Having trouble paying or receiving rent? MSHDA has federal funds available to help tenants facing pandemic-related hardships avoid eviction while also ensuring landlords can recoup owed rent through the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program. MSHDA administers CERA through its statewide network of local nonprofit agencies. We encourage everyone who is eligible to apply today and take advantage of a program that can help restore housing stability.
The tenant or landlord can initiate the online application process. The tenant or landlord will need to enter the tenant's name, address and email address, and the landlord's email address. This will initiate emails to both the tenant and landlord for them to complete their portion of the application. Service agencies will communicate via email with the tenant and landlord if additional information is needed. The tenant and landlord will receive notice via email when the case is processed and how much funding has been approved.
In a few weeks, the application will be updated so the landlord can complete all "Tenant" and "Landlord" application fields and uploads, and the tenant will receive an email to confirm the application is true and correct.
CERA serves renter households that have incomes less than 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) who meet the following conditions:
Type of COVID Hardship |
Best Documents to Show Proof |
Alternate Documents to Show Proof |
A member of my household qualified for unemployment after March 13, 2020 |
Unemployment Monetary Determination Letter OR screen shots from unemployment website showing payments and person's name |
Signed letter from applicant stating the time period they received unemployment benefits |
A member of my household has had a 10% reduction in income after March 13, 2020 |
Signed letter from applicant outlining your original hours and pay rate and reduced hours and pay rate during the COVID outbreak |
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A member of my household has incurred significant costs (over $500) after March 13, 2020 |
Signed letter from applicant stating what type and amounts of increased expenses the household incurred during the COVID outbreak |
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A member of my household experienced other financial hardship (over $500) after March 13, 2020 |
Signed letter from applicant stating what type of financial hardship they occurred during the COVID outbreak |
Landlords will need to provide:
Yes, eligible households for CERA can receive utility assistance for tenant supplied electricity, home heating (any type of fuel), water, sewer and trash (if billed along with another utility).
Utility Assistance
Household Size |
Maximum Total One Time Utility Payment |
Maximum Future Utility Payment as a Credit |
1-2 persons |
$1,500 |
$300 |
3-4 persons |
$2,000 |
$500 |
5+ persons |
$2,500 |
$500 |
Tenants up to 50% AMI are eligible for an additional $500 if needed to fully pay utility arrears.
Yes, the program limit is 150% of the HUD Fair Market Rent based on your home size and county.
Yes, a flat $300 internet stipend is available for households that have home internet and include a recent internet bill/statement in their application package. The $300 payment will be made to either the Internet service provider or the tenant.