attend designated Community Schools. Assistance can be provided for rent arrears, security deposits, and up to three months of prospective rent, with a total of up to 15 months of housing support available. This initiative aims to prevent evictions, utility shut-offs, and homelessness among students’ families, thereby supporting their stability and ability to remain in school. In Prince George’s County alone, CSRAP has reportedly assisted over 60 families, providing them with $675,000 in financial aid.

The state’s broader commitment to educational stability is underscored by a significant investment in K-12 education, totaling $10.1 billion. This includes $572.7 million allocated for Concentration of Poverty Grants. Furthermore, the Fiscal Year 2027 budget allocates $11 million to the Community Schools Rental Assistance Program, representing a $6 million increase from the previous year, which is intended to extend support to a greater number of families. In Prince George’s County, the Housing Initiative Partnership is responsible for administering this rental assistance.

Governor Moore also hosted a roundtable discussion at Prince George’s Community College in Largo, where he announced the expansion of the Safer Stronger Together initiative. This program, initially piloted in Hagerstown, Salisbury, and Baltimore, will now extend its reach to include Capitol Heights and District Heights. Described as the state’s first formal cross-agency effort, Safer Stronger Together focuses on investing in young people to strengthen families, empower communities, and address the underlying causes of crime.

The initiative facilitates collaboration between the Departments of Human Services, Public Safety and Correctional Services, and Juvenile Services. By identifying families concurrently receiving services from multiple agencies and sharing data, the program aims to pinpoint areas with concentrated need. Local Community Action Boards, comprised of community members, play a crucial role in identifying public safety needs within their areas, developing accessible Requests for Proposals, and guiding local investment decisions for the initiative.

Across Maryland, Safer Stronger Together has channeled $2.26 million into 32 grassroots non-profit organizations, providing services to over 5,000 young people between the ages of 13 and 25. In Prince George’s County, $450,000 has been distributed to eight non-profits serving approximately 650 young individuals. The programming supported by these grants encompasses a range of services, including mentorship, paternal support, tutoring, and therapeutic interventions for youth identified as high-risk.

Governor Moore indicated that the data-driven approach of Safer Stronger Together has been instrumental in improving public safety by tackling the root causes of crime. The administration has observed a notable decrease in violent crime, with Prince George’s County experiencing a 40 percent reduction in homicides in 2025.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Office of Governor Wes Moore

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