Montgomery County Officials Outline Services for Unhoused Individuals as Winter Hypothermia Season Ends
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich reminded residents of the range of services the County provides to individuals and families who are unhoused. Staff from the County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), along with outreach partners, proactively canvass across the County regularly to provide information and resources to individuals and families. With the end of the winter hypothermia season, the County’s shelter overflow capacity decreases, but efforts to engage with and offer services to residents in need continue.
The County Executive’s FY26 recommended budget prioritizes critical services for vulnerable residents, ensuring that individuals and families in Montgomery County have access to stable housing, health care and essential support programs. In the face of anticipated federal funding cuts and rising costs, the County is stepping up to fill gaps and sustain programs that serve those most in need.
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“We are seeing more people struggling to make ends meet — and the end of hypothermia season doesn’t mean the need for shelter or services disappears,” said County Executive Elrich. “Housing is a basic human need, and we have a responsibility to help people who are unhoused access support and resources. That’s why my recommended budget prioritizes eviction prevention, emergency housing and rehousing programs. We cannot turn our backs on people who are most in need.”
The FY26 recommended budget includes funding for:
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- $6.9 million increase for the Short-Term Housing and Resolution Program.
- $2.9 million increase for eviction prevention.
- $2.0 million increase to address the end of Federal Covid funds for the Rapid Rehousing Program.
- $1.2 million increase to the Housing Initiative Program, which provides permanent supportive housing to vulnerable households experiencing homelessness.
Services available include:
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- Six emergency shelters for individuals and three emergency shelters for families. The number of beds for individuals increases from November 1-March 31 as part of the County’s winter hypothermia plan.
- Through contracted services with Every Mind, the County assists individuals in accessing community resources and refers vulnerable individuals to shelters. The Diversion Office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and is located at the DHHS building at 1301 Piccard Drive in Rockville.
- Drop-in services at the Interfaith Works Drop-In Center at Progress Place, located at 8106 Georgia Ave. in downtown Silver Spring, include basic needs assistance, case management services, shower and laundry services, meals, clinical assessments, referrals for housing, behavioral health services and connection to benefits.
- Drop-in services are also provided at the MoCo ReConnect Youth Drop-In Center, located at 11319 Elkins Street in Wheaton. The center offers culturally relevant programming and LGBTQIA+ service navigators to create a safe and welcoming space for youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Services include on-site showers and laundry, access to food and personal supplies, mentoring, counseling, GED classes, job training and employment services.
- Residents concerned about the well-being of an unhoused person can call the 24-hour Homeless Information Line at 240-907-2688. Outreach partners will attempt to locate the individual and urge them to come indoors to a shelter. If someone is urgently seeking shelter, call the Crisis Center at 240-777-4000.
For more information, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/homelessness .
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Release ID: 25-153
Media Contact: Mary Anderson 3015297669
Categories: Health , Housing
For updates and link to press release, see here: http://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=46862