The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) per the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, provides temporary rental and utility assistance for eligible renters whose employment income has been impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis. This emergency assistance is to prevent evictions and utility turn-off, and is subject to funding availability. This program is a collaborative effort between the St. Mary’s County Department of Aging and Human Services, St. Mary’s County Department of Social Services, Three Oaks Homeless Center, and Housing Authority of St. Mary’s County, Maryland (HASMC).
ERAP provides financial assistance for the following:
- Up to 15 months of overdue rent – going back to March 13, 2020
- Up to 15 months of overdue utility or home energy costs – going back to March 13, 2020
Each household is eligible to receive a total of up to 15 months of assistance total under ERAP. ERAP cannot pay for rental and utility costs that have been or will be covered under another funding source (no duplication of benefits). The tenant can apply for assistance themselves or their landlord can apply for assistance on the tenant’s behalf, however, tenants must sign the application and attest that all the information in the application is true.
*In order to assist as many families as possible, we are only able to provide assistance to eligible families one time.*
If you have any questions, you can contact us Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at ERAP@stmaryshousing.org.
