The Montgomery County Rental Assistance Program Has Started Accepting Applications

Recognizing that the COVID-19 pandemic is causing an unprecedented financial hardship for many Montgomery County residents, the COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program provides financial assistance in the form of a rent subsidy payment.  This program seeks to fill the gaps for those who have lost income during COVID-19.


Leisure World is an age-restricted, gated development primarily inhabited by retirees. The area was formerly known as the Rossmoor census-designated place for the 2000 census, at which time it had a population of 7,569– named after developer Ross Cortese, who had acquired the land for $5 million in the early 60s.

The sales office opened in 1965 and the shopping center broke ground in October of 1967 with Safeway, People’s, Hot Shoppes, and more signed on. The Leisure World Globe used to be colorful and even rotated (backwards). After years of security having to make people stop “riding” the globe, and multiple motor malfunctions, the change was made to the static globe we see today.


Yesterday, it was announced that residents who used an AdvaGenix COVID test at a Montgomery County site within the past two weeks ought to be retested. AdvaGenix kits were primarily used for asymptomatic individuals and were self-administered tests.  According to a press release, approximately 8% of COVID tests used throughout the county were processed by AdvaGenix.

Montgomery County’s testing partnership with AdvaGenix has been suspended for the moment. Residents who have upcoming appointments at a site that planned to use AdvaGenix kits are being notified and will be alerted of alternative locations to take their test.


Reemphasizing the need to protect the health and safety of Montgomery County residents as well as parents, students, teachers and staff from the spread of COVID-19, County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles today announced that he has rescinded his health order that prohibited nonpublic schools from opening for in-person instruction until after Oct. 1, 2020. The decision was made due to the new policy announced yesterday by the State Department of Health prohibiting the blanket closure of nonpublic schools.

Today’s new Health Officer Directive and Order regarding public, private and independent schools, dated Aug. 7, 2020, is effective immediately and rescinds the order dated Aug 5, 2020.


On August 24th, 2020  Downtown Wheaton will be the new home of the Montgomery County Planning Board, Montgomery Parks and Montgomery Planning, all part of The Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC).

The newly constructed 14-story building, owned by M-NCPPC, is located on Reedie Drive near the Wheaton Metro Station. The building and surrounding site replaces the county-owned Wheaton Market Place parking lot with a LEED Platinum-rated, mixed-use building, a town square and a 400-space public parking garage.


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