News – Sheridan Media
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will stop accepting new applications and letters of intent on Thursday, November 10 in anticipation of running out of federal funds by early spring. According to a media release from the Wyoming Department of Family Services, the changes will only impact individuals who have not previously received ERAP. The program will continue to fund extension requests for enrolled and eligible households for the time being.
Wyoming received its second allocation of $45.6 million in assistance, housing support, and administration funds from the U.S. Department of Treasury on Sept. 29. Wyoming may still be eligible to receive additional federal funds; however, that will not be confirmed until early next year. If awarded more funds, the program will reevaluate the current rental-related needs and determine the best use of those dollars within the federal program guidelines. Local services through the community based organizations (CBO) participating in ERAP are expected to continue through June 2023 when their contracts end.
Demand for the program has grown beyond its initial slow start. The program has been receiving an average of 166 applications a day. Since its launch in April 2021, ERAP has helped 13,591 Wyoming households with a total of $63.34 million in assistance. Of the total assistance payments, $49.5 million went to landlords, $10.09 million to households, $3.6 million to utilities and moving expenses are $26,369. County specific information can be found here.
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Last modified: October 22, 2022