As of 2023 the Georgia Rental Assistance Program is no longer accepting new applications. The following information relates to an assistance program that was previously available for a period of time during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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If you are a Georgia renter who has fallen behind on rent payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may qualify for assistance. The Georgia Rental Assistance Program can provide up to 12 months of rental assistance and utility assistance, paid directly to landlords and service providers on behalf of tenants.
The State of Georgia received $552 million from U.S. Treasury's Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program to provide relief to individuals, families, and landlords whose finances have been negatively impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) administers this program. Eligible applicants will receive up to 12 months of payment relief.
The funds may be used to pay for rent and utility payments as well as past-due rent and utility payments.
Congressman Bishop Hosts Virtual Town Hall Meeting About the Program
In September 2021, Congressman Bishop hosted a virtual town hall meeting with representatives from the DCA as well as the Georgia Apartment Association and the Urban League of Greater Columbus to discuss the Emergency Rental Assistance program and answer questions from Georgia residents.
Click here to watch the complete virtual town hall meeting (1 hour) via YouTube.
What is ERA and how did Congress create the program?
The Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program makes funding available to assist households that are unable to pay rent or utilities. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program was funded in two parts as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2021 (December 2020) and the American Rescue Plan (March 2021), both of which Congressman Bishop fought for as senior member of the U.S. House of Representatives and leader on the Appropriations Committee.
- ERA1 provides up to $25 billion under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.
- ERA2 provides up to $21.55 billion under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which was enacted on March 11, 2021.
ERA funds are provided directly to states, U.S. territories, local governments, and (in the case of ERA1) Indian tribes or Tribally Designated Housing Entities, as applicable, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Grantees use the funds to provide assistance to eligible households through existing or newly created rental assistance programs.
For tenants and landlords... Am I eligible? For what am I eligible?
For the terms specific to Georgia, please scroll to the top of this page and visit the link to Georgia Department of Community Affairs webpage for the Georgia Rental Assistance Program.
It is important to keep in mind that:
- Rental assistance is available to rental households who have experienced financial hardship due to the pandemic (or during the pandemic, for ERA2), are at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, and have a household income at or below 80% of area median income (with some adjustments under ERA2 for smaller and larger families).
- Households may be eligible for up to 18 months of financial assistance, depending on the terms of the local program.
- Treasury's guidance allows funds to be used for rent, utilities, and other housing-related expenses.
- Arrears are eligible but not required;
- funds can be used for prospective needs as well.
- State and local programs can cover specific eligible expenses within the scope of Treasury's guidance.
- Residents of federally subsidized housing are eligible for ERA under Treasury's guidance. Under ERA2, grantees cannot refuse to provide assistance to these residents.
- Under ERA2, renters cannot be denied assistance even if landlords refuse to participate.
