Keeping renters safe and in their homes
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 authorized financial rent and utility relief for Arizona renters and landlords to be administered at the state and local level. Renters and landlords in the twelve Arizona counties listed below are able to apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) using the online ERAP portal. Applications will be accepted through the program’s expiration on December 31, 2021 or until funding is exhausted.
Counties Served
Apache
Cochise
Coconino
Gila
Graham
Greenlee
La Paz
Mohave
Navajo
Pinal
Santa Cruz
Yavapai
Several large counties and cities, including Maricopa County, Pima County and Yuma County, are receiving funding directly from the federal government. Those counties will launch their own rental assistance programs, which will be separate from the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) program. Renters residing in cities and counties other than those listed above are encouraged to contact their local jurisdictions for similar programs as listed below:
County or City | Website Address | Anticipated Launch Date |
---|---|---|
Pima County | https://tucsonpimaep.com/ | Available Now |
Tucson | https://tucsonpimaep.com/ | Available Now |
Yuma County | https://www.wacog.com/ycerap/ | March 8 |
Phoenix | https://www.phoenix.gov/humanservices/programs/emergency | March 8 |
Glendale | https://glendaleaz.com/cap | To be determined |
Chandler | https://azcend.org/community-action-program/ | To be determined |
Mesa | https://www.mesaaz.gov/government/mesa-cares | Available Now |
Gilbert | https://gilbertaz.gov/covid19 | To be determined |
Maricopa County *all cities besides Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, Chandler, Gilbert |
https://www.maricopa.gov/helpwithbills | March 15 |
For help finding the agency that may be able to assist you, please use this search tool.
The DES ERAP portal will direct renters living outside these counties to their respective programs.
Renters and landlords can apply online at era.azdes.gov.
Rental assistance is available to both landlords and renters. While both may apply for assistance, eligibility is based on the the renter’s address and ability to meet the following federal criteria:
Household Size (Persons) | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARIZONA COUNTIES | 1 PERSON | 2 PERSON | 3 PERSON | 4 PERSON | 5 PERSON | 6 PERSON | 7 PERSON | 8 PERSON + |
Apache County | 27,650 | 31,600 | 35,550 | 39,450 | 42,650 | 45,800 | 48,950 | 52,100 |
Cochise County | 33,550 | 38,350 | 43,150 | 47,900 | 51,750 | 55,600 | 59,400 | 63,250 |
Coconino County | 42,150 | 48,150 | 54,150 | 60,150 | 65,000 | 69,800 | 74,600 | 79,400 |
Gila County | 30,100 | 34,400 | 38,700 | 42,950 | 46,400 | 49,850 | 53,300 | 56,700 |
Graham County | 34,950 | 39,950 | 44,950 | 49,900 | 53,900 | 57,900 | 61,900 | 65,900 |
Greenlee County | 36,200 | 41,400 | 46,550 | 51,700 | 55,850 | 60,000 | 64,150 | 68,250 |
La Paz County | 28,000 | 32,000 | 36,000 | 40,000 | 43,200 | 46,400 | 49,600 | 52,800 |
Maricopa County | Residents of this county are not eligible for this DES program. Contact your county or city for more information on similar programs. | |||||||
Mohave County | 31,200 | 35,650 | 40,100 | 44,550 | 48,150 | 51,700 | 55,250 | 58,850 |
Navajo County | 29,800 | 34,050 | 38,300 | 42,550 | 46,000 | 49,400 | 52,800 | 56,200 |
Pima County | Residents of this county are not eligible for this DES program. Contact your county or city for more information on similar programs. | |||||||
Pinal County | 43,600 | 49,800 | 56,050 | 62,250 | 67,250 | 72,250 | 77,200 | 82,200 |
Santa Cruz County | 27,650 | 31,600 | 35,550 | 39,450 | 42,650 | 45,800 | 48,950 | 52,100 |
Yavapai County | 36,200 | 41,400 | 46,550 | 51,700 | 55,850 | 60,000 | 64,150 | 68,250 |
Yuma County | Residents of this county are not eligible for this DES program. Contact your county or city for more information on similar programs. |
Assistance priority will be given to renters with household incomes under 50% AMI and to those who have been unemployed 90 days or longer.
Applicants are encouraged to apply safely and conveniently from their own homes using the ERAP online portal. Applicants unable to apply online may apply by phone via the ERAP hotline at 1-833-912-0878.
During their application, renters will need to provide a copy of lease/rental agreement, photo ID, electricity and/or gas bill, disconnection notice (if any), proof of income, eviction notice (if applicable) and proof of hardship, such as a termination letter.
DES will authorize an eligible household’s need up to $3,500 per month for combined rent and utility assistance. Arrears balances dating back to March 2020 will be given priority. Future assistance will be authorized in three month increments. Assistance is available for a maximum of 15 months.
One-time assistance of up to $500 is available to landlords for court and attorney-related costs associated with each housing unit or renter.
Assistance payments will be issued via ACH transfer to the landlord and/or utility service provider. Utility assistance will be disbursed in the same manner.
Applicants can appeal adverse actions by submitting an ERAP Appeal Form or written request within 60 calendar days from the date of decision or adverse action. More information regarding this process is available on the ERAP online portal.
DES will mitigate fraud by verifying the identities of prospective renter applicants prior to the submission of an application using the identity verification service, ID.me. During the application process, renters will receive notice through their selected method of communication with a unique link and instructions on how to use ID.me. If a renter is unable to utilize the ID.me service, they can verify their identity by calling the ERAP hotline or by submitting a paper application with a photo identification.
By agreeing to receive rental assistance funds, the landlord agrees to release the tenant from all liability related to nonpayment of rent for the covered periods. This is a comprehensive release and includes, among other things, a release from late fees, penalties, legal costs and fees, garnishments, court judgments, and court orders of removal. Further, the landlord agrees that the renter has not moved, been removed, and is still residing on the property that relates to the rental assistance payment. Finally, the landlord agrees not to remove the renter for at least 30 days following the payment.
Contact the Emergency Rental Assistance Program hotline at 1-833-912-0878. The call center is available 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other nondiscrimination laws and authorities, ADES does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Persons that require a reasonable modification based on language or disability should submit a request as early as possible to ensure the State has an opportunity to address the modification. The process for requesting a reasonable modification can be found at Equal Opportunity and Reasonable Modification.