SUMMARY

WHO the program is for:
The Wayne County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is available to landlords and their renters within Wayne County who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, who are experiencing housing instability, and whose household income is at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). The applicant must be applying for a residence in Wayne County.

WHAT types of assistance are available:
Assistance is available for rent as well as for utilities. Utility assistance may include: electricity, home heating, water, and sewer. Internet stipends and relocation assistance are also available. Assistance to tenants comes in the form of a payment card. Assistance going directly to landlords comes in the form of an ACH transfer. Note: We will not send payment cards out-of-state.

WHERE a renter or landlord can apply:
Renters and landlords can apply for assistance through our easy-to-use online application. If the application is approved, a notification will be made via email.

WHEN are applications being accepted:
As of Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 11:59pm, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) application portals for both tenants and landlords are closed for new applications.

WHY the program was created:
Even as the American economy continues its recovery from the devastating impact of the pandemic, millions of Americans still face deep rental debt and fear the loss of basic housing security. COVID-19 exacerbated an affordable housing crisis that predated the pandemic and thus has deepened the economic disparities that threaten the strength of our nation. To alleviate this crisis, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program makes funding available to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utility bills.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY

Applicants must meet ALL of the criteria below to be eligible for the Wayne County Emergency Rental Assistance Program:
- The applicant must be a current or prospective renter in Wayne County. Landlords may apply to receive money on behalf of tenants, but the tenant must also submit an application;
- One or more individuals within the household has qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship during or due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 pandemic;
- One or more individuals within the household can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
- The household has a household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI), as determined by the Secretary of HUD. See the information below for income thresholds.

Maximum Annual Income (80% AMI) Based on Persons in Household
- 1 Person - $50,150
- 2 Persons - $57,300
- 3 Persons - $64,450
- 4 Persons - $71,600
- 5 Persons - $77,350
- 6 Persons - $83,100
- 7 Persons - $88,800
- 8+ Persons - $94,550

*Please note, prioritized processing will be in place for households with income at or below 50% AMI as well as households with one or more members that have been unemployed for at least the 90 days preceding the date of application submission.

WHAT TYPES OF ASSISTANCE ARE AVAILABLE

*Tenants experiencing a shut off are eligible for an additional $500 if needed to fully pay utility arrears.

HOW TO APPLY

As of Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 11:59pm, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) application portals for both tenants and landlords are closed for new applications.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED

*TENANT APPLICATION - DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO APPLY*

Please use your full name. Please ensure all photos and documents uploaded are clear and easy to read. No videos. Address and name on attachments must match address and name on application.

Identification
Required

Acceptable Documentation
- Driver's License
- Government ID
- Permanent Residence Card
- Other Government Issued ID Card
- Passport
- Birth Certificate
- Immigration Card

Proof of Residence
Required

Acceptable Documentation
- Written Lease (Preferred) - If your lease is expired, please also include an additional proof of residence.
- Government ID - You may re-use your proof for identification assuming it also includes your address.
- Utility Bill
- Benefit Award Letter
- Piece of Official Mail - Any mail from a government entity.
- Attestation from the Landlord - Relying on a landlord attestation would require that the landlord participates and can only be submitted through the landlord application.

Rent Amount/Leasing Documentation
Strongly Recommended

Acceptable Documentation
- Written Lease (Preferred) - A written lease can be used to verify residence and rental amount.*If you are relying on separate documents for proof of residence and rental amount, see the category above for proof of residence and the examples below can demonstrate proof of rental amount:
- Bank Statement Showing Payment to Landlord
- Email Confirmation for Payment
- Receipt for Payment
- Copy of Rent Check

*If Wayne County cannot verify your rental amount, you may only qualify for limited assistance.

Proof of Amount Past-Due
Strongly Recommended

- Letter from Landlord Stating Amount Past-Due
- Past-Due Notice with Amount

*If Wayne County cannot verify your past-due rental amount, you may only qualify for limited assistance.

Proof of Income
Strongly Recommended

- 2020 or 2021 IRS 1040 Form (First two pages only)
- W2s from 2020

The documents below MUST be dated on or after March 13, 2020:
- Food Assistance Program Benefit Statement (Notice of Case Action)
- One month worth of pay stubs for ALL household employment (dated within the last 60 days)
- Government Benefits Statement
- Unemployment
- Child Support
- Alimony
- Letter from Employer

*If you do not have documentation, you will need to explain WHY you don't have documentation. (Example: A babysitter or street performer who only receives cash payment. This may also apply to individuals whose place of employment no longer exists, etc.)
*The inability to provide income documentation may lead to a slower processing time and may require additional communication between Wayne County and the applicant.

Proof of COVID-19 Hardship
Recommended

Acceptable Documentation
- Unemployment Letters
- Documentation or Notice of Reduced Hours (Must be dated after March 13, 2020)
- Receipts for PPE

Proof of Housing Instability
Recommended

Acceptable Documentation
- Notice of Past Due Rent
- Notice to Quit
- Summons for Eviction Case (Or other Housing Court Notice)
- Past-Due Utility Bill

Internet Bill
Required if Requesting Internet Assistance

Acceptable Documentation
- Most Recent Internet Bill (within 60 days of application submission)
- Must have the applicant's current name and address

Electric Bill
Required if Requesting Assistance with Electricity

Acceptable Documentation
- Most Recent Electric Bill (within 60 days of application submission)
- Must have the applicant's current name and address
- The bill must include all of the account numbers and bill/overdue fee amount must be visible and legible

Gas Bill
Required if Requesting Assistance with Gas

Acceptable Documentation
- Most Recent Gas Bill
- Must have the applicant's name and address
- The account number and bill/overdue fee amount must be visible and legible

Water/Sewer/Trash Bill
Required if Requesting Assistance with Water/Sewer/Trash
(Trash is only included if billed with another utility.)

Acceptable Documentation
- Most Recent Water Bill
- Must have the applicant's name and address
- The account number and bill/overdue fee amount must be visible and legible

*LANDLORD APPLICATION - DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO APPLY*

Please use your full name. Please ensure all photos and documents uploaded are clear and easy to read. No videos. Address and name on attachments must match address and name on application.

Leasing/Rental Documentation
Required

Acceptable Documentation
- Formal Lease
- If there is no formal lease, an attestation from the landlord is required confirming that the tenant lives at the specified property.

Ledger Showing Past-Due Rent
Required if Requesting Assistance for Rental Arrears

Acceptable Documentation
- List of the past-due rent amount and the late fees. Please include documentation from March 13, 2020 to present. (If the tenant moved in after March 2020, please include documentation dating back to the onset of their lease).

Proof of Missed Rent Payment
Required if Requesting Assistance for Rental Arrears

Acceptable Documentation
- Copy of Past-Due Rent Notice
- Notice to Quit
- Copy of a Court Ordered Summons, Complaint, or Judgement

W-9 Form
Required
- Your W-9 Form must be complete and correct.

Direct Deposit Form or Voided Check
Required
- The name on the account must match the legal name you provide. Account information must match the information you enter.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

SUBMIT ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION HERE

ERAP FLYER
ERAP FLYER (SPANISH)
ERAP FLYER (ARABIC)
ERAP FLYER (BANGLA)
W-9 FORM ASSISTANCE
LIST OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SERVICES
RENTERS RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

THANK YOU

Michigan State Housing Development Authority
Wayne County's 43 Municipalities
Wayne Metro Community Action Agency
City of Detroit
Samaritas
Catholic Charities
Focus: HOPE
The Work Department
Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
Ballmer Group
Moonsail North
Fiserv
DTE
Lakeshore Legal Aid