WASHINGTON — District residents applying to the city's Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) may have noticed some notable differences as they were applying for the program this time around.
ERAP provides low-income tenants who are facing eviction with money for overdue rent. The program also supports tenants with security deposits and the first month's rent for those moving into new apartments. The amount paid to the applicant depends on a household's income and available resources.
At noon on Wednesday, D.C.'s Department of Health and Human Services went live with the program's portal that in the past has crashed due to technical issues prompted by the high demand of visitors. Now they have launched a virtual waiting room to avoid overwhelming the site.
ERAP applicants were also met with changes in the way they prove their eligibility for the program. A tenant must provide a photo ID, proof of residency like a lease agreement, and proof of income to submit an application. These documentation requirements were relaxed during the COVID-19 pandemic which means tenants were able to self-certify their need for the assistance.
Last month, the DC Council unanimously approved emergency legislation to roll back these pandemic era protections amid concerns of unpaid rent. The changes would make it easier for landlords to evict tenants who do not pay their rent.
The Bowser administration estimates that in 2024 D.C. landlords are facing more than $100 million in unpaid rent.
In April, Mayor Muriel Bowser shared concerns about possible misuse of the ERAP Program. During a hearing, At-Large Councilmember Robert White, who chairs the Committee on Housing, asked Bowser if she believed that half of the ERAP applicants were using the program fraudulently.
"I believe that there are people that are using ERAP that can pay their rent," Bowser told councilmember. "You will face eviction if you don't pay your rent, and if you think the government is going to pay it, you stop paying."
Outside of the University of the District of Columbia Northeast Campus, Wanda Thompson told WUSA9 she is on board with the additional documentation if it means they money is going to those who need it most.
"Help people like me that really need the help like me. I can't work," she said.
Thompson said her son, who she lost last December, helped her pay her rent.
"As you can see, I am disabled. No ─ I have a disability. I fell back on my rent after my son passed so I need the help," she said.
The emergency legislation passed last month also eliminates the requirement for judges to delay eviction proceedings if a tenant has a pending ERAP application. Tenant advocates have testified they are concerned this may lead to an avalanche of evictions.
Currently, the DC Council is considering legislation introduced by Chairmen Phil Mendelson to make the documentation requirements permanent.