Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Emergency rental and utility assistance is provided by the Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program to residents of the state who are at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, as well as landlords who are experiencing difficulties collecting rent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In order to participate in the program in your home parish, you must apply directly to the parish in which you reside (Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans, or St. Tammany).
The following are examples of expenditures that are eligible for program funding:
- 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
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
FOR RENTERS
If a renter meets the following requirements, he or she may be eligible for rental assistance under the program:
A resident of one of the 57 parishes covered by the program who lives in a rental property
At least one member of the household qualified for unemployment benefits, or the household experienced a reduction in income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship as a result of COVID-19, whether directly or indirectly.
Has received a notice of default in rent, a notice of default in utility payments, or an eviction notice, or is experiencing housing insecurity
It is not possible for the household income to exceed 80% of the area median income limit (AMI)
Before submitting an application, renters should review the Renter Application Checklist.
LANDLORDS
A landlord may also submit an application on their tenants’ behalf, but in order to be eligible for payment under the program, the landlord must agree to the following conditions:
Prior to April 2020, the tenant will not be evicted for non-payment of rent.
Will not evict a tenant for at least 60 days after assistance has ended, unless the eviction is necessary for a legitimate reason to do so. The following eviction filings will not be considered “for cause” under the ERAP Program: “owner wants possession,” “non-renewal of lease,” and “non-payment of rent.” However, this clause does not preclude the landlord from seeking eviction in the event of a lease violation and/or for tenants who endanger the health, safety, and/or peaceful enjoyment of the premises.
Provide a full refund of all rent-related penalties, interest, and court costs incurred between April 2020 and the date of remittance of rental assistance from the program. The program will cover late fees up to a maximum of $100 per month, as stipulated in the lease’s current terms. Leasing companies that take part in the program will be required to waive any late fees that exceed the $100 per month allowance.
Before submitting an application, landlords should review the Landlord Application Checklist.
Fill out an application or update your existing application.
To submit an application by phone, dial 877.459.6555 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.