NOTICE OF REVISIONS TO THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP) PORTAL RE-OPENING SCHEDULE FOR FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2025
The ERAP application portal is currently closed, and the program is not yet accepting new applications for FY 2025.
The DC Department of Human Services (DHS) originally planned to re-open the ERAP application portal on October 1, 2024. However, work is currently underway to reform the ERAP program to ensure its limited resources are going to District residents who are eligible for the program and face the most urgent need for rental assistance. As a result, there will be a delay in reopening the ERAP portal for FY25.
DHS is working with urgency and in partnership with Council and community stakeholders to complete this necessary work and make these emergency funds available as quickly as possible.
During this time, ERAP providers are completing eligibility determination and payments for those applicants who applied in the last quarter of FY24.
After program reforms are finalized, DHS will be able to announce the re-opening of the portal. DHS will make its announcement at least 15 days before the re-opening date, and additional information will be posted here, including options for residents who need assistance with their ERAP applications. At this time, a re-opening date has not been confirmed.
Once the ERAP application portal opens, DHS will keep it open continuously until all FY25 funds have been allocated. This is a change from FY24 when the portal opened quarterly.
Residents seeking emergency rental assistance can submit their application when the portal re-opens. Click here to learn more about the documents needed to submit a complete application.
If you are experiencing homelessness or at immediate risk of homelessness, please contact the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center (VWFRC), the central intake office for all families in the District seeking assistance with their housing needs. VWFRC is located at 920 Rhode Island Avenue, NE, and is open Monday - Thursday from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. The telephone number is 202-526-0017. After business hours, families can call the Shelter Hotline for information about services and resources at 202-399-7093 or 311.
If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact the DHS/FSA ERAP office at [email protected].
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) helps District residents earning less than 40% of the Area Median Income (AMI) who are facing housing emergencies, by providing funding for overdue rent including late fees and court costs if a qualified household is facing eviction. The program also supports security deposits and the first month's rent for residents moving into new apartments. To view eligibility requirements and apply for ERAP, please click the following link: erap.dhs.dc.gov For additional questions or concerns about emergency rental assistance, please contact [email protected].
Funds Report to the Council of the District of Columbia
See the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Monthly Funds Reporting here.
Notice for Landlords/Housing Providers
Per DC Official Code § 42-3501.01, for any eviction authorized in a case filed prior to March 11, 2020, that involves non-payment of rent, the housing provider shall contact the Department of Human Services to determine whether the tenant has a pending Emergency Rental Assistance Program (“ERAP”) and/or STAY DC application no earlier than 5 business days and no later than 48 hours prior to the scheduled date and time of the eviction.
Landlords should send an email to both [email protected] and [email protected] with the following subject line:
"Landlord inquiry – Pre-Eviction Application Status" Please include the tenant name and unit address in the body of the email.
Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP)
The Homeless Prevention Program (HPP) prevents families at risk of becoming homeless from entering the shelter system by providing services and resources that stabilize the family within the community. Diversion Services are also available to assist families who have been displaced from their homes by securing emergency housing outside of the shelter while receiving supportive services to help stabilize their housing or until permanent housing placement.
HPP providers assist families with developing a plan, identifying resources, and setting goals that will help them maintain stable housing with their pre-existing support networks, rather than coming into the shelter system. HPP service providers also offer mediation services and flexible financial assistance. All referrals for HPP are made through the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center (VWFRC).
If you are a family with children under 18 and need emergency shelter, please call the Homeless Services Hotline at (202) 399-7093. The Homeless Services Hotline is available 24 hours a day.
DC Flex Program
In 2017, DHS launched a pilot rental subsidy program called DC Flex, which gives low-income, working families $8,400 to spend per year on rent for four years (or longer if the pilot is extended). Because a family’s ability to pay rent may change as their income and expenses fluctuate month-to-month, participants can choose how much of their DC Flex funds to spend on rent in a given month (up to their total rent amount) until the $8,400 is exhausted. DHS is evaluating the effectiveness of this intervention through a partnership with the Lab at DC.
Please see our below one-pager on The DC Flex for Singles program.
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Additional Housing Resources
To learn more about these programs, mortgage resources, and utility information, visit coronavirus.dc.gov/rent.