Alachua County taking applications for emergency rental assistance Published LAKE MARY, Fla. - The Alachua County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will begin taking applications this Monday at 12 p.m.. ERAP is a Federal Grant intended to assist households who cannot pay or are having difficulty paying rent and/or utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It can assist eligible households with the payment of late rent and/or utilities and may also assist with rent payment in advance. Payments will generally be made only to landlords/property managers and/or utility companies, not the households themselves. Alachua County is distributing over $8 million in ERAP funds. Each household is limited to a maximum of $15,000 in assistance.