Rental Assistance

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is partnering with the U.S. Department of Treasury to encourage tenants and landlords to take advantage of the Emergency Rental Assistance program (ERA) available through the American Rescue Plan Act. The rental assistance under ERA will help cover rent, utilities, and other housing costs to keep residents in their homes.

The American Rescue Act Plan Act also includes $4.5 billion in additional Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding to help families and individuals with low incomes afford home heating and cooling costs, including help with paying bills, repairing or replacing heating/cooling equipment, and possibly weatherizing homes to lower bills.

ACF is also administering over $1 billion in funding to assist low-income households with drinking water and wastewater bills through the newly established Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). LIHWAP provides payments directly to public water utility providers, on behalf of low-income households, to reduce arrearages and rates paid for drinking water and wastewater services. Likewise, customers can get help with water bills from both LIHWAP and ERA. Visit https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/programs/lihwap for additional information. We anticipate LIHWAP grantees will begin administering benefits this fall. To download the flyers below in .pdf format click on the button below.