Emergency Rental Assistance Program
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program makes available $46.5 billion to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to COVID-19. The funds will be provided directly to states and eligible local governments. Each state/locality will determine the application and administrative process.
Eligible households may receive up to 12 months of rent and/or utility assistance, plus an additional three months if more time is needed to ensure housing stability and funds are available. An additional three months of assistance will be available to the most vulnerable households at risk of losing housing (up to 18 months maximum), while funds are available.
An eligible household is defined as a renter household in which at least one or more individuals qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19; demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and has a household income at or below 80% area median income.
An application for rental assistance may be submitted by either an eligible household or by a landlord on behalf of that eligible household. Funds will be paid directly to landlords and utility service providers.
Entergy is committed to serving our most vulnerable customers, and because of COVID-19, more and more of our customers are facing unexpected financial crises – including eviction from their homes and mounting utility bills.
More information is available in the chart below about each state/locality application process.
Arkansas
|
Organization |
How landlords and tenants can apply for assistance with past-due rent, forward rent, and utility bills (certain restrictions apply). |
Comments |
Arkansas |
Arkansas Department of Human Services |
Applications for rent and utility assistance are currently not being accepted at this time. |
Visit humanservices.arkansas.gov/ for updates on the application process for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. |
Pulaski County |
Office of Pulaski County Judge |
Both landlords and tenants may apply at portal.neighborlysoftware.com/ERAP-PULASKICOUNTYAR/Participant. |
This program is only available to residents in Pulaski County. |
Louisiana
Louisiana |
Louisiana Housing Corp |
Both landlords and tenants may apply at lastaterent.com. |
If you live in Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans or St. Tammany Parish, you must apply directly to the program in your parish. |
City of Baton Rouge |
East Baton Rouge Parish |
Both landlords and tenants may apply at ebremergencysolutions.com. |
This program is only available to residents in City of Baton Rouge (East Baton Rouge Parish). |
Calcasieu Parish |
Calcasieu Parish Policy Jury (Parish Government) and Human Services Department |
Both landlords and tenants may apply at calcasieuparish.gov/era or (337) 721-4033 or apply in person at 2001 Moeling Street Lake Charles, LA 70601 |
This program is only available to residents in Calcasieu Parish. |
Jefferson Parish |
Jefferson Parish Government |
Both landlords and tenants may apply at jpera.org. |
This program is only available to residents in Jefferson Parish. |
Lafayette Parish |
Lafayette Parish Government |
Both landlords and tenants may contact the following for more information: |
This program is only available to residents in Lafayette Parish. |
City of New Orleans |
New Orleans Office of Community Development |
Both landlords and tenants may apply at ready.nola.gov/incident/coronavirus/assistance/#legal |
This program is only available to residents in Orleans Parish. |
Mississippi
Mississippi |
Mississippi Home Corp |
The application portal is now open to apply for rental assistance, rental arrears, as well as some utilities at ms-ramp.com. |
This program is available to all residents of Mississippi. |
Hinds County |
Hinds County |
Hinds County residents may apply through the newly opened application portal at ms-ramp.com. Funds can be used for rental assistance, rental arrears, as well as some utilities. |
The Hinds County program is currently under development. Visit ms-ramp.com for more information about the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. |
Texas
Texas |
Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs |
Both landlords and renters may apply at TexasRentRelief.com or call (833) 9TX-RENT. |
This program is available to all residents of Texas. |
Harris County |
Harris County Community Services |
Both landlords and renters may apply at houstonharrishelp.org or call (832)402-7568 |
This program is only available to residents in Harris county and City of Houston. |
Jefferson County |
Jefferson County |
Visit co.jefferson.tx.us for more information on how to apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. |
This program is only available to residents in Jefferson county. |
Montgomery County |
Montgomery County - Community Development |
Visit mctx.org for more information on how to apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. |
Currently residents of Montgomery county can apply for rent and utility assistance at TexasRentRelief.com. |
The LIHEAP Program
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) is a program that provides money to help individuals with energy bills and other energy-related expenses. LIHEAP is funded through the federal government and works with the community action agencies to help customers pay for and keep electric service in their homes.
Please check your state’s website for more information about the availability of LIHEAP.
- Arkansas - https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/energy/ or call the Arkansas Community Action Association at 501-372-0807.
- Louisiana - https://www.lhc.la.gov/energy-assistance and https://www.lhc.la.gov/covid19-energy-bill-payment-assistance or call Louisiana Housing Corporation at 225-763-8700.
- Mississippi - https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/community-services/ or call Mississippi Department of Human Services at 601-359-4768.
- Texas - https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/community-affairs/ceap/ or call Texas Department of Health and Community Affairs at 877-399-8939 or 877-541-7905.