Who Can Apply?

Both landlords and renters may apply.

See the eligibility requirements listed below for landlords and renters:

Renters

Renters may be eligible for rental assistance under the program if the following requirements are met:

• Lives in a parish 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)

Landlords

Landlords may also apply on behalf of their tenants and will be required to accept the following conditions to receive payment under the program:

• Will not evict the tenant for past due rent prior to April 2020

• Will not evict a tenant for at least 60 days after assistance ends unless eviction is for cause. Under the ERAP Program, “for cause” shall not include the following eviction filings: “owner wants possession,” “non-renewal of lease” or “non-payment of rent.” This clause does not preclude the landlord from seeking eviction for lease violations and/or for tenants who violate the health, safety and/or peaceable enjoyment of the property

• Forgive all penalties, interest and court costs related to rent incurred between April 2020 and date of remittance of program rental assistance. The program will cover late fees up to $100 per month, as prescribed within current lease terms. Participating landlords will be required to forgive any late fees that exceed the $100 per month allowance

How to Apply

Begin an application by clicking here. To apply by phone, call 877.459.6555 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

What do I need to do before I apply?

1. Make sure the rental property is within one of the 57 parishes served by the Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Residents of Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans or St. Tammany Parish, must apply directly parish programs.

2. Compile required documentation and information listed in the Renter and Landlord Application Checklists.

3. Confirm that the applicant household meets the program eligibility criteria detailed above under "Who Can Apply?".

4. Refer to the Additional Resources to learn more about the application process and find assistance with filling out an application.

5. Renters should notify their landlords of their intent to apply for program funding. Landlords will need to provide a current email address and contact information and complete a portion of the application. Information-sharing between renter and landlord is critical to linking application information to process payment.

6. Monitor the status of an application within the Applicant Portal following its submission.