Important Notice: Applying for the ERAP is free and one-on-one application assistance for tenants is available in English and Spanish by contacting the Hillsborough County Social Services Department Call Center at 813-272-5220. Tenants should be wary of anyone requesting payment to complete an ERAP application.

Reporting Potentially Unsafe Living Conditions: Tenant safety is important to us. Tenants wishing to report unsafe living conditions may call the following numbers based on where they live: City of Tampa (813) 274-5545, Plant City (813) 659-4200, Temple Terrace (813) 506-6690, or Hillsborough County (813) 274-6600.

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Program Details

The Hillsborough County Rapid Response Recovery’s (R3) Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more about the landlord or tenant roles in this program, select the role best fit for you below.

For Landlords



For Tenants/Renters

Landlord Details

Overview

The Hillsborough County Rapid Response Recovery’s (R3) Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) assists households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On behalf of approved tenants, the program will pay landlords up to 12 months of past-due rent, additional eligible late fees, up to 3 months of prospective rent, and past-due TECO electric utilities at time of application review. Note that tenants may apply again if they fall back into arrears while the program is active. Households that are eligible are renter households with incomes no more than 80% of area median income (AMI) that also meet conditions related to their employment status, economic impact, and risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Priority is given to households with incomes of no more than 50% AMI in which one or more family members is/are unemployed for at least 90 days.

As a landlord, you have an essential role in the program and are encouraged to actively participate to be eligible for funding. Landlords who register for ERAP will be paid directly for past-due rent if their tenant’s application is approved.

Important to Note:

  • Registration is required for landlords to participate in the program and receive funds directly on behalf of their approved tenants. Registration allows tenants and landlords to be matched up within the system and the ability for landlords to see the status of tenant applications.
  • If a landlord is not registered, the landlord will receive a registration invitation when a tenant applies to the program and provides landlord information on the application.
  • Landlords cannot apply on behalf of tenants but are encouraged to share the program details with tenants. Registered landlords will receive notifications about tenant applications and be asked to provide rental ledgers for each tenant’s past-due rent. Prompt responses to ERAP application requests will help expedite the process and payment issuance for approved tenants.
  • Eligible Tenants:
    • Group 1: Rental households with incomes 50% AMI or less in which one or more family members is/are unemployed for at least 90 days
    • Group 2: Rental households with incomes at or less than 80% AMI

Registration Requirements:

  • Completed W9 form(s)
  • List of rental properties with physical address

Application Timeline

  • The portal opened for applications on March 23, 2021.

Applications will be accepted until funding is allocated.

Additional Disclosures

Additional Terms and Conditions for all applications are located HERE. When you participate in the program, you agree to these Terms & Conditions, so please make sure you read them before you register/apply. Here are some additional details about the funding source for this program:

  • Federal award identification: Coronavirus Relief Fund
  • FAIN number: ERA0049
  • Federal award date: January 15, 2021
  • Federal award project description: The Emergency Rental Assistance program makes available $25 billion to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are provided directly to States, U.S. Territories, local governments, and Indian tribes. Grantees use the funds to provide assistance to eligible households through existing or newly created rental assistance programs.
  • Federal awarding agency: U.S. Dept. of the Treasury
  • Pass-through entity: Hillsborough County, FL
  • CFDA Number: 21.023
  • CFDA name: Emergency Rental Assistance Program
  • R&D designation: Non R&D
  • Indirect cost rate for the federal award: N/A

Tenant/Renter Details

Overview

The Hillsborough County Rapid Response Recovery’s (R3) Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) assists households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On behalf of approved tenants, the program will pay landlords up to 12 months of past-due rent, additional eligible late fees, up to 3 months of prospective rent, and past-due TECO electric utilities at time of application review. Note that tenants may apply again if they fall back into arrears while the program is active. Households that are eligible are renter households with incomes no more than 80% of area median income (AMI) that also meet conditions related to their employment status, economic impact, or risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Priority is given to households with incomes of no more than 50% AMI in which one or more family members is/are unemployed for at least 90 days.

Important to Note:

  • A completed online application is required to be eligible for ERAP financial assistance.
    • The online application process requires tenants to provide information and supporting documentation that will be used to determine eligibility and potential payment amounts.
    • Missing or incorrect information could result in delays or a denial of payment.
  • Landlords will be registering prior to the application portal opening. Tenants are encouraged to to notify their landlords when they apply and continue to work with their landlords throughout the process to ensure prompt responses to ERAP application requests.

Application Timeline

  • The portal opened for applications on March 23, 2021.

Applications will be accepted until funding is allocated.

Additional Disclosures

Additional Terms and Conditions for all applications are located HERE. When you participate in the program, you agree to these Terms & Conditions, so please make sure you read them before you register/apply. Here are some additional details about the funding source for this program:

  • Federal award identification: Coronavirus Relief Fund
  • FAIN number: ERA0049
  • Federal award date: January 15, 2021
  • Federal award project description: The Emergency Rental Assistance program makes available $25 billion to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are provided directly to States, U.S. Territories, local governments, and Indian tribes. Grantees use the funds to provide assistance to eligible households through existing or newly created rental assistance programs.
  • Federal awarding agency: U.S. Dept. of the Treasury
  • Pass-through entity: Hillsborough County, FL
  • CFDA Number: 21.023
  • CFDA name: Emergency Rental Assistance Program
  • R&D designation: Non R&D
  • Indirect cost rate for the federal award: N/A