Housing assistance in Maryland for immigrants
Maryland at a glance
Maryland is home to about 1,030,670 foreign-born residents (16.6% of the state’s 6,206,011 people) and 774,946 residents of Hispanic or Latino origin (12.5%), per the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates). The procedures below apply to everyone in Maryland regardless of immigration status unless noted.
What rent actually costs in Maryland — HUD’s official numbers
HUD's Fair Market Rents set the ceiling a Section 8 voucher covers and serve as the official rent benchmark. In Maryland (FY 2026), the benchmark rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,314/month (median), ranging from $973 (Allegany County, MD) to $2,246 (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HUD Metro FMR Area) across the state's 15 rent areas.
| Area (largest by population) | Studio | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR | 4BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA | $1,362 | $1,511 | $1,857 | $2,358 | $2,611 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,953 | $2,015 | $2,246 | $2,835 | $3,332 |
| Hagerstown, MD HUD Metro FMR Area | $869 | $961 | $1,261 | $1,700 | $1,901 |
| St. Mary's County, MD HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,394 | $1,672 | $1,833 | $2,264 | $2,889 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MSA | $1,397 | $1,520 | $1,810 | $2,170 | $2,423 |
| Salisbury, MD HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,054 | $1,061 | $1,378 | $1,818 | $1,825 |
| Calvert County, MD HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,811 | $1,851 | $2,083 | $2,639 | $3,106 |
| Allegany County, MD | $694 | $823 | $973 | $1,333 | $1,452 |
Source: HUD FY 2026 Fair Market Rents (effective 2025-10-01; 40th-percentile gross rents — Section 8 payment standards are set at 90-110% of FMR). Look up your county at huduser.gov.
Federal programs in Maryland
Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) and Public Housing share the same federal rules: low income (typically under 30-50% of Area Median Income) and at least one household member with citizenship or an eligible immigration status — mixed-status families get a prorated voucher rather than nothing. Undocumented members, DACA recipients, and F-1 students don’t count as eligible members. Full eligibility lists and documents: federal housing rules.
To apply in Maryland: find your local Public Housing Agency at hud.gov/findpha and get on the waiting list — months to years in tight markets.
Emergency shelters
Available WITHOUT immigration status verification:
- Homeless shelters
- Domestic violence shelters (DV shelters have enhanced privacy)
- Catholic Charities
- Salvation Army
- YWCA / YMCA
- Local churches
National homelessness line: 211 (in many states, connects to local resources)
Do I need ITIN or SSN to rent in Maryland?
Not necessarily. Many landlords (especially small individuals) do NOT require SSN to rent. May require: income proof, employer letter, prior landlord references, larger security deposit.
Professionally-managed apartments (large complexes) are stricter about SSN.
Related information
Last verified: 2026-06-15.
General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.
Related procedural information
- Federal benefits eligibility by immigration status — who qualifies for what
- Find legal aid in your state — public-benefits appeals
- ITIN for tax-funded benefits — eligibility requires SSN or ITIN
- Consulate of your country — many offer financial-assistance referrals
- Know Your Rights — public-benefits enrollment — agency confidentiality limits
The Section 8 math in one line
A voucher household pays about 30% of adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the rest up to the local payment standard (90-110% of the FMRs shown above). Housing discrimination is reportable regardless of immigration status: HUD hotline 1-800-669-9777 (hud.gov fair housing).