COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program (CHAP)

Alternate Name: CHAP

Organization: DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)

THIS HAS BEEN REPLACED BY ERAP.

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has developed the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program (CHAP), a $6.2 million program funded by the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) offering rental assistance to low-income renters who are in arrears. Tenants must earn 80% of the Median Family Income (MFI) or below based on the COVID-19 Income & Rent Schedule. Financial assistance will be based on income and household size. Assistance can be applied for rent from April 2020 onward for up to three months of overdue rent depending on available funds—eligible applicants may be able to apply for an additional 3 months for a total of 6 months of rental assistance. Interested applicants are asked to fill out intake information by going to the central intake portal for emergency rental assistance.
Application: For step by step application instructions, visit https://coronavirus.dc.gov/node/1483516 Eligibility Tenants must be District residents who have resided in their unit since February 29, 2020. Tenant must demonstrate they are delinquent on rent. Tenants must earn 80% of the Median Family Income (MFI) or below based on the COVID-19 Income & Rent Schedule.* Tenant must demonstrate that they have been impacted by COVID-19. How to Apply Interested applicants are asked to fill out intake information by going to the central intake portal for emergency rental assistance: https://octo.quickbase.com/db/bfpwsjvi2?a=nwr. Applicants will then be routed to one of the following three community-based organizations (CBOs) – the Greater Washington Urban League, Housing Counseling Services and United Planning Organization. The CBOs will take applications, certify income and make payments to approved applicants by appointment only. Please contact any organization with questions on the program and application process.