About the Housing Counselor Program

When Gaithersburg residents need assistance with housing matters of any kind, we are here to help.  We have relationships with government agencies and other nonprofits, giving us a breadth of knowledge and access to all of the resources and services available. Residents can simply make an appointment with our housing counselor, who can assist them with a variety of matters either on an emergency or ongoing basis.

Our Services

We walk residents through the process of applying for services, make referrals for additional services (food, clothing, utility assistance), coordinate care and services, advocate for them in obtaining services from other agencies, provide education, and assist with financial literacy and budgeting.  

We help residents understand their rights with respect to landlord and tenant laws, assist them in finding appropriate and affordable housing, and can help locate funding sources in times of crisis. We make things less stressful by providing one space to apply for many services, especially during times of emergency or crisis, like when facing eviction or utility shut-off.

We provide free assistance and support for residents applying and needing referrals for:

• Eviction prevention and education

• Relocation and rental assistance

• Landlord/tenant mediation advocacy and education

• Local rental assistance and subsidy programs

• Budget development and financial literacy counseling

• Fair housing education and advocacy

• Bedbug remediation and other related issues

• Community referrals

We have access to the Language Line, allowing us work with clients in over 200 languages so that our clients can comfortably work with us to effectively access services.  

In addition, we provide access to free, easy-to-understand financial education. We partner with the Gaithersburg Financial Wellness Coalition and Bank On Gaithersburg, providing residents with the wealth of information and resources available to them through these services. We know that by providing residents the tools they need to save for their futures, budget appropriately, pay off debt, and more, individuals can become successful and gain financial freedom.