On Dec. 12, Chester County's Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) released new eligibility guidelines to support individuals and families facing court-ordered eviction, a utility shutoff, or a need for security deposits to secure permanent affordable housing. Since the start of ERAP, Chester County has allocated more than $30.5 million for nearly 3,000 households in need of emergency rental and utility assistance, with $13 million remaining to support individuals and families who meet the new guidelines.

Chester County's ERAP program was introduced in January 2021, funded by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, to help cover emergency rental and utility bills for those who were severely impacted by the pandemic. Chester County's Department of Community Development partners with four organizations - Human Services Inc., Friends Association, Brandywine Valley Active Aging, and Oxford Area Neighborhood Services - to administer and allocate the local funds.

To access Chester County's ERAP, call 211 or 866-964-7922 and follow prompts 2, 2 and 2; text your zip code to 898-211; email info@211sepa.org; or speak with an agent at https://211sepa.org.