FAQs About Emergency Rental Assistance

Last updated on July 28, 2021

The Treasury Department released updated guidance on the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program. 

The department added or updated guidance on the following topics:

• eviction prevention;
• outreach and accessibility;
• data bundling and bulk payments;
• security deposits;
• assisting families experiencing homelessness;
• working across jurisdictions;
• landlords refusing payments;
• ERA2 administrative expenses;
• housing stability services; and
• reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 provided up to $25 billion for emergency rental assistance (ERA1), and the American Rescue Plan provided up to $21.55 billion for ERA2. The funds are provided directly to states, U.S. territories, local governments, and (in the case of ERA1) Indian tribes or Tribally Designated Housing Entities, as applicable, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

Read the FAQs.