Security Deposit Grants

Baltimore City Code art. 13, div. II, subtit. 6B

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 6B-1 Definitions.

§ 6B-1. Definitions. (a) In general. In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated. (b) Director. “Director” means the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success. (c) Family. “Family” means 1 or more individuals who reside together as a household. (d) Mayor’s Office. “Mayor’s Office” means the Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success. (e) Program. “Program” means the Baltimore City Emergency Security Deposit Grant Program. (f) Security deposit. “Security deposit” means an amount of money that a tenant pays to a landlord that the landlord must return to the tenant at the end of the lease minus any amount the landlord used for the tenant’s: (1) non-payment of rent; (2) breach of the lease; or (3) damage to property. (g) Security deposit grant; grant. “Security deposit grant” or “grant”: (1) means a one-time payment by the Program of up to $2,000 toward a security deposit; and (2) is not considered income to the tenant in determining the tenant’s income eligibility, unless otherwise required by any state or federal law that governs the source of funds for this grant. (Ord. 23-275 Section 1; Ord. 22-124; Ord. 21-040.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 6B-2 Program established.

§ 6B-2. Program established. (a) In general. There is an Emergency Security Deposit Grant Program in Baltimore City. (b) Purpose. The purpose of the Program is to provide families who are in need of permanent housing with security deposit grants for permanent housing. (c) Administration. The Program shall be administered by the Mayor’s Office. (Ord. 23-275 Section 1; Ord. 21-040.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 6B-3 Rules and regulations.

§ 6B-3. Rules and regulations. (a) In general. Subject to the requirements in this section and subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the City General Provisions Article, the Mayor’s Office shall adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this part {subtitle}. (b) Hearing period. In addition to the requirements set forth in the Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act - Regulations”} of the City General Provisions Article, the Mayor’s Office must hold a public hearing prior to: (1) adopting any rules and regulations required by this section; or (2) amending or repealing any rules and regulations adopted under this subtitle. (Ord. 23-275 Section 1; Ord. 21-040.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 6B-4 Program eligibility.

§ 6B-4. Program eligibility. (a) Application required. Families seeking to participate in the Program shall submit an application to the Mayor’s Office in the form the Mayor’s Office requires. (b) Eligibility. A family is eligible to participate in the Program if the family: (1) resides in Baltimore City at the time of application; and (2) meets the income requirements for a grant. (Ord. 23-275 Section 1; Ord. 21-040.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 6B-5 Program admission.

§ 6B-5. Program admission. (a) In general. Subject to the provisions of this section, eligible families shall be admitted into the Program. (b) Funding availability. Admission into the Program is subject to the availability of funds and is not an entitlement. (Ord. 23-275 Section 1; Ord. 21-040.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 6B-6 {Reserved}

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 6B-7 Grant payment.

§ 6B-7. Grant payment. (a) Manner of payment. A security deposit grant made under this section {subtitle} shall be given directly to the landlord on behalf of the family. (b) Audits. The Mayor’s Office shall conduct audits at least annually to ensure that families receiving security deposit grants are eligible for assistance. (Ord. 23-275 Section 1; Ord. 21-040.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 6B-8 Grant priority; equity.

§ 6B-8. Grant priority; equity. To ensure that grants are disbursed in an equitable manner, the Mayor’s Office shall prioritize grant recipients based on: (1) median household income in the vicinity of a family’s desired permanent housing, with areas with the lowest median income receiving highest priority; and (2) whether the family has received a security deposit grant from the Mayor’s Office in a prior year. (Ord. 23-275 Section 1; Ord. 21-040.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 6B-9 Denial of grant by the Mayor’s Office.

§ 6B-9. Denial of grant by the Mayor’s Office. (a) In general. The Mayor’s Office may deny a grant to a family if the Mayor’s Office finds that the family: (1) failed to supply the information to the Mayor’s Office required by this subtitle or the rules and regulations adopted under this subtitle; (2) does not reside in Baltimore City at the time of application; or (3) does not meet the income requirements for a grant. (b) Written notice of denial. If the Mayor’s Office denies a family’s application for a grant, it must provide the family with a written notice of the denial, including the reasons for the denial, within 15 business days of the denial. (c) Appeal. (1) In general. The family may appeal the Mayor’s Office’s denial to the Director of the Mayor’s Office. (2) Format of appeal. In appealing the Mayor’s Office’s denial, the family must: (i) put the appeal in writing; (ii) state the reasons why the Mayor’s Office should have granted the grant; and (iii) send the appeal to the Director within 15 business days of receipt of the Mayor’s Office’s written denial. (3) Decision. The Director must issue a written decision within business 15 days of receipt of the family’s appeal. (Ord. 23-275 Section 1; Ord. 21-040.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 6B-10 Compliance.

§ 6B-10. Compliance. Tenants and landlords involved in the Program must comply with all State and local laws regarding security deposits. (Ord. 23-275 Section 1; Ord. 21-040.)

Source: City of Baltimore Department of Legislative Reference, City of Baltimore Law Library (codes.baltimorecity.gov; Open Law Library bulk XML)URL: https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/code/13/II/6BFetched: 10/25/2026