Emergency Rental Assistance Program

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house with "for rent" sign; check from US Treasury; $100 dollar bills

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

Additional County and City Programs

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:

*Counties and cities rental assistance programs*
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.

Eligibility

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:

The renter has a risk of homelessness, housing instability, or unsafe living conditions demonstrated by the following:
- Eviction notice
- Utility shutoff notice
- Past due rent notice
- Past due utility notice
- Any other evidence of unsafe or unhealthy living conditions or housing instability
The renter or member of the renter’s household is eligible for unemployment insurance benefits or has experienced a financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
The renter’s household income is less than or equal to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI)

DES Emergency Rental Assistance Program - Maximum Household Income Eligible - 80% of Area Median Income (AMI)
	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.

How to Apply

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.

Payment Information

How much can eligible applicants expect to receive in assistance?

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.

How will funds be disbursed?

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.

Appeals

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.

Fraud Safeguards

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.

Removal Prevention

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 Us

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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