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Laurel Advocacy Referral Services is now fully able to assist Laurel residents in Prince George's County facing eviction or who need help paying for a first month's rent and security deposit.

LARS got the approval on Oct. 14 to use a $42,500 Community Development Block Grant from Prince George's County.

The CDBG program is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. James Kelly, acting field office director of the HUD District of Columbia Office, said Prince George's County automatically gets a certain amount of money based on census based factors such as total population, age of housing and poverty level.

Kelly also said there's a great deal of flexibility in what the county government receiving the grant can do with the funds. In fiscal 2008, Prince George's County received more than $6 million, second-most in the state behind Baltimore City.

Nancy Graham, LARS executive director, said that if people are currently living with family, friends, or doubling up in another apartment because of their financial situation, they are also eligible for funds.

In September, LARS received notice from the county that the agency was eligible for funds but had to wait until Oct. 14 for the grant's approval. Graham said LARS chose to spend the money slowly and wisely, in the event the grant fell through.

LARS assisted four clients in September, spending only $1,800. Six clients were helped in October with $2,900 going to assist their needs. Now with the grant funding in place, Graham said they will provide financial aid to as many clients as they can, as the funding must be used by June 30, 2009.

Graham said when they wrote the grant they projected to help 50-plus clients with an average stipend of $850. Yet after September and October, they are on par to exceed their projections as they are finding ways to stretch the money and provide about $400 to $500 per client.

Graham said County Councilman Thomas E. Dernoga (D-Dist. 1) of Laurel was instrumental in helping LARS acquire the funds.

Dernoga said he helped direct LARS directors apply for CBDG funds to see what the agency was eligible for.

"People are so focused on the foreclosure issue they're not recognizing the huge problem with people in rental apartments," Dernoga said.

Dernoga said the issues of utilities and rent payments and housing availability is critical at this time. Dernoga said he has helped several Laurel organizations – including the Laurel Boys and Girls Club, Our Savoir Lutheran Church and Reality Inc. – receive CBDG grants in the past several years.

And LARS is thankful for the assistance.

"I can tell you this is exceptional for the community because people are struggling, and our funds are extremely restricted in what we can do for those facing eviction, and we're extremely grateful to the county for providing the funds," Graham said.