The federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury), provides direct funding to states and eligible units of local governments, including counties with populations of over 200,000, to assist families struggling to make rental and utility payments.

The first round of Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA1) award funds are available to provide financial assistance and housing stability services to eligible households through September 30, 2022, and may not be used to cover eligible expenses for any period beyond that date. Treasury may extend the period of performance to December 29, 2022, for ERA1 award funds grantees received through reallocation. Treasury is expected to release more information soon, but the period of performance for each grantee’s initial ERA1 allocation will remain September 30, 2022, regardless of any extension for reallocated funds.

Grantees must submit all final financial, performance and other reports as required by the ERA1 Award Terms no later than 120 calendar days after the end date of the period of performance. Grantees may only charge administrative costs to the ERA1 award after September 30, 2022 (or December 29, 2022, for reallocated funds upon the grant of an extension). Subrecipients must submit all their final financial, performance, and other reports to the ERA grantees no later than 90 calendar days after the end date of the period of performance.

Treasury is currently developing additional closeout guidance that should be published and made available soon. NACo has established an Emergency Rental Assistance Program Resource Hub with additional implementation, administration and reporting guidance.