The nonprofit housing organization MHP of Silver Spring and Montgomery County have announced the creation of a relief fund for families affected by the fire in Clarksburg last Saturday.

A 16-year-old boy is accused of arson for intentionally setting the fire, which damaged at least 25 housing units and left about 45 residents homeless, according to Montgomery County Fire and Emergency Services.

“At the request of Montgomery County, MHP is collecting financial donations to assist affected families,” MHP stated in a press release“While this is not an MHP property, we maintain close ties to the community through the many affordable housing properties we have developed in Montgomery County and are doing our part by managing financial donations to help affected residents.”

MHP has led similar relief efforts for Montgomery County in recent years, raising nearly $600,000 for The Victims of the explosion at the Friendly Garden Apartments in 2022 and Funds for victims of the Arrive Silver Spring fire last year.

100 percent of donations to the fund would go directly to the affected residents, MHP said.

Montgomery County officials encourage community members to provide support through financial contributions rather than in-kind donations, as residents’ needs are still being assessed.

If you would like to help, you can donate to the fund here.

Photo: David Pazos / Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Department