The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is a new program created by the Federal government as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. This program is administered by the U.S. Treasury Department and provides Federal money to State governments, U.S. Territories, and local governments with more than 200,000 residents. These State-level and Municipal governments then distribute the money they received from the Federal government to individual households and landlords, usually using the money they received to fund already existing housing programs. Both renters and landlords can apply for ERAP funds but they cannot receive funds directly from the Federal government, they must go through State and Municipal government offices and programs.
Since the passage of the American Rescue Plan in 2021, ERAP has undergone several important changes, although there are still many similarities between the two versions. One of the most significant changes has been that a household can now receive 18 months of assistance in total, whereas before it was only 12 months of benefits.
While programs such as Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) has an income eligibility limit of 50%, and 60% for victims of domestic violence, renters can apply for ERAP assistance if their income is up to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). To qualify, renters must be at risk of homelessness or housing instability due to COVID-19. This instability can be due to unemployment, decreased wages, or increased expenses. Renters may receive assistance with rent and utilities that were accrued since March 13, 2020.
In Massachusetts the specific qualifications to qualify for ERAP are:
- The applicant must be able to prove that you have faced financial hardship due to Covid-19.
- The renter household income must be at or below 80 percent of the area median income
- At least one or more individuals living in the household must qualify for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship die to COVID-19
- The applicant can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability
If you are in Massachusetts and looking to apply for this program or want more information you can click this link: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/emergency-housing-assistance-during-covid-19.
U.S. Department of the Treasury Press Release: https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1228
Information for landlords on emergency housing assistance: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/information-for-landlords-on-emergency-housing-assistance
Please email Director of Policy Benjamin Daly at bdaly@homesforfamilies.org with any questions, comments, or concerns!
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