Housing Services
Housing Services
Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) & Emergency Rent and Mortgage Assistance (ERMA)
For COVID-related housing crises, Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT), and Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) are two programs that can provide eligible households up to $10,000 that can be used to help keep their housing, obtain new housing, or otherwise avoid becoming homeless, regardless of source of income, or lack of income. Citizenship or immigration status is not an issue for most of this funding.
In an effort to serve as many households as possible, we have made some changes to the RAFT /ERMA application process at Metro Housing. The largest change is that, due to health considerations, we have eliminated in-office appointments and are using an email-only option instead. See below for more information about applications in other languages.
The process for referrals from partner agencies has several steps:
For greatest efficiency and to ensure the swiftest process, please provide all required documents and explanation of the housing crisis in the first email. It will take between two and four weeks to process all applications.
Additional Flexibility in Response to COVID-19
Who qualifies for RAFT & ERMA?
Due to the COVID-19 health crisis and the stay at home advisory, we ask that clients do not leave their home to attain documents. If they have access to documents without leaving their home, please email pictures of the documents using their smart phone, if possible. If they do not have access to the documents and need additional time, please let us know.
What can RAFT & ERMA funds be used for?
Program funds can be used for housing-related expenses only. Appropriate uses of funds include, but are not limited to:
Program Documents
FY21 Service Partner Packet (Fillable PDF with the following required forms: Referral Form, RAFT/ERMA Joint Application)
RAFT Property Owner Packet (fillable PDF pending) OR ERMA Owner Packet (fillable PDF pending): Use only one packet as determined by the Screening Tool in the Service Partner Packet if the funding is for rent arrears or start-up funding.
Interim RAFT Guidance 10.19.2020
RAFT Administrative Plan 07.01.2020
ERMA Administrative Plan 6.30.2020
Applications in Other Languages
RAFT ERMA Joint Application English – Fillable
RAFT ERMA Joint Application Spanish – Fillable
RAFT-ERMA Joint Application Haitian Creole – Fillable
RAFT-ERMA Joint Application Portuguese – Fillable
RAFT-ERMA Joint Application Russian – Fillable
RAFT-ERMA Joint Application Vietnamese – Fillable