For renters or landlords seeking financial assistance with rent or utilities due to COVID-19
This program provides emergency rental and utility assistance to Louisiana residents who are experiencing housing instability due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Live in one of these seven parishes?
If you live in Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans or St. Tammany Parish, you must apply directly to the program in your parish.
Learn MoreProgram Stats
As of 8 a.m. on November 30, 2021
49,438
Applications started
19,948
Applications submitted
19,714
Utility payments requested
10,552
Tenants approved for rent payment totaling $55,600,115
$54.0M
In Rental & Utility assistance paid to applicants
Apply
Both landlords and renters may apply
This program can provide assistance for:
Past-Due
Rent
Forward Rent
Payments
Utility
Costs
To apply by phone, call 877.459.6555,
8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.
Eligibility
Eligible Renters
-
Live in one of 57 parishes covered by the program
-
At least one individual in the household qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs or experienced other financial hardship due directly or indirectly to COVID-19
-
Received a past due rent notice, past due utility notice, or an eviction notice or is experiencing housing instability
-
Household income does not exceed 80% of area median income limit (AMI)
Eligible Landlords
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Will not evict the tenant for past due rent prior to April 2020
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Will not evict the tenant for at least 60 days after assistance ends unless eviction is for cause
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Will forgive all penalties, interest and court costs related to rent incurred between April 2020 and date of remittance of program rental assistance, with the exception of late fees up to $100 per month, as prescribed within current lease terms
Resources
FAQs
Who can apply for the ERAP program?
Both renters and landlords within the 57 parishes can apply. Generally, both parties will be required to provide information during the application process.
What is the source of program funding?
On December 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (H.R. 133) became law. This relief package includes $25 billion for emergency rental assistance, of which $161 million was allocated to the State of Louisiana to provide assistance in 57 parishes.
The state-administered ERAP program, funded by the U.S. Treasury, uses a two-pronged implementation approach for meeting the continued needs of renters and landlords impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Louisiana Housing Corporation, in partnership with the State of Louisiana Office of Community Development, is administering the program in 57 Louisiana parishes with a funding allocation of $161 million per the recent federal COVID relief legislation.
The following local governments have received $59 million in relief funds directly from the U.S. Treasury Department and are administering their own local programs: Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans, and St. Tammany parishes.
What can I do if I am facing eviction and my application has not yet been completed or processed?
If you need immediate assistance related to your application, you can all the program hotline at 877.459.6555 or you can email the program at [email protected]. Be sure to include your application ID number in the subject line to be contacted within 24 hours and include your full name and address in the email.
There are also free resources available to help prevent homelessness, including:
Call 211 to locate shelter and homelessness prevention resources nearby.
Visit www.LAHousingSearch.com or call 1-877-428-8844 to search for available affordable housing.
Visit Louisiana’s Housing Coordinated Entry Access Points www.laboscoc.org/housing-and-services or call 225-388-5800 for local homelessness prevention resources.
Visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s list of community partners www.hud.gov/states/louisiana/homeless.
Visit www.LouianaLawHelp.org for more information on the Louisiana eviction process.
Visit www.Ready.NOLA.gov for information on renter's rights and guidance related to evictions, especially following a disaster.
What are the income requirements for renters?
The Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program limits eligibility to households with income that does not exceed 80 percent of area median income, as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), for the parish where they reside. To view AMI data by parish, here.
How do I apply for the Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program?
Applicants residing in one of the 57 state program parishes (either tenant or landlord) should visit the application portal to begin the application process. If online access to the application is a challenge, applicants may call 877.459.6555 for support.
Applicants residing in one of the seven Local Government Units administering their own ERA programs need to contact those parish program administrators listed below for application procedures in their respective communities. These programs may vary in terms of eligibility, prioritization, benefits and application process.