Wyoming was allocated $352 million in federal funding to help eligible Wyoming households struggling to make rent, internet and/or utility payments and provide housing stability services. The Wyoming Department of Family Services, with assistance from the Department of Workforce Services, is administering the state’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), a U.S. Treasury initiative passed through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and expanded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Governor Gordon signed an Executive Order in February 2021 directing the Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS) to create the administrative infrastructure for the program so that funds could be distributed quickly upon passage of this authorizing legislation. During the 2021 general session, the Wyoming Legislature passed Senate File 118, which authorized DFS to administer the program. Governor Gordon signed the bill into law on April 21.
A multi-agency Steering Committee has helped create a platform that will quickly process household applications and eligible payments. The Steering Committee includes: Department of Family Services, Department of Workforce Services, EnterpriseTechnology Services, Attorney General’s Office, Administration and Information, Budget Office, Governor’s Office, State Auditor’s Office, Wyoming Public Service Commission, Wyoming Business Council and Wyoming Community Development Authority.
ERAP has the potential to help many Wyoming renters. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, an estimated 23,515 Wyoming renters may be eligible for this financial assistance, spending more than 30% of their income on rent.
ERAP Fraud Reporting Form
Getting eligible Wyoming residents rental assistance is very important to us, but we also need to make sure the money is going to the right people. Wyoming has implemented reasonable security protocols for each application to protect our state and its coffers against any future audits and to avoid future federal demands for repayment. Additionally, we have created a form to report suspected fraud. (Click here for the form)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Latest News & Press Releases
- Additional Assistance: For information on other assistance that may be available in your area, please continue to contact Wyoming 211 by dialing 2-1-1.
- Tribal ERAP: For information about the Eastern Shoshone ERAP, please click here. For questions about the Eastern Shoshone ERAP only, please call 307-332-5832 or leave a message on ESHA Facebook Messenger at www.facebook.com/ESHA82514. For information about the Northern Arapaho ERAP, please click here.
- Recordings of Past Virtual Town Halls and Meetings: Click here
- Governor’s Executive Order: On February 8, 2021, Governor Gordon signed Executive Order 2021-02 directing the Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS) to begin planning to implement the ERAP.
- Senate File 118/ Chapter 166: During the 2021 general session, the Wyoming Legislature passed SF 118 Federal emergency COVID-19 relief funding, which authorizes DFS to administer ERAP. Governor Gordon signed the bill on April 21, 2021
- CDC eviction moratorium: The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the CDC’s eviction moratorium on Thursday, August 26.
- U.S. Treasury Guidance: ERAP is a U.S. Treasury initiative passed through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and expanded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
- ERAP Prioritization Policy: Can be found here.
