Durham County Social Services (DSS) Emergency Rental Assistance Program

About the Program

Category: County Administration and Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

On January 5, 2021, the U.S. Department of the Treasury launched the $25 billion Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)​. ERAP assisted households unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ​The funds were provided directly to states and local governments as  “eligible grantees”.  Durham’s ERAP program, administered by the County, included direct allocations from both the City and the County, which had been combined.   ​ Launched in May of 2021, Durham ERAP provided residents with assistance regarding their rent and utility payments affected by Covid-19. This was in the form of payments directly to vendors for past due rent, future rent, deposits, past due utilities, future utilities, and past due and future internet for households that met program criteria. The success of the program was based on performance measurements of the effective handling of applications, preventing evictions, and prioritizing assistance to vulnerable households based on Area Median Income and long-term unemployment. From May 2021 through February 2022 more than 7500 applications were reviewed. ERAP funds of over $19.6 million were paid to landlords on behalf of clients to keep more than 3500 households in their homes.