Renters and landlords can apply for assistance with past due rent and/or utility bills. If you live in Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, New Orleans or St. Tammany Parish, you must apply directly.

All other Louisiana residents apply here.

How to Qualify

Who is eligible?
Renters must meet the following requirements:
1. Renter lives in a property in a parish covered by this program.
2. One or more household member has qualified for unemployment benefits, experienced reduced income or significant financial hardship related to COVID.
3. Household income doesn’t exceed 80% of parish median. To find out what the median income is in the parish in which you live, click here.
4. Renter has received a past due or eviction notice, or is experiencing unstable housing.

Landlords must meet the following requirements:
1. Forgive all rent penalties, court costs, and interest dating back to April 1, 2020 to the time of program assistance. Late fees, up to $100 a month will be reimbursed. Any fees over the $100 limit must be forgiven.
2. Must not evict any tenant with past due rent before April 1, 2020.
3. Agree not to evict renter within 60 days of assistance ending except for cause.

How do I apply?
1. Confirm that renter household meets the eligibility criteria.
2. Gather the required documentation.
3. Notify landlord of your intent to apply.

What documentation is necessary?
Renters
1. Proof of income (annual or monthly) such as 2020 tax forms, W-2s, pay stubs, unemployment benefit statement
2. Proof you are a renter (lease or rental agreement, canceled rent checks)
3. Proof of housing instability (past due rent or eviction notice, past due utility bill)
4. Government issued identification

Landlords
1. Proof of authority to rent (deed, 2020 property tax statement)
2. Taxpayer identification (W-9)
3. Government issued photo identification
4. Copy of lease or rental agreement
5. Rent ledger

FAQ

What’s the difference between LERAP and this program?
LERAP was the first stage of the emergency rental assistance program. The U.S. Treasury funded this program to meet the needs of tenants and landlords adversely affected by COVID.

Can I get help if the eviction process has already started?
Yes. You need to apply now before you are evicted. You can get assistance for past due rent dating back to April 1, 2020, late fines up to $100 a month, and a maximum of three months of future rent.

Can I get help if I’ve already been evicted?
There is free help to find affordable housing whether you are a senior, are disabled, need temporary housing because of a disaster, housing that doesn’t require background or credit checks, and housing that is income based. Once you have a lease in place, the program may be able to assist with up to three months of future rent.

Do you give legal advice?
No. Renters have local, state, and federal rights offering protection from eviction during the pandemic. Some attorneys offer free or reduced fee services.

To find eviction related legal resources, click here.
To find out more about your rights and protections as a tenant, click here.