The Broward County Commission has launched an Emergency Rental Assistance program for residents who have been impacted by Covid-19 and meet certain income requirements. This Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), which provides the County with $53 million in U.S. Treasury Department funds, is different than previous programs offered, so even if renters were not qualified for, or elected not to participate in, other rental assistance programs, they should take a moment to review this new assistance.ERAP provides up to 12 months of past due rent and utility payments (back to March 13, 2020) for low-income rental households that have experienced financial hardships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, eligible households can receive up to three months of future payments if needed to ensure housing stability, and if funds are available.Tenants and landlords must work together to participate in the program, and funds will be paid directly to landlords/rental management companies and utility providers.
The county has made various resources available to assist in the application process, including local intake centers where help is offered in person, as well as a call center staffed with multilingual English/Spanish/Haitian Creole professionals from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Applications are now being accepted!
To be eligible, a household must be renting a unit, apartment or house within Broward County and include at least one individual who:
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
Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median
Applications will be accepted from eligible renters or owners/landlords on behalf of renters as long as the funds remain available. Funds will be paid directly to landlords and utility companies.To learn more about the program, eligibility requirements, household income, and to apply, visit Broward.org/RentAssistance call 888-692-7203.