WASHINGTON – D.C.’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) closed its application portal on Nov. 20, 2024, after reaching capacity. Meanwhile, the D.C. Council passed emergency legislation rolling back COVID-era protections, allowing landlords to proceed with evictions even if tenants have applied for aid.
ERAP was created to support low-income residents facing housing emergencies, but two COVID-19 policy changes have made it unsustainable. Applications granted automatic eviction protection regardless of eligibility and applicants no longer needed to prove low-income status. As a result, the program struggles to fulfill its original purpose, making it less effective in helping those who need it most.
“This non-payment of rent has contributed to an eightfold increase of yearly unpaid expenses, from $1.8 million in 2019 to $14 million in 2024,” Director of Policy & Research, Emilia Calma wrote for the D.C. Policy Center.
City leaders argue that the new law is necessary to sustain affordable housing.
Chairman Phil Mendelson wrote a bill called the Emergency Rental Assistance Reform Emergency Amendment Act of 2024. A situational update shared that affordable housing providers operate on tight margins.
The rising costs of essentials such as utilities and insurance, combined with a 20% delinquency rate (the percentage of loans or debts that are overdue) are creating significant financial pressures for landlords and property managers.
These challenges are particularly pronounced in Wards 7 and 8, jeopardizing property maintenance, security and long-term sustainability.
“Caution should be used in comparing data across years due to changes in legislation that have occurred during the given timeframe,” said Doug Buchanan, Director of Media and Public Relations for D.C. Courts.
In 2023, The District Court Landlord and Tenant Branch recorded nearly 9,000 conviction cases, accounting for lease violations, non-payment of rent, foreclosure and squatting.
“It is important to understand that lease violations can be any event [or] action that violates the terms of the specific lease associated with the case,” Buchanan said. “It can be as simple as having a dog over a certain size to more serious violations.”
Since ERAP’s closing, district residents needing emergency housing assistance have been redirected to the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center (VWFRC).
Mayor Bowser released a proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget of $21 Billion, The District shared that they would invest “over $780 million to create and preserve affordable housing and assist individuals and families facing homelessness.”
Morghan Manuel is a reporter for HUNewsService.com.
