Eviction, Rent, And Utility Payment Help is Available

The COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (CERA) has closed to NEW applications as of 9PM June 30, 2022.

Detroit CERA providers will continue processing rental assistance applications for those who applied before the deadline until all financial assistance funding has been spent. There may be more applications submitted than funds available, so having applied before June 30, 2022, does not guarantee that you will receive rental assistance. CERA funds cannot be used for rent payments that are due after September 30.

Please continue paying rent if you are able. CERA rental assistance does not prevent future evictions. See application instructions below for the Wayne County Emergency Rental Assistance Program or the Rapid Jobs information if you need additional support.

Check your CERA Application Status:

Check the status of your application by visiting https://ceraapp.michigan.gov/ and clicking “Check App Status”.

  • Once on the CERA application page, scroll down to “Check App Status” and click the link.
  • You will need to enter your date of birth, last name, and CERA #, or, if you are a landlord, that of your tenants.
  • Click “submit.”
  • You will be given a status update. The status explanation can be found on the right-hand side of the webpage, or below if you are on your phone.
  • Incomplete tenant applications will not show a status, even if you have a CERA ID #. If you have a CERA ID # and no status shows up, you need to follow the steps below and apply to Wayne County ERAP.

CERA Applicants with Eviction Cases:

You MUST show up to all virtual court hearings if your eviction case is in court, even if you have applied for CERA assistance, and even if you have received CERA funding.

If you missed the CERA application deadline, the Wayne County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is still open:

For those who were unable to apply through the CERA Program, the Wayne County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is still accepting applications. Applicants seeking rental assistance may receive an award from only one program (either the Wayne County ERAP program or the State of Michigan CERA program. You cannot receive rental assistance from both).

How to apply for the Wayne County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP):

1. Online at www.waynecounty.com/rentalassistance

2. Or, call the Wayne County dedicated Call Center at (833)742-1513 during regular business hours.

If you do not have a safe place to sleep for the night and need emergency shelter, call CAM at 313-305-0311.

PRIORITIZATION OF HOUSEHOLDS

The federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program requires a prioritization of assistance for households with incomes less than 50% of area median income or households with one or more individuals that have not been employed for the 90-day period preceding the date of application. MSHDA has implemented this prioritization by reserving 70% of CERA program funds for these households as well as allowing the full 18-months of assistance. Households that are not within this priority group are only eligible for 16-months of assistance.