The Guide to $25 Billion Emergency Rental Assistance Program by State
More than a year after the onset of COVID, it’s estimated that 8 million Americans are behind on rent. We’ve closely monitored rent payment behavior to keep a pulse on how multifamily is faring during the crisis and inform apartment owners and operators.
Throughout 2020 and continuing into 2021, both legislators and rental housing leaders have lobbied to support the multifamily industry by fighting for comprehensive rent relief. State and local lawmakers also launched a patchwork of rent relief funds and eviction moratoriums to fill in financial gaps, while the CDC’s national eviction moratorium has been extended multiple times.
It wasn’t until January 2021 that the prospect of federal rent relief became a reality with the signing of a $900 billion relief package — including $25 billion in rent assistance.
Below, we have a state-by-state breakdown of the $25 billion federal rental assistance program, including details around:
- Rental Assistance Eligibility
- Rental Assistance Applications
- Rental Assistance FAQs
- Additional Resources
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What Is the $25 Billion Emergency Rent Assistance Program?
The Treasury launched the $25 billion Emergency Rental Assistance Program to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On January 26, pandemic rental aid funds are disbursed directly to States, U.S. Territories, local governments, and Indian tribes, and grantees are to use the funds to provide assistance to eligible households through either existing or newly created rent assistance programs.
Who Is Eligible for Emergency Rent Assistance?
In order to qualify for rental assistance through the national program, at least one member of a household must have lost income or incurred significant expenses as a result of the pandemic, or be eligible for unemployment benefits. Applicants must also demonstrate a risk of homelessness.
In addition, income levels for 2020 cannot exceed 80% of the applicant’s area’s median income. Applicants should expect to show in writing that they meet these qualifications.
Renters do not need to be behind on rent in order to qualify, but they cannot get money for future rent payments until any rental arrears are paid off.
How Do Renters Apply For Emergency Rent Assistance?
For information on how and where to apply, scroll below to locate state-specific application details, as application processes will differ state by state, and city by city. Many locales and states already have existing rent assistance funds, and it is through one of these that new aid will be available. In other cases, new programs will be created to disburse the funds. Property managers are able to apply on behalf of renters, but must obtain the renter’s signature and provide them with a copy of the application.
How Much Rent Assistance Can Renters Receive?
Renters can receive up to 12 months of back rent and utility bills, and potentially an additional three months of financial support if funds are still available. In some cases, renters may receive funds to cover future rent payments, but only if there’s a plan to address debts. Funds are paid directly to property managers or utility companies.
Rent Assistance Program FAQs
Please consult the Treasury Department’s FAQs, which details information and guidance to state and local grantees in charge of disseminating rent assistance funds. Additionally, the NMHC is continually updating their Rental Assistance FAQ page.
Disclaimer: This Rental Assistance Tracker is courtesy of LeaseLock, the only provider of a nationwide A- rated lease insurance program that totally eliminates security deposits, surety bonds and guarantors. The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available are for general informational purposes only. Information in this article may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This article contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; LeaseLock does not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
List of State Emergency Rent Assistance Program Applications, FAQs, & Additional Resources
Alabama
Alaska
- Alaska’s applications for rent relief are currently closed. However, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation should provide updates about the application process.
- Alaska Housing Rent Relief FAQs
Arizona
Arkansas
- Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association Application
- Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association FAQs
California
Colorado
- Colorado Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance Application
- Colorado Emergency Rental FAQs and Resource
Connecticut
Delaware
- Delaware Housing Assistance Program Rental Assistance Application
- Delaware Housing Assistance Program Rental Assistance FAQs
Washington D.C.
- COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program (CHAP) Application
- District of Columbia Department of Housing and Community Development FAQs
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
- Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement Rental Assistance Application
- Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement Rental Assistance FAQs
Idaho
- Idaho Housing and Finance Association’s Housing Preservation Application
- Idaho Housing and Finance Association Rental Housing FAQs
Illinois
- Illinois is not accepting applications — check the Illinois Rental Payment Program page for updates about the application process.
- Illinois Rental Payment Program FAQs
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
- Team Kentucky Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund Application
- Team Kentucky Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund FAQs
Louisiana
- Louisiana Housing Corporation Rental Assistance Application
- Louisiana Housing Corporation Rental Assistance FAQs
Maine
Maryland
- Maryland has not yet deployed funding, however the Department of Housing and Community Development will provide updates that should be helpful in ascertaining when the state program will be open. They are aiming to open local programs by May 1, 2021.
- Department of Housing and Community Development Resources
Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Housing and Community Development Application
- Massachusetts Housing and Community Development FAQs
Michigan
- Michigan State Housing Development Authority Application
- Michigan State Housing Development Authority FAQs
Minnesota
- Application process is not yet open, but there is a link to subscribe to updates from the Minnesota Housing Department about the application process.
- Minnesota Housing Rental Assistance FAQs
Mississippi
Missouri
- Missouri State Assistance for Housing Relief Application
- Missouri State Assistance for Housing Relief FAQs
Montana
- Montana is still developing the program to administer and distribute the funds. However, there is a link to subscribe to updates.
- Montana Housing Rental Assistance FAQs
Nebraska
- Nebraska Emergency Rental Assistance Program Application
- Nebraska Emergency Rental Assistance Program FAQs
Nevada
New Hampshire
- Community Action Partnership of New Hampshire Agency Lookup
- New Hampshire Emergency Rental Assistance Program FAQs
New Jersey
- New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Rental Assistance Application
- New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Rental Assistance FAQs
New Mexico
- New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority Application Portal
- New Mexico Housing Cost Assistance Program FAQs
New York
- New York currently has no program administering or disbursing the funds. The state appears to be in the process of developing a program to disburse the funds.
- New York Emergency Rental Assistance Senate Bill
North Carolina
- North Carolina is not accepting new applications at this time, but rent and utility payments for current eligible applicants continue to be processed. Check for updates here.
- North Carolina Rental Assistance Program FAQs
North Dakota
Ohio
- Ohio delegates the application processes to the entities listed here.
- Rent Assistance Programs in Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
- Oregon delegates the application processes to the entities listed here. However, Oregon also has a landlord-specific program that allows landlords to apply directly for assistance to cover rental arrears. The applications for the program open up in April.
- Oregon Rental and Housing Assistance FAQs
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
- South Carolina has only just disbursed funds from the CARES act (which is now closed). However, here’s the link to applications for funds to be disbursed by South Carolina, and here’s the link to the general program page, which should have updates about the new funding (from the Consolidated Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan Act).
South Dakota
- Landlords cannot apply on behalf of tenants in South Dakota. However, they can urge them to apply via the SD Cares Housing Assistance Program Application.
- South Dakota Housing Development Authority FAQs
Tennessee
- Tennessee Housing Development Agency Rent Relief Application
- Tennessee Housing Development Agency Rent Relief FAQs
Texas
Utah
Vermont
- Vermont has not yet instituted a program to distribute the funds from the Consolidated Appropriations Act or the American Rescue Plan Act. However, when they have more information, they will update here.
- Vermont Approved Rental Assistance Disbursement Plan
Virginia
Washington
- Washington State Department of Commerce Rent Assistance Providers
- Washington State Department of Commerce Rent Assistance Information
West Virginia
Wisconsin
- Wisconsin has delegated the application process to the counties. Use this interactive map for instructions on how to apply for assistance in each county.
Wyoming
- Wyoming has not currently set up a program to disburse Emergency Rent Assistance funds. However, find updates on Wyoming’s plans to distribute the funding here.
To download a PDF of the comprehensive list of state emergency rent assistance programs, fill out the form below:
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