I’m a Renter
ATTENTION! The Memphis & Shelby County Emergency Rental Assistance Program is no longer accepting applications.
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Who is eligible?
This program is only for renters residing in Shelby County, Tennessee (including Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland, Memphis, and Millington). You must demonstrate all of the following to be eligible:
- Someone in the household had a financial loss due to COVID-19.
- You are past due on your rent or utilities.
- Your household income is under 80% of the county’s median income.
Applicants do not need to prove citizenship and social security numbers are not required.
What is Emergency Rental Assistance?
This program provided past due rent and utility assistance to qualified renters in Shelby County.
how can I check my application status?
If you already completed an application and want to check your application status, log in to the portal to view your status.
where can I get help?
- Call 211
- Visit our resource section to view other programs that may be able to assist you.
- Check your application status here.
- Learn what each status means here.
what IF I’M FACING EVICTION?
If you have a court eviction, please visit our eviction assistance page.
Additional Housing Community Resources
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Call 211 or visit LINC/Memphis Public Libraries for free access to community resources
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Community Services Agency – Mortgage, rent and utility assistance
- Tennessee Housing Development Agency – Rent Relief
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Catholic Charities of West Tennessee – Emergency assistance and housing services
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Greater Financial Empowerment Center – Free financial counseling
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Tennessee Housing Development Agency or BLDG Memphis – List of approved housing counselors with the state
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Memphis Area Legal Services – Free legal advice and representation
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MIFA – Rental and utility assistance
Homeowner Resources
- COVID-19 Mortgage Relief Program – Mortgage Assistance
- Alcy Ball Development Corp – Financial Management, Budget Counseling
- Frayser Community Development Corp – Financial Management, Budget Counseling, Foreclosure Prevention Counseling, Default Resolution Counseling, Mortgage Delinquency
- Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center – Financial Counseling
- NID Housing Counseling Agency – Financial Management, Budget Counseling, Foreclosure Prevention Counseling, Default Resolution Counseling, Mortgage Delinquency, Landlord/Tenant Counseling
- Operation Hope – Financial Management, Budget Counseling, Foreclosure Prevention Counseling
- Shelby County COVID-19 Mortgage and Utility Assistance
- Tennessee Housing Development Agency – Foreclosure Prevention Counseling
- Tennessee Homeowner Assistance Fund
- United Housing – Servicios En Espanol, Foreclosure Counseling, Post Purchase Homeowner Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find additional Emergency Rental Assistance?
How do I check my application status?
How will payments be received?
Payments will be made directly to MLGW and landlords or tenants.
How much funding could I receive?
Funding is determined based upon need. There is no cap and people can receive up to 12 months of past due rent and utility assistance.
What if I’m facing eviction?
Approved applicants facing eviction will be prioritized for rental assistance and will be paired with free legal assistance. Lawyers will attempt to settle rental arrearages with applicant’s landlord. If landlords agree to participate in the program, the program will make a payment directly to the landlord to settle the eviction case.
Can I receive funding for future rent?
Yes, eligible applicants can receive up to 2 months of future rent.
What does my landlord need to do to accept payments?
As a condition for receiving rental payments, landlord must agree either in writing through the eviction court process or in the Neighborly portal when completing a landlord application not to evict their tenant based upon the past due rent that is being paid by the program. Other details and the form agreement is available with the landlord application.
How will the City/County learn from the impact of the program?
The City of Memphis and Shelby County are conducting a careful evaluation of the program to follow the impact of providing rent and utility relief. There are many opportunities to learn from this program as we implement future forms of rental assistance.
Who are the current partners assisting the City and County with this program?
Shelby County Division of Community Services, City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development, Neighborhood Preservation, Inc., the University of Memphis Law School Legal Clinic, Memphis Area Legal Services, Metropolitan Interfaith Association (MIFA), United Housing, Inc., United Way of the Mid-South, Innovate Memphis and LINC/211.
What if I am behind on my mortgage due to COVID-19?
Based on the US Department of Treasury Guidelines, the ERA Program cannot provide direct assistance to resident who are homeowners. For mortgage assistance, please visit the State of Tennessee’s website to review and apply to the Tennessee Homeowner Assistance Fund (TNHAF).
Mortgage assistance is also available for Shelby County (non-City of Memphis) residents through the Shelby County COVID-19 Mortgage and Utility Assistance Program.
What if I’m facing eviction but not due to COVID-19?
These programs are designed to provide assistance to individuals and families who are facing eviction as a direct result of the global pandemic. We wish you and your family nothing but the best, and we are sorry that we cannot assist you at this time. Please see the eviction resources under Additional Resources for other agencies that may be able to provide assistance.
I have an eviction court date – Where do I go and what do I need to say if I’m approved for the ERA?
If you have a court date, it is very important to go to court on the date listed on the Detainer Warrant or Notice from the court.
- Location is General Sessions Court – Shelby County Civil Courthouse: 140 Adams Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, street/ground floor.
- Get to court at least 45 minutes before the time your case is scheduled. There is an electronic “docket board” at the corner of the two hallways leading to the divisions of the General Sessions Court. Find the division where your case is set by searching for your name (Defendant) or your landlord’s name (Plaintiff). You can also find the division where your case is set for that day by visiting the court clerk’s office in Room 106. Locate the room (Division) your case is in and arrive at least 15 minutes before the time your case is set. The cases move very quickly so it is extremely important that you be present before your case is called.
- When the judge calls your name, stand up and request a continuance (a two-week extension). Tell the judge that you have applied to, and heard back from, the Eviction Settlement Program, and need time to get a decision as to whether the program can assist you. If anything changes, please email us updates! If you are able to get your court date extended, please reply to this email with your case number, your new court date, and any documents that you have.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO NOT SHOW UP FOR COURT?
If you aren’t present when your case is called, the judge will likely rule against you and a judgment will be entered in favor of the landlord. If a judgment is entered against you, it will be final after 10 calendar days (including weekends). This means that ten days after your court date, your landlord can legally remove you and your belongings from the home. If you know a judgment has been entered against you, contact help@mscera.org as soon as possible with your case number.
I was approved for the ERA and my landlord was asked to give payment information, but gave me an eviction notice after receiving my documents for pay. What are my options?
Let your landlord know that you have been approved to receive assistance and that your landlord will be contacted by an assigned attorney to negotiate the settlement payment. If you believe you received an eviction notice after payment was made to your landlord, please provide us an update by replying to this email and include your case number, court date, and any relevant documents.
Ensure your landlord has applied to the program at https://home901.org/covid-resources/ and has uploaded the required documents, including your ledger showing the amount of money you owe and the landlord’s W-9.
I was approved for ERA, but my landlord keeps calling about payments/threatening me/saying I need to vacate. What do I tell them?
Instruct your landlord to email the Emergency Rental Assistance program at intake@mscera.org or call 211 for information regarding the payment to settle of your rental arrears.
- Inform your landlord that you have been approved to receive assistance and that an assigned attorney will be contacting him to negotiate the terms of the settlement agreement.
- You should understand that your landlord may not agree to accept funds from ERA and allow you to remain in your home. If you have received a Forcible Entry and Detainer Warrant you should begin to make alternative plans in the event a settlement cannot be reached with your landlord. Also, make sure that you go to court on every court date (see above – re: not showing up in court).
I was approved for the ERA, but my landlord is in the process of evicting me. What do I do?
Ensure that your landlord is aware that you have been approved by the ERA program to receive assistance and that your assigned attorney will be reaching out your landlord to negotiate the settlement of your rental arrears.
If you receive any notices from the court that provide a court date, please reply to this email and provide your case number, your court date, and any relevant documents that you have.
Can you give me a document to show in court that I applied for ERA Assistance?
Print off the email you received after you applied to the program and provide it to the court at your next hearing.
Remember that when the judge calls your name, stand up and request a continuance (a two-week extension). Provide the court a copy of the email you received and tell the judge that have been approved by the program to receive assistance and that the program intends to contact your landlord to negotiate the payment of your rental arrears.