If you’re a renter in Georgia who is behind on your rent because of the COVID pandemic, the Georgia Rental Assistance Program can help. They be able to provide up to 12 months of rental and utility bill assistance. These funds are paid directly to the landlord and the utility company on your behalf.

How to Qualify


Who is eligible?

  • Renter’s income must not exceed 80% of the area median.

  • Renter must have experienced a significant reduction in income, incurred significant cost, or faced other financial hardship related to COVID.

  • Renter must be at risk of homelessness or housing instability



Priority is given to renters whose income falls below 50% of area median income, and renters who have been unemployed for 90 or more days.

To find out if you are eligible for assistance, file out the questionnaire. Renters click here. Landlords click here.

What documents are needed to apply?
Renter

  • State identification or passport

  • Income documentation for all members of household eighteen or older

  • Past due notices for rent and/or utility bills

  • Copy of lease agreement

  • Documents showing evidence of unemployment eligibility, significant financial hardship related to COVID



For a detailed list of the required documents, click here.

Landlord

  • State identification or passport

  • Evidence of ownership or authorization agreement to act on behalf of owner

  • W-9 and banking information

  • Statement of past due rent


For a detailed list of the required documents, click here.

FAQ


Who is ineligible for the program?
Renters whose income is above 80% of the area median cannot receive assistance through this program. Renters who are unable to show proof of COVID related financial hardship or risk of homelessness or housing instability are ineligible for the program.

How much rent does the program pay?
You can receive 12 months of past due and future rent through the program. Under certain circumstances, renters can receive a total of 15 months of assistance.

Is this assistance available throughout Georgia?
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has given the State of Georgia AND cities and counties with 200,000 residents funds for rent assistance. The cities and counties with 200,000 or more residents have set up their own programs.

What cities and counties have their own programs?
Atlanta City, Augusta-Richmond County Consolidated Government, Chatham County, Cherokee County, Clayton County, Cobb County, DeKalb County, Forsyth County, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, Hall County, and Henry County.

You can get more information on their individual programs by going to the websites listed below: