Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) is a federal program that assists renters who are unable to pay rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It pays up to 15 months of rent for eligible renters, including up to 12 months back-rent (starting from 03/13/2020).

ERA was created and funded with $25 billion as part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief bill (12/27/2020). A further $21 billion was allocated in the American Rescue Plan Act (03/11/2021). As ERA is a federally funded program, the basic rules apply across the country. It is being run by states and large counties/cities, so the start date, end date, and other rules can be different for each location.

Contents

• How Much Will You Get?
• Eligibility
• Application Process
• Where Are the Funds Sent
• More Funds After 3 Months

How Much Will You Get?

You can get up to 15 months of rent.

Future rent: You can apply for 3 months’ rent at a time. After 3 months, you can reapply if needed.

Back rent: If you’re in arrears, you can apply for up to 12 months back-rent and also 3 months future rent at the same time (totaling 15 months)

ERA can cover rent and also utilities, like electricity, gas, water, sewer and trash. Some states may also cover internet services, late fees, and relocation expenses.

The Federal guidance doesn’t include a monthly maximum rent allowance, however, States/Counties may well cap it at fair market value.

Eligibility

In order for a household to be eligible for ERA, at least one person in the household needs to meets all three of the following conditions:

1) Hardship due to Covid-19
You can show “hardship” by one of the four options below

• Qualify for unemployment
  or
• Reduction in household income
  or
• Incurred significant costs
  or
• Experienced a financial hardship

AND

2) Need
Demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability

AND

3) Income
Household income at or below 80% of the area median income.

Income eligibility is either based on the entire calendar year 2020 or monthly income at the time of application. If you use your current monthly income as proof of income, income eligibility must be redetermined every 3 months.

States may have additional requirements. For example, NJ requires a lack of assets or savings that renters can use to pay rent.

Duplicate Assistance: If you receive any other federally funded rental assistance, you can still apply for ERA, for the amount that you pay out-of-pocket.

Priority

You get priority if any of these three conditions apply to you:

1. At least one person in your household has been unemployed for 90 days prior to application.
2. Household income is at or below 50 percent of the area median.
3. You have existing housing-related arrears that could result in eviction.

Application Process

Landlord vs Tenant

An application for rental assistance may be submitted by either an eligible household or by a landlord on behalf of that eligible household.

If the landlord applies, a signature from the tenant will be required.

Where to Apply?

ERA is a federally funded program, run by individual states and counties. You need to apply in your state. Some cities/counties have their own programs.

• New York
• New Jersey
• Other States

If you would like assistance applying for the program, reach out.

Where Are the Funds Sent

In general, funds will be paid directly to landlords and utility service providers. If a landlord does not wish to participate, funds may be paid directly to the eligible household.

More Funds After 3 Months

Households may reapply for additional assistance at the end of the three-month period if needed, up to 15 months total, as long as the program is still running.

FAQ (05/07/2021)