Vermont
Emergency
Rental
Assistance
Program
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Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Overview
We understand too many Vermonters continue to struggle from the economic impacts of the pandemic. Our goal is to support these continued challenges as we approach more normalcy in the days ahead.
Our Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Program’s (VERAP) mission is to help alleviate income pressure on tenants and landlords and restore stability to the rental community. We want to help empower eligible tenants and their landlords to work together to improve, rebuild and transform their communities and their lives for the better.
The program will offer relief for rent in arrears and ongoing rent payments, utility payments in arrears and ongoing, and other expenses related to housing. (money to move; rent into court and health and safety repairs)
The following FAQs will help tenants, landlords, and community partners answer questions and determine applicant eligibility.
What is VERAP?
The Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Program (VERAP) was created to help renters dealing with financial challenges related to the pandemic. For eligible households, the program offers rental and utility assistance to help Vermonters avoid eviction or loss of utility service. ERAP was established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021.
What does VERAP include?
VERAP helps tenant households with paying rent, past-due rent balances (also known as arrears), utility and home energy costs, utility and home energy cost arrears, and other expenses related to housing. Rent expenses include rent, rent arrears. Utilities include separately stated electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash removal and energy costs, such as fuel oil.
Eligibility
Who is eligible for VERAP?
- Must be obligated to pay rent on a residential dwelling in Vermont.
- 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 due to the pandemic.
- You’re able to demonstrate risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
- The household has an income at or below 80% of area median income (AMI) Vermont Income Limits.
What are the benefits?
- Rent & Rent Arrears from 04/2020 forward (maximum 18 months)
- Utility Bills Current and Arrears from 04/2020 (maximum 18 months per utility)
- OERTH – Money to Move; Rent Into Court; Health and Safety Repairs
What documentation is needed?
Tenants Need:
- 2020 or 2021 Annual Income (tax forms, W2, etc)
- Current pay stubs (last 1 month)
- Unemployment Compensation Benefits letter (if applicable)
- Documentation for other income sources (Social Security or Disability, Child Support, Alimony, Pension as applicable)
- Lease or rental agreement or letter of attestation from landlord
- Eviction notice (If applicable)
- Legal Name of your landlord
Having Trouble Applying?
Please don’t get discouraged!
If you need assistance with the application process, community partners are available to help.
Click here to find the community partner agency nearest you.
Thank you for your patience as we continue to make improvements to this program and user experience.
