The District of Columbia Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) helps low-income District residents facing housing emergencies. The program provides funding for overdue rent if a qualified household is facing eviction (including late costs and court fees). The program also supports security deposits and first month’s rent for residents moving to new homes.

ERAP serves low-income DC households with children, elderly households (age 60 or older), and people with disabilities. The amount paid on behalf of eligible families depends on a household’s income and available resources, and is subject to certain limitations. ERAP payments can only be used once per year for each eligible household.

How DC Emergency Rental Assistance Funds Were Used in 2008

Eligibility Type	# of Payments	Average Payment	Total Amount of Payments
Children in Household	2,464	$1,942	$4,783,886
Sixty or older	113	$2,002	$226,254
Disabled	662	$2,023	$1,339,065
Children in household & sixty or older	16	$1,971	$31,530
Sixty or older &  disabled	53	$2,243	$118,895
Children in household & disabled	392	$2,490	$975,958
All three eligibility types	14	$2,712	$37,968
Total	3,714	$2,023	$7,513,557