Emergency Rental Assistance – Eviction Prevention Program

Program Purpose

The purpose of the Program is to provide eviction prevention assistance to eligible tenants to help prevent evictions and keep households that rent stably housed. The program seeks to:

  • Prevent evictions through strengthening housing stability through financial assistance, legal representation, case management, counseling, and accessing coordinated funding;
  • Collect data to better gauge the scope of the current eviction crisis to inform in the creation of policy solutions; and,
  • Build community education and awareness around the need of affordable housing and eviction prevention in our community.


Program Administrators - Who Can Apply?

Program funds will be awarded through a set-aside and a competitive application process to nonprofit entities (“Grantees”) with existing Eviction Prevention Programs, including, but not limited to, Community Action Agencies (“CAA”), Housing Counseling Agencies, Legal Aid Societies, and other qualified nonprofit agencies.

The Grantees will be responsible for making the Program assistance immediately available to very low-income households who rent housing within Tennessee and are facing eviction, are at risk of homelessness, or require assistance to maintain or obtain housing.

ERA-EPP Program Application information is available in the links below.


Tenant Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet the income and the following program criteria to receive assistance through the Program:

a. Submit a complete Eviction Prevention application
b. Provide the appropriate supporting documentation to verify income limit
c. Meet the household income limit of 50% AMI or less
d. Is or has been a tenant of a unit that is located within Tennessee within the past six months
e. Is or will be obligated to pay rent under a lease or agreement for such unit and
f. Be at risk of eviction, which is documented by an eviction notice, order of eviction, or past due rent statement or one or more individuals within the household has qualified for unemployment benefits AND can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, which may be documented by providing:
1. Proof of cost burden (30% or more of their income is paid towards rent)and
2. Is delinquent on a Water, Electric, or Gas utility bill or any other evidence of such risk, as determined or approved by THDA.

Tenant Eligible Program Costs

The eligible costs for the Program include, but are not limited to:

a. Rental assistance:
1. For delinquent rental arrearages. Participants may only receive up to 24 months of assistance.
2. For prospective rent. Participants may only receive two months of perspective months.
b. Late fees
c. Security deposits (first and last month’s rent)
d. Utility deposits for Water, Electric, or Gas services
e. Disconnection fees
f. Reconnection fees
g. Landlord-Tenant mediation costs
h. Tenant legal services related to eviction proceedings and maintaining housing stability
i. Court costs related to eviction proceedings and maintaining housing stability
j. Relocation costs
k. Rental application fees
l. Case management costs; and
m. Budgeting or financial counseling costs.

Applications will be accepted through THDA’s Electronic Document Transfer (“EDT”) portal as of 9:00 AM CST on February 10, 2023 and must be received by THDA on or before 4:00 PM CST on March 10, 2023. THDA anticipates notifying successful applicants by March 29, 2023.

ERA-EPP Program Application and Information:


Need more information?

Please contact THDA's Community Programs division ERA-EPP@thda.org.