With the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse effects on income and employment security, it is no wonder that some people may have difficulty coping with housing fees and payment of household utility bills. Since many have lost their jobs and the family income is barely enough for food and other basic needs, the need for the government to assist has become very important.
The government organizes a rental and utility assistance program which is administered under the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) for many low-income households.
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is a government-sponsored program that offers rental assistance and relief to low-income households. Households that are dealing with financial rental difficulty due to COVID-19 challenges are usually eligible for this assistance program.
ERAP was established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and was signed into law on February 5, 2021, by Governor Wolf. In signing the act into law, the Department of Human Services (DHS) can now implement and administer the ERAP program by the federal government agency.
The ERAP program assists households in paying up rental arrears that have been accumulated from 2020 and sent to the landlord or property owner.
In this way, the government ensures that households have secured housing and are not evicted or become homeless due to the pandemic and its challenges. The government throws a lot of weight behind this housing relief program to reduce the number of homeless people in the country.
ERAP focuses mainly on low-income households that are faced with rental difficulty by paying their due rents, household utility bills such as trash and sewer removal, electricity, gas and water, energy costs, and other household-related expenses directly to the property owner or utility providers.
The rental assistance covers almost all rental properties like rental units, motels, boarding homes, trailers, and also long-term hotel housing.
Who is Eligible to Apply for ERAP?
To apply for this housing relief program, applicants must adhere to all of the criteria stated by the agency. Also, tenants can apply for themselves and their landlords can do so on behalf of their current tenants to enjoy the relief fund.
Either way, the landlord and tenant must both complete the application process as different parts need to be filled by both parties. Anyone can begin the application process, and the other person will be notified by email to follow up on the application process.
Whichever way, the landlord and tenants must have discussed this application procedure and understood it to be able to get along with no problems during the application. Some of these criteria which need to be met by the tenant include;
- The head of the household or more people within the family must be US citizens to be eligible for this assistance, as the social security number would be requested.
- The household must have previously paid rent on the residential property and currently have difficulty continuing the payment.
- One or more people in the household must currently qualify for unemployment benefits or have a decreased income that fits into the low-income household.
- The household must show proof of having been affected financially either directly or indirectly by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The household must show the risk of housing instability or possible homelessness due to financial difficulty and possible evictions if help is not rendered.
- The household’s income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for the state in which the application is being processed.
For landlord’s application
Landlords and property owners would need to provide some basic documents to enable their tenants to benefit from the ERAP funding program. The landlord must coordinate with the tenants in giving out the necessary information. Some of this information is outlined below.
- A W-9 tax form would need to be filled out online in the ERAP portal of the owner account.
- Lease or tenant application and documents of payments for the last full rental fee, which must also include the tenant’s monthly obligations and unit address.
- Documentation of rent due from a tenant by submitting a monthly rent confirmation form detailing the past due rent still owed by the tenant, including late fees.
- Landlord’s bank details, which need to be filled in the direct deposit information on the ERAP portal.
Note that when all the information has been filled in and before it is submitted, the landlord or property owner would be required to sign the application form and other certifications that will indicate that all that has been uploaded is accurate and not false. Other terms and conditions which the property owner or landlord must adhere to upon signing the agreement for ERAP are as follows:
- The property owner must be ready to accept the rental payment of ERAP and also, the payment must fulfill the tenant’s rents for all the periods covered by the payment.
- The landlord must be willing to waive any late fees due on any rental arrears covered by the ERAP program.
- Monthly rental fees must not be increased at the time of applying for ERAP housing assistance and approximately one year following ERAP payment.
- Eviction for expired lease reasons is not permitted of the tenant on whose behalf the ERAP payment has been made must not be carried out. This should be adhered to for at least one year upon receipt of the payment.
How do I apply for ERAP?
Applications can be submitted online or directly to the county if applications cannot be submitted online. To apply, some information would be required of you, and some of this is:
- Identification information of any member of the household, which may be a driver’s license, state-issued ID card, or passport.
- Current income information for all household members over the age of 18 or unemployment proof for working-class people.
- Tenant lease or landlord-issued letter to show how much your household owes in rent currently.
- Your landlord’s contact information and other details would be requested to ensure that your landlord participates in the application process.
- Proof of utility expenses and bills that need to be paid, like water, electricity, gas, etc.
For more information, please visit: https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/emergency-rental-assistance-program
Hello my name ia Stella v. I live in San Antonio tx , I feel I've been a victim of unfair determination of my housing along side been threw much pain and suffering by my landlord ..it's been a long haul but praying me and my family can get some peace of mind knowing we can get some help from our better peers and threw the nations programs..lord knows we are in dyer need . I just don't know who /where or why to start at …Please help me understand all this for now me and my babies will be homeless very soon
You can start your application process by getting in touch with the PHA office nearest to you. They would guide you on the necessary steps to take in submitting your application for suitable emergency housing for your needs. Click this link http://www.hud.gov to learn more about the HUD housing programs.
I need emergency housing. I live with my daughter and she's only gave me till January to move out
Kindly visit the PHA office in your area to apply for the emergency housing program. In there, you would be guided on the eligibility criteria and how to get a faster response on your housing needs. Check out the HUD website here to learn more.
Evening my name is Antwan and I’m a single father full custody of a 12 year old boy and I need help bad can you help me please
Hello, do well to submit your application for the section 8 housing assistance program online or at the nearest PHA office.
Hello Faith. Thank you for all of information you have provided.
Hi Miriam,
It’ss my pleasure to provide information which would be useful to others
Hello i been trying to see if im on the list.i fill the app out.im homeless with my som who was born with club foot.he can not be on his feet to long.we are sleeping in a mone working car.i need emergency help fast been reaching out.i dont know what or were to start.can someone please call me please.
Hello Devine,
You can start your applications through the ERAP portal at https://era.azdes.gov/ for all programs. This is the best and quickest way to receive assistance. All communications are sent via email, and you can track your application status through this portal.
I received a award for the era back last year and I was trying to figure out what to do with the award,but to date- I haven’t received any emails or monies? What do I do? It expired on July 31,2021.
Hello, please check back with the PHA office to find out if the award is still available and what steps to take next.
Can you please help with where I can get housing government help with child care or getting disability for my son who is not yet to and has a very rare disability called pku they turned me down last year I’m a single mother struggling with no work and living with a friend
Hi I am sorry to hear about your been turned down. However you can get housing assistance for single moms which offers a faster response then the HUD. To get more information about this, I urge you to read the previous article here.
Hi my name is Ruth I’m interested in applying for the affordable housing.
Hello Ruth, you can apply for the Section 8 housing voucher by submitting an application form at the PHA office or through the online website of the HUD.