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 online option instead. See below for more information about applications in other languages.

The process for referrals from partner agencies has several steps:

• • Complete the online Advocate Application HERE.
    • NOTE: Applications without all of the appropriate attachments will not proceed to the next step and will be returned for completion. If you, as an individual, are looking to apply for rental assistance, do not complete this application. Go directly to the individual application.

• • Once the referral has been received from service partners, the RAFT Manager will assign the application to a Case Manager (CM).
  • The CM will review all documents and will follow up with the service provider by email or phone if they are in need of additional documents. The CM will sometimes follow up directly with the family with clarifying questions. If all the required documents are uploaded, the CM will not need to contact the applicant and will instead contact the referring agency.
  • The application will also require property owner documents if requesting arrears or start-up costs. For greater efficiency, these documents should be submitted with the referral. Otherwise the CM will follow up with the property owner and possibly slow the approval process.

For greatest efficiency and to ensure the swiftest process, please provide all required documents and explanation of the housing crisis. It will take between four and seven weeks to process all applications.

• In response to the increased need due to COVID-19, DHCD has authorized a series of changes to make RAFT a more effective tool to help address today’s housing crises. The most significant changes include:
  • Applicants can simply provide a short self-statement (written or verbal) connecting their housing emergency with the COVID-19 crisis. Third-party verification or documentation verifying loss of income is not needed.
  • If documents are unavailable due to the COVID-19 crisis, applications may be processed without documentation that is normally required.
  • Applicants may qualify for utility assistance by providing a termination or shutoff notice from the utility provider. *Contingent on housing preservation and does not apply to homeowners.
  • Subsidized applicants may receive RAFT a second time within 24 months but a rent adjustment should be explored first if there has been a loss in income.
  • Applicants no longer need to be behind on payments to apply. Applicants can provide documentation that COVID-19 has affected their future ability to pay.
  • Income eligibility will be based on current income.
  • CARES act payments will not be included in eligible income calculations.

Household qualifications vary by program. For example, a household that does not qualify for ERAP may still qualify for RAFT or ERMA. All households that fall within the parameters below should apply. Program staff will determine the program for which they are eligible.

Additionally, households that have already received RAFT or ERMA may receive ERAP in addition, as long as the programs do not cover the same expenses for the same month. See specific ERAP program overviews at the bottom of this section.

• A household’s income must be at or below 80 percent area median income (AMI).
• Households composed of any of the following: Individuals, families with older children, couples without children, unaccompanied youth, and households of any size.
• Household must provide documentation/proof that they are currently experiencing a housing crisis:
  • For households with rental arrears: Written documentation of rental arrears, demonstration of a financial hardship (reduction in revenue and/or increase in expenses) that caused the nonpayment of rent, and demonstration that payment of the arrears will allow the household to retain their housing.
  • For households facing eviction: Summary Process Summons and Complaint. Tenants who have a housing subsidy and are facing eviction due to non-payment of rent must also provide proof of financial hardship that explains cause for arrears in order to receive assistance.
  • For households leaving doubled-up housing: Letter from landlord or primary tenant explaining that the family must leave. This must also include the address, date, and contact name and info of person writing letter.  A copy of new lease or letter of intent to rent for new apartment.
  • For households leaving unsafe housing: Verification of unsafe housing conditions and copy of new lease/letter of intent to rent for new apartment.
  • For households facing foreclosure or mortgage arrears: Current mortgage statement and letter from lender indicating that family is at least 30 days in arrears and at risk of foreclosure.
  • For households facing utility shutoff: Utility shutoff notice and current bill.

ERAP Program Overviews

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