Looking for rental assistance?

Renters and landlords can find out what emergency rental assistance covers, how it works, and who’s eligible on the interagency housing portal hosted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Keeping Families in their Homes

Even as the American economy continues its recovery from the devastating impact of the pandemic, millions of Americans face deep rental debt and fear evictions and the loss of basic housing security. COVID-19 has exacerbated an affordable housing crisis that predated the pandemic and that has exacerbated deep disparities that threaten the strength of an economic recovery that must work for everyone.

To meet this need, the Emergency Rental Assistance program makes funding available to assist households that are unable to pay rent or utilities. Two separate programs have been established: ERA1 provides up to $25 billion under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which was enacted on December 27, 2020, and ERA2 provides up to $21.55 billion under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which was enacted on March 11, 2021. The funds are provided directly to states, U.S. territories, local governments, and (in the case of ERA1) Indian tribes or Tribally Designated Housing Entities, as applicable, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Grantees use the funds to provide assistance to eligible households through existing or newly created rental assistance programs.

ERA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Latest updates

On June 24, 2021, Treasury updated its previously issued ERA FAQs to provide updates regarding ERA1 and ERA2 programs. All eligible entities should review these FAQs, which provide important information regarding the ERA.

Emergency Rental Assistance Programs

View an index of all emergency rental assistance programs to find assistance near you.

Find rental assistance in your area

Spread the word about Emergency Rental Assistance

In order to aid organizations in spreading the word about the ERA programs, Treasury and CFPB have created the following resources that help renters and landlords find housing help:

ERA1 ALLOCATIONS AND PAYMENTS

ERA1 payments are made directly to states (including the District of Columbia), U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa), local governments with more than 200,000 residents, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and Indian tribes (defined to include Alaska native corporations) or the tribally designated housing entity of an Indian tribe, as applicable (collectively the “eligible grantees”).1

At least 90 percent of awarded funds must be used for direct financial assistance, including rent, rental arrears, utilities and home energy costs, utilities and home energy costs arrears, and other expenses related to housing.  Remaining funds are available for housing stability services, including case management and other services intended to keep households stably housed.  ERA1 funds generally expire on September 30, 2022.  For ease of reference, the assistance listing number (CDFA number) assigned to the ERA program is 21.023.

Information for States, Territories, and Local Governments:

Information for Tribes:

ERA2 ALLOCATIONS AND PAYMENTS

ERA2 payments are made directly to states (including the District of Columbia), U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa), and local governments with more than 200,000 residents.  ERA2 sets aside $2.5 billion for eligible grantees with a high need for ERA2 assistance, based on the number of very low-income renter households paying more than 50 percent of income on rent or living in substandard or overcrowded conditions, rental market costs, and change in employment since February 2020.

At least 90 percent of awarded funds must be used for direct financial assistance, including rent, rental arrears, utilities and home energy costs, utilities and home energy costs arrears, and other expenses related to housing.  Remaining funds are available for housing stability services, including case management and other services intended to keep households stably housed.  ERA2 funds generally expire on September 30, 2025.  For ease of reference, the assistance listing number (CDFA number) assigned to the ERA program is 21.023.

Information for States, Territories, and Local Governments:

APPLICATION PROCESS

Under the statute, Treasury disburses ERA funds to states and other governmental entities, not directly to households or landlords.  Please review the list of eligible grantees on this site and contact your state or other eligible governmental entity for information on how to apply to receive assistance under a program funded by the ERA.

The ERA1 application process has been completed.

Treasury has made available an electronic portal through which eligible entities can complete and submit the ERA2 financial assistance agreement and a payment information form.  Prospective grantees should review in full the statutory requirements and the FAQs above for program requirements.

REPORTING GUIDANCE

Reporting Update:  All Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA1 and ERA2) Recipients have been notified of the requirement to submit Q2 partial reports via Treasury’s Portal by August 6, 2021.

  • ERA Reporting Guidance v 1.0 provides detailed information on ERA1 and ERA2 reporting requirements and reporting deadlines. See Appendix 1 for details on the quarterly reporting required of Recipients that are Tribes, Tribally Designated Housing Entities, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.  This Guidance will be updated periodically and all updates will be posted here.
  • User Guide: Treasury Portal for Recipient Reporting, Emergency Rental Assistance program includes step-by-step guidance for submitting the required ERA1 and ERA2 reports using Treasury’s Portal. 
  • Data Dictionary provides technical definitions and formats for the required report data and is designed specifically for use by Recipients’ data and reporting staff and consultants. 

 

Treasury is also providing program data reported by grantees:

 

 

  1. More specifically, the statute includes Indian tribes, including Alaska native corporations, that were eligible for a grant under title I of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) (25 U.S.C. 4111 et seq.) for fiscal year 2020.