State of Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program

State of Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program is sponsored by State of Louisiana. This statewide program provides emergency rental assistance. Specific terms of eligibility, prioritization, benefits, and application processes may vary for parishes that administer their own programs.

Office Of Community Development | Louisiana Emergency Rental… Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program *]:mt-0 [&>*]:inline [&>*]:after:pb-3 [&>*]:after:content-[''] [&>*]:after:block lg:pb-8"> The Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) provided emergency rental and utility assistance to Louisiana renters who were at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability because of financial impacts from COVID-19.

The program also helped property owners who were struggling to collect rent due to the pandemic. Seven parishes received direct allocations from the Treasury Department and administered their own programs—Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans and St. Tammany.

The U.S. Dept. of the Treasury issued $569 million to Louisiana, from which $129 million was allocated directly to local government agencies. The state re-allocated an additional $229 million to seven parishes administering their own rental assistance programs.

The program launched in March 2021 and expended more than $157 million in funding to residents in 57 parishes, including more than $9 million in utility payments, with all funds disbursed by April 2023. It also provided up to 18 months of rental assistance, including both arrears and forward rent combined, and up to 18 months for utility payments.

TOTAL FUNDING: $569 MILLION received assistance throughout 57 parishes directly allocated to the seven parishes administering their own programs of state funding re-allocated to seven parishes, representing approximately half of the state's total population ERAP provided rental and utility assistance to eligible renters and landlords who experienced housing instability due to COVID-19.

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 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.

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 the tenant for at least 60 days after assistance ends unless eviction is for cause 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 Applications were submitted online via the application portal.

The application period for the program closed on December 21, 2022. Requests for paper applications or application assistance were provided through the program call center at 877-459-6555 or through the program email: info@LAStateRent.

com Renter applicants were required to submit documentation that met the requirements of the following: Proof of obligation to pay rent Proof of current housing instability Landlord applicants were required to submit documentation that met the requirements of the following: Proof of taxpayer identification Application Prioritization The state prioritized applications based on the following criteria: Applicant households with income below 50% AMI.

Applications from households that have at least one (1) individual who is unemployed and has not been employed for at least 90 days prior to date of application. Report Fraud, Waste or Abuse If you know or suspect fraud occurred related to the Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program, contact at least one of the following agencies: