Upper Marlboro, MD – Due to the termination of electricity and water and because of past utility bills of over $1 million not being paid by Lynnhill Condominiums management, yesterday, the Prince George’s County Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement (DPIE) had to, by law, post notices to all residents to vacate the premises at 3103 Good Hope Ave, Temple Hills, MD. Residents were given 72 hours to find other accommodations. After the 72 hours, the property will closed and residents will have to seek special permission to access the property.

Since notice was given to the residents, the Department of Social Services (DSS), Department of Family Services (DFS) and the Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) are assisting people with finding alternative houses and other resources. The Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD), Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department (PGFD), Prince George’s County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) have been on hand to ensure those residents who have chosen to stay are safe. The Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWW&T) has been assisting with transportation of residents to shelters and other facilities. County officials will remain on site until no longer needed.

Over the past 24 hours assessments have been made of the needs of all households:
• 77 of 219 apartments were occupied
• 73 households were interviewed/assessed by DFS and or DSS yesterday. The rest are being assessed today.
• DSS and DHCD are collaborating to inventory housing resources that may be of assistance in long term stabilizing of the impacted residents.
• DSS contacted several complexes in the area to advise of the situation and solicit assistance with helping residents re-locate to affordable units.
• The Apartment & Office Building Association (AOBA) has been contacted and is putting out a call to its members for possible vacancies.
• The Red Cross is on site to provide food.
• DPW&T has assisted with transportation of residents to short term housing. Currently, a couple of representatives of the faith community are on site offering assistance with relocation.
• Additionally two moving companies are on site and are moving residents at no cost to other residents.

Residents, the faith community and other organizations have started to help the people impacted by this situation. Many of these affected families might need assistance with secure deposits for new apartments, money for hotel or other temporary, storage, moving, lodging or transportation. To assist with this effort, the Prince George’s County Community Foundation has established the Prince George’s County “Neighbors in Need” fund so people can make donations to help out the Lynnhill residents. If you are interested in making a contribution go to https://thecommunityfoundation.org/donate/

Property was accessible by residents yesterday and today and will also be on Thursday, and Friday. County Officials will work through an access plan beyond that time and post it by Friday. Police patrolled the property last night and will continue to do so as long as necessary. The Departments of Social Services and Family Services will remain on site until no longer needed. Their hours are 9 a.m. until dark for the next several days.

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