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

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 created rent and utility assistance for Arizona renters and landlords. Assistance will be given out at the state and local level. Renters and landlords in the twelve Arizona counties listed below can apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) using the online ERAP portal. Applications will be accepted through the program’s end date of December 31, 2021 or until the money is spent.

Counties Served

Apache
Cochise
Coconino
Gila

Graham
Greenlee
La Paz
Mohave

Navajo
Pinal
Santa Cruz
Yavapai

Additional County and City Programs

Some large counties and cities, including Maricopa County, Pima County and Yuma County, are getting funding from the federal government. Those counties will have their own rental assistance programs separate from the DES program. Renters living in cities and counties other than those listed above should contact their local area for similar programs as listed below:

*Counties and cities rental assistance programs*
County or City	Website Address	Phone Number	Anticipated Launch Date
Pima County	https://tucsonpimaep.com/		Available Now
Tucson	https://tucsonpimaep.com/		Available Now
Yuma County	https://www.wacog.com/ycerap/	(928) 782-1886	Available Now
Phoenix	City of Phoenix Human Services Department https://www.phoenix.gov/RentHelp Wildfire https://wildfireaz.org/erap	Central Intake Line (602) 534-2433 (602) 604-0640	Available Now Available Now
Glendale	https://glendaleaz.com/cap	(623) 930-2854	Available Now
Chandler	https://azcend.org/community-action-program/	(480) 963-1423 Extension 118	Available Now
Mesa	https://www.mesaaz.gov/government/mesa-cares	(480) 644-5440	Available Now
Gilbert	https://www.gilbertaz.gov/residents/community-and-neighborhood-services/community-resources/foreclosure-prevention-predatory-lending-information/		Available now
Maricopa County *all cities besides Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, Chandler, Gilbert	https://hsdclientportal.maricopa.gov/		Available Now

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 renter’s address and ability to meet the following federal rules:

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 has been impacted by 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 can apply safely from their own homes using the ERAP online portal. Applicants unable to apply online may apply by phone through 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 or explanation of their hardship, such as a termination letter.

Payment Information

How much can eligible applicants expect to receive in assistance?

An eligible household may receive up to $3,500 per month for both rent and utility assistance, depending on their need. Past-due balances dating back to March 2020 will be given priority. Future assistance will be allowed 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 given directly to landlords and/or utility service providers.

Appeals

If you are denied and are not eligible for rent and/or utility assistance, you can appeal those actions. You can do this by submitting an ERAP Appeal Form or written request within 60 calendar days from the date of the decision. More information on this process is on the ERAP online portal.

Fraud Safeguards

DES will reduce fraud by confirming the identities of applicants before they submit an application using an identity verification service, ID.me. During the application process, renters will get notice through their selected method of communication with a link and instructions on how to use ID.me. If a renter is not able to utilize the ID.me service, they can verify their identity by calling the ERAP hotline or by submitting a paper application with 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 broad release and includes, among other things, a release from late fees, penalties, legal costs and fees, garnishments, court judgments, and court orders of removal. Also, the landlord agrees that the renter has not moved, been removed, and is still living 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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