Louisiana Rental Assistance
The ERAP Louisiana (Emergency Rental Assistance Program) is comprised of participation from 57 parishes across the state. The local municipalities and parishes that are listed below have decided to administer their programs. If you live in one of these parishes, you will not be able to apply for the state program since you will not meet the requirements to do so. Because local programs could differ in terms of eligibility, prioritizing, benefits, and the application process, applicants should contact the local programs directly.
Understanding Eligibility
- You must be a resident of one of the program’s 57 parishes.
- As a result of the COVID-19 epidemic and/or other economic factors, at least one member of the household qualified for unemployment benefits, the household’s income dropped, large costs were incurred, or the household encountered some other type of financial difficulty.
- They have received a notice that they are overdue on their rent, a notice that they are behind on their utilities, an eviction notice, or are experiencing housing instability.
- The household’s income does not surpass 80% of the maximum for the area’s median income (AMI) The total amount of program payments for your parish cannot exceed 120 percent of the FMR values. Please see this website for more information.
APPROVED LANDLORDS
- The eviction proceedings against the tenant for unpaid rent will not begin until April 2020.
- If assistance is no longer available, the tenant will not be evicted for at least sixty days, unless there is a compelling reason to do so.
- Except for late fines of up to $100 per month, the organization will waive all penalties, interest, and court charges related to renting accrued between April 2020 and the date of remittance of program rental assistance.
DOCUMENTS
Landlord Application Checklist
FAQS
- Who may apply for the Louisiana Rental Assistance?Â
To qualify for the rental aid provided by the Louisiana ERAP, a renter must first apply and live in one of the 57 parishes that are under the program’s administration. Either the landlord or the prospective tenant may apply to a rental unit. During the application process, it is common practice to request information from both parties to complete the procedure.
Renters who live in one of the seven parishes or LGUs that are responsible for the administration of their emergency rental assistance programs are required to make direct contact with the parish program administrators using the links that are provided below.
What can I do if my application hasn’t been completed or processed and I’m about to be evicted?
If you are facing eviction, apply right away using the program’s Application Portal, which may be found here. Past-due rent as early as April 1, 2020, late fees of up to $100 a month, past-due utility expenditures as early as April 1, 2020, and up to three months ahead of rent are all covered by Louisiana’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program. If you are unable to access the application online, please call 877.459.6555 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
If you are facing eviction, you should apply as soon as possible and include all proof, including the eviction notice if possible. If the landlord refuses to cooperate, you should attach a note to your application and inform your case manager about the eviction threat.
You can also send an email to info@lastaterent.com with the subject “Eviction Help” and include information about your case as well as your application number.
There are additional free resources available to help with homelessness prevention, such as:
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- To locate a shelter or homelessness prevention service in your region, dial 211.
- Visit www.LAHousingSearch.com or call 1-877-428-8844 to search for available inexpensive houses.
- Visit Louisiana’s Housing Coordinated Entry Access Points at www.laboscoc.org/housing-and-services or call 225-388-5800 for local homelessness prevention resources.
- For a list of community partners from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, go to www.hud.gov/states/louisiana/homeless.
- Visit www.LouianaLawHelp.org for more information on the eviction process in Louisiana.
- Visit www.Ready.NOLA.gov for information on renter’s rights and eviction procedures, especially after a disaster.
- Shreveport ERAP
What are the minimum requirements for monthly rental revenue?
To qualify for assistance under the ERAP Louisiana (Emergency Rental Assistance Program), a household’s annual income cannot be higher than 80 percent of the median income for the parish, as determined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Please click here to view the AMI statistics broken down by parish.
- What is the purpose of the Internal Revenue Service Form 1099-G that I received from the Louisiana Rental Assistance?
You are receiving this form because the Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program made a payment to you in 2021 for services rendered as a landlord or utility company. These payments were made by the government of the state. Simply clicking on this link will take you to the desired page with further details.
- What does Louisiana’s Rental Assistance Program cover?
For qualifying households, the program pays rent arrears dating back to April 2020 as well as up to three months of future rent, for a total of 15 months. If specified in the existing lease terms, monthly late fines of up to $100 may be paid.
Payment is usually given to the landlord, however, if the landlord is unresponsive, payment may be made to the tenant. Direct payments made to renters to pay rent may not exceed six months’ rent.
For someone who has been evicted, the program can pay up to three months of future rent for a new rental place with a signed lease. The program will cover a person’s accommodation expenditures while they look for a new rental unit.
Furthermore, the program can help tenants with past-due and current utilities and home energy expenditures, as well as some penalty fees, such as electricity, gas, fuel oil, water and sewer, and rubbish pickup for up to 15 months. Utility payments are received by the utility provider.
If I have already received aid from the Louisiana Rental Assistance Program, are I eligible to submit an application for additional assistance?
No, you are only allowed one application for the program, and the advantages you receive will be determined at the time your award is given.
If you have already submitted an application to the Louisiana Emergency Rental Aid Program and received funding from the program, you do not need to do anything else to be eligible for additional aid. This will be determined automatically. In the event that further funding is made available in the future and you qualify for the program based on your initial application, you will be contacted by the program.
Only one application will be considered for each household or individual tenant. Financing is made more difficult by duplicate applications, which are then removed from the system.
Originally from Toronto, Canada, Denise Madison, age 34, is an expert in housing policy and rental assistance. Denise earned her Master’s in Public Administration from McGill University, focusing her thesis on the effectiveness of rental assistance programs in major Canadian cities. After graduation, she worked with the Canadian government before transitioning to a consulting role in the United States, aiding in the enhancement of federal housing policies and programs. Denise is known for her practical workshops and seminars aimed at landlords and tenants, fostering better understanding and compliance with housing laws. When not at work, Denise cherishes time with her husband and their three young children, exploring the outdoors and teaching them about the importance of community involvement.
