(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) "Fund" means the Rental Assistance for Community School Families Fund. (3) "Program" means the Rental Assistance for Community School Families Program. (b) There is a Rental Assistance for Community School Families Program. (c) (1) The purpose of the Program is to provide rental assistance to eligible student households at community schools. (2) The Program shall be administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development, in consultation with the Department. (d) To be eligible for rental assistance under the Program, a community school student must be: (1) Enrolled in a community school that receives funding under § 5- 223 of this article; and (2) From a household: (i) That is housed in a rental property, where at least one household member is at risk of homelessness or housing instability, as evidenced by past due rent or utility notices, unsafe living conditions, or other evidence determined by the Department of Housing and Community Development; or (ii) Where at least one member qualifies for assistance under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. (e) (1) Eligible uses for payments under the Program include: (i) Rental payments; (ii) Rental arrears; (iii) Fines or fees associated with rental payments, including a late fine or fee; (iv) Utility payments; (v) Utility arrears; (vi) Fines or fees associated with utility payments, including a late fine or fee; or (vii) Relocation expenses. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, an eligible student's household may receive support from the Program for up to 12 months. (3) Subject to the availability of funding, an eligible student's household may receive one 3-month extension of support if the community school student remains eligible under subsection (d) of this section following 12 months of support. (f) (1) There is a Rental Assistance for Community School Families Fund. (2) The Department of Housing and Community Development shall administer the Fund. (3) (i) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7-302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. (ii) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund. (4) The Fund consists of: (i) Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; (ii) Interest earnings; and (iii) Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund. (5) The Fund may be used only to: (i) Provide rental assistance in accordance with the Program; and (ii) Cover the costs of the Department of Housing and Community Development to administer the Fund. (6) The Governor may include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $10,000,000 for the Fund.
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