Rental Assistance 

What costs does the program cover?

• Past due, current, and up to 2 months of expected rent costs
• Past due and current utility and home energy expenses
• After the initial 3 months of forwarding rental assistance, applicants can apply for 3 additional months of assistance if funds are still available 

Jefferson County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)

ELIGIBILITY: Both landlords and tenants may apply. Tenant households must meet the following eligibility guidelines:

1. One, or more, individuals within the household has qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due directly or indirectly to the COVID-19 pandemic, or

2. One or more individuals within the household can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness/housing instability, or

3. The household has an income at or below 80% of area median income (see income limits below).

MAKING AN APPLICATION: Starting June 14, 2021, Jefferson County tenants and landlords may apply for assistance online. For those without internet access, there will be a call center available to assist, plus on-site application events throughout the county (by appointment only). Applications must be submitted with the following supporting documentation:

1. Texas Driver’s License or Picture ID, Passport, Voter registration card, Military ID. Documentation must show residency in Jefferson County and not be expired.

2. Income Documents for all household members over the age of 18 (Applications providing documents from sections a., b., c., d., or e., will be granted priority):

a. Check stubs from an employer for the previous 30 days from the application date, or

b. 2020 Tax Return (IRS form 1040), or

c. W2, or

d. Unemployment benefits letter (Reflecting the weekly amount being received), or

e. Social Security, Pensions, or Retirement award letter, or

f. Self-declaration document for household members declaring zero income.

3. Eviction Notice or Rental Agreement (For those requesting assistance with rent) Attach a copy of the following 5 pages of rent/lease agreement:

a. Page showing address and tenants that reside at a set location.

b. Page showing what the obligated monthly rent amount is.

c. Page showing tenant and complex representative signatures.

d. Contact information for property owner/manager

4. Current copy of utility bills (for those requesting utility assistance)

LENGTH OF ASSISTANCE: Under ERA 1, eligible households may receive up to 12 months of rent assistance. Payments may go back to April 1, 2020. Applicants can then reapply for assistance in 3-month increments. Up to 12 months of utility assistance can be provided for past and current bills only.

LANDLORD REQUIREMENTS: The landlord must provide:

1. Billing Certification (found at the online portal),

2. Vendor Debarment Form (found at the online portal), and

3. W-9.

Emergency Rental Assistance Flyer 

Emergency Rental Assistance Flyer-Spanish 

Emergency Rental Assistance Eligibility 

Emergency Rental Assistance Eligibility-Spanish 

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