The mission of Lackawanna Emergency Rental Assistance Program (“LERAP”) is to help tenants who are experiencing housing instability with rent and utility assistance as they recover from the disruption and loss during the COVID pandemic. The LERAP Program team seeks to serve as many qualified applicants as feasible with the limited funds on hand.

Fraud delays our ability to serve people in need. If we identify any information that indicates a pattern of fraud, waste and/or abuse, we will reject the application.

Fraud with ERA is both a state and federal offense. If we identify fraudulent behavior, we will notify the Lackawanna County District Attorney, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, US Treasury and/or Department of Homeland Security, as appropriate, for investigation and if necessary, prosecution of criminal behavior.

LERAP may pursue legal avenues which could result in fines and jail. LERAP will make all documentation and communication records available to law enforcement. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We understand that you may want to submit your documentation as quickly as possible to speed aid from LERAP. However, misstatements or incompletion documentation could be interpreted as fraud and delay your application further. Please contact LERAP if you have any questions on the information or documentation required.