Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program
The Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) provided emergency rental and utility assistance to Louisiana renters who were at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability because of financial impacts from COVID-19. The program also helped property owners who were struggling to collect rent due to the pandemic.
Seven parishes received direct allocations from the Treasury Department and administered their own programs—Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans and St. Tammany.
The state-administered program was funded through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The Treasury Department issued $569 million to Louisiana, from which $129 million went directly to the seven parishes administering their own rental assistance programs, and the state re-allocated an additional $229 million to the seven parishes.
The program launched in March 2021 and expended more than $157 million in funding to residents in 57 parishes, including more than $9 million in utility payments, with all funds disbursed by April 2023.
Reporting Highlights
28,900+ Residents
received assistance throughout 57 parishes
$129 Million
directly allocated to the seven parishes administering their own programs
$229 Million
of state funding re-allocated to seven parishes, representing approximately half of the state's total population