Announcement

As of 5 p.m. December 21, 2022, the program is no longer accepting new applications. To check the status of an existing application, click here.

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Program Overview

Program Overview

The application period for the Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program has closed.

Overview

The Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program provides emergency rental and utility assistance to Louisiana residents who are at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, as well as landlords struggling to collect rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you live in Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans or St. Tammany Parish, you will need to apply directly to the program in your parish.

Eligible uses of program funding are as follows:

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Past-due rent dating back to as early as April 1, 2020

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Forward rent paid in increments of up to three months

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Past-due and current bills, plus some penalty fees

Eligibility

Renters

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

  • Lives in a rental property 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

  • Has 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)

Program payments cannot exceed 120% Fair Market Rent (FMR) values for your parish. To learn more, click here.

Landlords

A landlord 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

Check the status of your application

With questions about an existing application, call 877.459.6555, between 8 .a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Applicants have the opportunity to appeal a determination of ineligibility within 30 days of receiving their ineligibility letter. To appeal a determination, applicants should email [email protected] the following information:

  • Application ID

  • Applicant Name

  • Detailed explanation of the request to appeal

The program will respond within 15 days upon receipt of an appeal after conducting a Review Determination. Questions about the appeal process can be directed to the program call center at 877-459-6555.