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).

Change log

This document logs changes made to guidance since the start of the Emergency Rental Assistance Programs.

2024

December

On December 4, 2024, these FAQs were updated to provide grantees with additional on their responsibilities related to improper payments.  All FAQS (12/04/2024).

additions

  • On December 4, 2024, FAQ 47 was added.
  • On December 4, 2024, FAQ 48 was added. 
  • On December 4, 2024, FAQ 49 was added.
  • On December 4, 2024, FAQ 50 was added.

March

On March 5, 2024, these FAQs were updated to clarify the use of ERA2 funds for affordable rental housing, eviction prevention, and housing stability purposes. All FAQS (3/05/2024).

Changes

  • On March 5, 2024, FAQ 46 was revised.

2023

May

On May 10, 2023, these FAQs were updated to address the use of self-attestation alone following the expiration of the public health emergency. All FAQS (5/10/2023).

CHANGES

  • On May 10, 2023, FAQ 4 was revised.

2022

July

On July 27, 2022, these FAQs were updated to provide grantees with information on obligating ERA2 funds to affordable housing and eviction prevention purposes. All FAQs (7/25/2022)

On July 6, 2022, these FAQs were revised to provide further information regarding: the documentation and eligibility requirements for housing stability services; program accessibility for protected classes; documentation requirements related to bulk payments; the applicability of source-of-income discrimination laws; the permissibility of job and employment requirements; and the remediation of payments made by multiple grantees intended to cover the same expenses. All FAQs (7/6/2022)

ADDITIONS

  • On July 27, 2022, FAQ 46 was added.
  • On July 6, 2022, FAQ 45 was added. 
  • On July 6, 2022, FAQ 44 was added.
  • On July 6, 2022, FAQ 43 was added.

CHANGES

  • On July 6, 2022, FAQ 1 was revised.
  • On July 6, 2022, FAQ 15 was revised.
  • On July 6, 2022, FAQ 23 was revised.
  • On July 6, 2022, FAQ 37 was revised.
  • On July 6, 2022, FAQ 38 was revised.

Minor edits were made for clarity.

2021

August

On August 25, 2021, these FAQs were revised to provide further clarification on the use of self-attestation and to describe methods of speeding payments to eligible households. Specifically, substantive revisions were made to:

All FAQs (8/25/2021)

Additions

  • On August 25, 2021, FAQ 42 was added.
  • On August 25, 2021, FAQ 41 was added.
  • On August 25, 2021, FAQ 40 was added.

Changes

  • On August 25, 2021, FAQ 3 was revised.
  • On August 25, 2021, FAQ 4 was revised.
  • On August 25, 2021, FAQ 7 was revised.
  • On August 25, 2021, FAQ 11 was revised.
  • On August 25, 2021, FAQ 38 was revised.

Additional edits were made for clarity.

June

On June 24, 2021, these FAQs were revised to further clarify how to promote housing stability for eligible households; specifically the changes noted below, in addition to other nonsubstantive changes.

All FAQs (6/24/2021)

Additions

  • On June 24, 2021, FAQ 39 was added.
  • On June 24, 2021, FAQ 38 was added.
  • On June 24, 2021, FAQ 37 was added.
  • On June 24, 2021, FAQ 36 was added.

Changes

  • On June 24, 2021, FAQ 35 was revised.
  • On June 24, 2021, FAQ 33 was revised.
  • On June 24, 2021, FAQ 31 was revised.
  • On June 24, 2021, FAQ 29 was revised.
  • On June 24, 2021, FAQ 23 was revised.
  • On June 24, 2021, FAQ 14 was revised.

May

On May 7, 2021, these FAQs were revised to provide initial guidance for ERA2, to clarify differences between ERA1 and ERA2, and to clarify how ERA should be used to promote housing stability for eligible households.

Additions

  • On May 7, 2021, FAQ 35 was added.
  • On May 7, 2021, FAQ 34 was added.
  • On May 7, 2021, FAQ 33 was added.
  • On May 7, 2021, FAQ 32 was added.
  • On May 7, 2021, FAQ 31 was added.
  • On May 7, 2021, FAQ 30 was added.

March

Additions

  • On March 25, 2021, FAQ 29 was added.

Changes

  • On March 16, 2021, FAQ 28 was added.
  • On March 16, 2021, FAQ 27 was added.
  • On March 16, 2021, FAQ 26 was added.
  • On March 16, 2021, FAQ 7 was revised to add rental security deposits as a permissible relocation expense and clarify that application or screening fees are permissible rental fees.

February

Changes

  • The initial FAQs were revised to, among other things, clarify program requirements and provide additional flexibility with respect to documenting the eligibility of households.

January

Additions

  • Initial FAQs were released for ERA1.