U.S. Dept. of Treasury Releases Revised ERA Guidance

On Monday, February 22nd, the United States Department of the Treasury (Treasury) released a revised frequently asked questions (FAQ) document for the implementation of the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program that was  created in the year-end federal stimulus package. The guidance includes some of the following provisions:

• Updates the original FAQ issued by the Treasury by allowing grantees to use self-attestations to verify income and other eligibility requirements.
• Details the definition of "other expenses," which allows ERA dollars to be used for expenses related to housing incurred due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 outbreak. The definition now includes relocation expenses, rental fees, accrued late fees and home internet expenses.
• Allows for eligible applicants that receive Housing Choice Vouchers or other federal housing subsidies to use ERA assistance for the unsubsidized portions of their rent and utility payments. 

Massachusetts received a total ERA allocation of $457,129,720.30. Of this total, the City of Boston received $20,670,810.00, Plymouth County received $15,555,396.40, and the State received $420,903,513.90.