Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Program (VERAP): A Complete Guide to Applying

Important Notice (Updated 2026): The Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Program (VERAP) is permanently closed to new applications. The program stopped accepting new applications in late 2022, and the VSHA portals closed on January 12, 2024. If you need rental assistance in Vermont today, see the Current Rental Assistance Alternatives section below. This article is preserved as a historical reference for those who previously received VERAP aid or are researching the program.

Table of Contents#

What Was the Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Program (VERAP)?
VERAP Eligibility Criteria (Historical)
What Expenses Did VERAP Cover?
- Covered Expenses
- Excluded Expenses
How VERAP Applications Worked (Historical)
Current Rental Assistance Alternatives in Vermont (2026)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Conclusion
References

1. What Was the Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Program (VERAP)?#

VERAP was a state-administered program funded by federal ERA dollars from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to assist Vermont renters experiencing financial hardship during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Its primary goal was to prevent evictions by covering rental and utility arrears (past-due amounts) and providing short-term support for future housing costs. Administered by the Vermont State Housing Authority (VSHA), VERAP was designed to be accessible, with applications available online, by mail, or in person through Community Action Agencies.

The program launched in 2021, served over 12,600 Vermont households, and began winding down in late 2022 when the Scott administration announced an end to new applications. The program fully closed on January 12, 2024, when the VSHA portals shut down. Federal ERA funding has been exhausted, and no new federal allocations are expected for this specific program.

2. VERAP Eligibility Criteria (Historical)#

To qualify for VERAP, applicants had to meet several key requirements. Below is a breakdown of the eligibility criteria as they existed during the program's operation:

Residency Requirements#

You had to be a current Vermont resident, living in a rental unit within the state.
The rental unit had to be your primary residence (not a vacation home or investment property).

Income Limits#

Your household income had to be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Vermont. AMI is updated annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and varies by household size and county. For reference, here are the FY 2026 80% AMI limits for the Burlington-South Burlington, VT MSA (effective May 1, 2026):

1-person household: Up to $69,850
2-person household: Up to $79,800
3-person household: Up to $89,800
4-person household: Up to $99,750
(Note: AMI limits vary by county. For the full statewide chart, visit the HUD Income Limits page.)

Financial Hardship#

Applicants had to demonstrate a financial hardship caused by:

Job loss or reduced work hours
Medical emergencies or unexpected healthcare costs
Caregiving responsibilities (e.g., for a sick family member)
Increased housing or utility costs
Other crises (e.g., natural disasters, domestic violence)

During the program's operation, hardship generally had to have occurred on or after March 13, 2020 (the start of the COVID-19 national emergency), or be related to a subsequent emergency. The federal COVID-19 national emergency ended on May 11, 2023.

Rental Status#

A valid lease or rental agreement was required (oral agreements could be accepted with additional documentation).
The applicant had to be at risk of eviction (e.g., have past-due rent) or unable to afford upcoming rent/utility payments.
The rental unit could not be owner-occupied (i.e., the tenant could not rent from a family member who lived in the same home).

Citizenship/Immigration Status#

VERAP was available to:

U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Non-citizens with eligible immigration status (e.g., DACA recipients, refugees, asylum seekers)
Households with mixed immigration status (e.g., some members are citizens, others are not)

3. What Expenses Did VERAP Cover?#

Covered Expenses#

VERAP provided funds for:

Past-due rent: Up to 12 months of arrears (back rent)
Future rent: Up to 3 months of upcoming rent (if at risk of homelessness)
Utilities: Electric, gas, water, sewage, and internet (if essential for work, school, or healthcare)
Late fees: Up to 5% of monthly rent (only if included in the lease)

Excluded Expenses#

VERAP did not cover:

Security deposits
Moving costs
Cable TV or streaming services
Rent for vacation homes or second properties
Fees for non-essential services (e.g., parking, pet rent)

4. How VERAP Applications Worked (Historical)#

During its operation, VERAP applications were accepted through three methods:

Online: Through the VSHA portal at erap.vsha.org (now closed)
By Mail: Paper applications sent to VSHA offices
In Person: Through local Community Action Agencies (CAAs)

Applicants were required to submit proof of identity, proof of residency, income documentation, proof of hardship, and rental/utility arrears statements. Landlords could also provide supporting documentation such as proof of ownership, W-9 forms, and rental ledgers. Processing times typically ranged from 2-4 weeks.

All VERAP application channels are now closed. If you previously received VERAP assistance and need payment records, contact the VSHA Program Manager at [email protected].

5. Current Rental Assistance Alternatives in Vermont (2026)#

If you are a Vermont renter facing financial hardship in 2026, the following programs and resources may be able to help:

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program#

The Section 8 program, administered by the Vermont State Housing Authority (VSHA), provides ongoing rental assistance to eligible low-income families, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities. Eligibility is based on income (generally at or below 50% of AMI). Note that VSHA closed its Housing Choice Voucher waiting list on January 31, 2025.

Website: vsha.org/vsha-programs/rental-assistance-program
Phone: 802-828-3295 (Montpelier office) or 800-820-5119 (message line)

Community Action Agencies#

Vermont's Community Action Agencies (CAAs) offer a range of housing assistance services, including emergency financial assistance, housing navigation, security deposit help, and rental assistance for eligible households.

Website: vermontcap.org/programs-services/housing-assistance
Find your local CAA: Contact Vermont 211 by dialing 2-1-1

Reach Up#

Reach Up is Vermont's cash assistance program for families with children. It can include housing-related financial support for eligible households.

Website: dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/reachup

Housing Opportunity Grant Program (HOP)#

HOP provides funding to operate emergency shelters and essential services for shelter guests across Vermont.

Website: dcf.vermont.gov/oeo/programs/hop

Emergency Housing#

Vermont's Emergency Housing program provides temporary shelter for individuals and families who cannot afford housing and have experienced a catastrophic situation.

Website: dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/crisis-housing

Heat and Energy Assistance#

If you need help with utility bills, the Department of Public Service and local CAAs administer fuel assistance and weatherization programs.

Website: publicservice.vermont.gov/help-utility-bills-renters

Vermont 211#

For a comprehensive referral to local housing and social services, dial 2-1-1 or visit vermont211.org.

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)#

Q: Is VERAP still accepting applications in 2026?
A: No. VERAP permanently closed to new applications. The VSHA portals shut down on January 12, 2024. No new federal ERA funding has been allocated for this program.

Q: What should I do if I need rental assistance now?
A: See the Current Rental Assistance Alternatives section above. Contact your local Community Action Agency or dial 2-1-1 for referrals.

Q: Can I get my VERAP payment records?
A: Yes. Contact the VSHA Program Manager at [email protected] to retrieve payment information.

Q: Was VERAP assistance taxable?
A: No. VERAP funds were not considered taxable income for renters or landlords.

Q: What if my landlord had refused to accept VERAP funds?
A: Landlords were not required to participate, but VERAP staff could help mediate. If a landlord declined, funds could sometimes be paid directly to the tenant (where allowed by law).

Q: Why did VERAP end?
A: VERAP was funded through federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) allocations from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which were designed as temporary pandemic-relief measures. Once federal funding was exhausted, the program wound down. The Scott administration announced the phase-out in August 2022.

Q: I received VERAP aid previously. Do I need to report it on my taxes?
A: No. VERAP funds were not taxable income. However, if you have specific tax questions, consult a tax professional or the Vermont Department of Taxes.

7. Conclusion#

The Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Program (VERAP) served as a vital resource for over 12,600 Vermont households during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. While the program is now permanently closed, Vermont renters facing financial hardship in 2026 still have options. Section 8 housing vouchers, Community Action Agency programs, Reach Up, and other state and local resources remain available. If you need help, start by contacting your local Community Action Agency or dialing 2-1-1 for a referral to the services that best fit your situation.

8. References#

Vermont State Housing Authority (VSHA). Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Program (VERAP) — Program Closure Notice. https://www.vsha.org/verap/
Vermont Legal Aid. Money for Rent, Utilities & More in Vermont During the COVID-19 Crisis. https://vtlawhelp.org/money-for-past-due-rent
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Income Limits Data. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il.html
Vermont Community Action Agencies. Housing Assistance Services. https://vermontcap.org/programs-services/housing-assistance/
Vermont Department for Children and Families. Emergency Housing. https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/crisis-housing
Vermont Department for Children and Families. Reach Up. https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/reachup
Vermont Department for Children and Families, Office of Economic Opportunity. Housing Opportunity Grant Program (HOP). https://dcf.vermont.gov/oeo/programs/hop
Vermont State Housing Authority. Section 8 Housing Assistance Program. https://www.vsha.org/vsha-programs/rental-assistance-program/