The Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) today is relaunching the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), which will offer relief to landlords on behalf of renters experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The relaunch of our Emergency Rental Assistance Program will support Prince Georgians who continue to experience financial difficulties due to the pandemic,” said Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. “We will continue to do everything we can to provide economic relief where it is needed most.”
A total of $8 million was made available for the Prince George’s County ERAP when the program was launched in May. To date, DHCD has distributed more than $2.1 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) for rental assistance to Prince George’s County residents.
However, the County received thousands of incomplete applications — with applicants not responding to multiple phone calls, emails, and letters. The relaunch will now make owners, landlords, and property managers responsible for submitting documentation on behalf of the tenants to help streamline and expedite the application process. Nearly $6 million in CRF will be made available for the program’s relaunch.
According to a County press release:
Owners, landlords, or property managers of multi-family, single-family, condominium, and cooperative rental properties, suffering from business losses as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency, are eligible to apply if they hold a valid County rental license.
The deadline for submitting applications for this program is Tuesday, November 10, 2020. Funding for this program will be distributed on a first-come, firstserved basis. Owners, landlords, and property managers are encouraged to apply immediately.
Owners, landlords or property managers may apply for each tenant’s delinquent rental payments beginning on or after April 1, 2020. The monthly amount of assistance is based on the actual rent only. The rental assistance is capped at $1,800 per month for up to 6 months.
For an owner, landlord or property manager to apply for funding on behalf of their tenants, the tenants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
1) have a valid lease agreement in their name;
2) the tenant’s annual income does not exceed 80% of the area median income, as determined by HUD, and adjusted for household size; and
3) the household has a COVID-19 triggering event.
Tenants who receive housing subsidies from the federal, state or local government are ineligible for the ERAP.
DHCD is administering this program through its online Owner/Landlord Portal. Instructions are available on DHCD’s ERAP webpage to assist in using the online portal. The 80% area median income tables will assist in determining tenant eligibility for the ERAP. Information, data and supporting documents from the application will be entered into the online Owner/Landlord Portal by the landlord or a representative.
Visit the Prince George’s County website for more information.
