Advocates warn mayor's $5M ERAP cut risks surge in evictions; call for $100M restoration

Lede: Tenants, legal advocates and service providers told the District Council's Committee on Human Services on May 29 that the mayor's proposed FY 2026 budget's $5 million allocation for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is far short of need and would likely fuel evictions and homelessness.

Nut graf: Speakers from Legal Aid DC, the United Planning Organization, community organizers and tenants said ERAP has prevented evictions when it was adequately funded and that the mayor's cut comes as eviction filings and rent burdens rise. They urged the committee to restore ERAP to roughly $100 million and to improve ERAP administration so applicants can get timely help when they face court action.

Body: Molly Katchen, supervising attorney in Legal Aid DC's housing unit, said ERAP ——is one of the most effective tools the district has to keep individuals and families in stable housing and prevent evictions.—— She told the committee the program must be funded enough to meet emergency need and that administrative upgrades —would reduce delays and speed payments— (transcript).

Ed Lazier of the United Planning Organization highlighted the scale of housing stress: ——There are 45,000 renter households who currently spend more than half of their income on housing—— and said $5 million would serve only a sliver of households behind on rent. He and other witnesses pointed to Census pulse estimates that roughly 18,000 households report being behind on rent as evidence of the gap between need and funding.

Tenant advocates and residents told the committee how brief ERAP openings last year left many unable to apply. Jenna Israel, a tenant organizer with Jews United for Justice, said the portal closed —in less than a day— when it opened, leaving thousands without access (transcript). Several witnesses urged the council to pair ERAP increases with stronger tenant legal services so applicants are not evicted while applications are pending.

Speakers also linked ERAP to other parts of the safety net: cutting ERAP, they said, will increase demand for emergency shelter and for legal representation in eviction court. As one provider put it, ——When ERAP runs out, families are pushed further into crisis and into the shelter system.——

Ending: Committee members asked witnesses for concrete recommendations on portal improvements and payment timing; advocates said they would follow up with written proposals during the markup phase. Several witnesses also stressed revenue options the council could use to pay for ERAP increases, including progressive tax changes discussed by advocacy coalitions.