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

Overview

The Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program provided emergency rental and utility assistance to Louisiana residents who were 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 included:

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

Forward rent paid in increments of up to three months

Past-due and current bills, plus some penalty fees

Eligibility

Renters

A renter would 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 could 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

Any questions about previous applications can be directed to [email protected].

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 [email protected]