Georgia Rental Assistance Program (2023 Update)

As the state of Georgia continues its recovery from the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of Georgians are still grappling with rental debt and the fear of evictions. To address this pressing issue, the government established the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, providing much-needed relief to households struggling to pay rent and utilities.

In Georgia, the state government launched the Georgia Rental Assistance Program (GRA) to distribute the ERA funds to those in need.

In this blog post, we will explore the key aspects of the GRA program and its impact on Georgians facing housing instability.

About Georgia Rental Assistance Program (GRA)

The Georgia Rental Assistance Program (GRA) is a crucial initiative aimed at mitigating the financial burden experienced by tenants and landlords since the start of the pandemic on March 13, 2020.

The program received $989 million from the U.S. Treasury’s Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program, facilitating rental and utility payments along with associated expenses.

Administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the program commenced in March 2021, offering direct financial assistance to eligible applicants for up to 18 months.

Georgia Rental Assistance Eligibility

To be eligible for GRA, individuals must meet certain criteria.

Applicants must demonstrate qualification for unemployment benefits or show that they have experienced financial hardships directly or indirectly linked to COVID-19 since March 13, 2020.

Additionally, they must prove a risk of homelessness or housing instability and have a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median income (AMI).

To apply for GRA, tenants are required to provide:

Identification (State ID or passport)
Income documents for all adults in the household (aged 18 and older)
Past due rent notices or utility bills
A copy of the lease
Evidence of unemployment eligibility or a reduction in income due to the pandemic.

Rental Assistance Distribution by County

The GRA program has had a significant impact on households throughout Georgia.

Since its inception, more than $288 million in rental assistance has been distributed to qualified Georgians from two federal funds: Emergency Rental Assistance 1 and 2.

Additionally, the DCA voluntarily reallocated $237.8 million to rental assistance programs in various cities and counties, including Augusta, Savannah, Atlanta, Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Henry, Gwinnett, Clayton, and Hall counties.

This voluntary reallocation allowed these programs to continue assisting applicants despite previously depleted funds.

Is Georgia still providing rental assistance?

As of now, GRA accepts applications only for eviction prevention services through Atlanta Legal Aid and Georgia Legal Services Program.

New tenant applications are not accepted through the GRA portal.

Pending applications will be processed based on order received and U.S. Treasury guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about the GRA

Here are the most frequently asked questions and answers about the Georgia Rental Assistance Program (GRA).

How much financial assistance does the GRA program provide?

The GRA program offers significant financial assistance to eligible applicants.

Qualified individuals may receive up to 18 months of rental, utility, and housing stability support.

This assistance can play a crucial role in helping households overcome the burden of rental debt and maintain stable housing.

Is the program only available for COVID-related hardships?

Indeed, the GRA program includes two distinct funds: ERA1 and ERA2. ERA1 mainly targets COVID-19 related financial hardships, while ERA2 considers non-COVID-related hardships.

Consequently, a broader range of individuals can access rental assistance and housing stability support through ERA2, expanding the program’s reach.

What will happen when the ERA1 program funds are exhausted?

The GRA program has been operating with the ERA1 funds allocated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Disbursements of ERA1 program funds will come to an end either when the funds are completely depleted or by a specified date, which is September 30, 2022.

After this point, the program will continue utilizing ERA2 funds to provide assistance to eligible applicants.

What percentage of applications has been denied?

Approximately 60% of the applications received under the GRA program have been denied.

The reasons for denial may vary and could include factors such as eligibility criteria not being met, incomplete documentation, or other circumstances that do not meet the program’s requirements.

However, for those whose applications are denied, it is essential to explore alternative options and seek additional support from local resources.

Summary – Georgia Rental Assistance Program

Here’s the bottom line about the Georgia Rental Assistance Program:

The Georgia Rental Assistance Program (GRA) has been a lifeline for thousands of Georgians during COVID-19 financial hardships.

GRA distributed federal funds through ERA1 and ERA2 programs, helping with rental, utility, and housing stability, preventing evictions.

New tenant applications are not accepted now, but GRA’s impact remains significant statewide.

Questions?

We hope this post on the Georgia Rental Assistance Program was helpful.

If you have further questions about Georgia Rental Assistance, Georgia SNAP or EBT Card, please let us know in the comments section below.

Also, be sure to check out our other articles about Georgia SNAP and EBT, including:

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