Emergency Rental Assistance
UPDATE (MAY 2, 2022): Richland County resumed processing existing Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) applications Monday, March 28 for eligible applicants in the review queue.
Applications will be reviewed by application and priority status, in accordance with U.S. Treasury guidelines, for as long as funding is available.
Applicants: You are encouraged to monitor your email and be prepared to update your information in the participant portal here. For application assistance, please contact the County’s call center: 855-216-9198, or email the ERAP team: erap.richlandcounty.sc@tetratech.com.
We are unable to open the process to new applicants at this time.
Helpful links (PDF format)
Background
The U.S. Department of Treasury awarded Richland County Government $12.5 million to help local households unable to pay rent and utilities because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding was made available through ERA (ERAP), which was enacted in December 2020.
Through ERA2, a similar federal program enacted in March 2021, the County received another $9.9 million to continue supporting renters at risk of eviction.
To date, the County has approved more than $17 million in aid for residents through ERA and ERA2.
For City of Columbia renters
Renters who live within City of Columbia limits may apply for the City’s COVID relief grant program through The Cooperative Ministry (803-799-3853). Applicants for assistance must:
- Live within the Columbia city limits
- Be facing eviction or utility service interruption (assistance cannot be used to pay for City-owned utility services)
- Demonstrate that their financial hardship is a direct result of income lost because of the pandemic