D.C. has set a deadline of Oct. 27 for residents to apply for rental assistance through the federally funded STAY DC program.

Mayor Muriel Bowser’s administration announced Thursday that the program is rapidly running out of funds and will no longer accept applications after the deadline. The mayor urged the U.S. Treasury to speed up its timeline for reallocating unused funds from other jurisdictions that have not spent most of their rent assistance. That reallocation could send more rent relief to the District.

D.C. has spent more than three-quarters of its share of the federal funds, according to the mayor’s office, with roughly $11 million left to spend. The city allocated a total of $352 million for the STAY DC program.

The sudden announcement prompted alarm on social media.

“We need more money or some new strategy @MayorBowser or we are about to see a spike in homelessness,” tweeted Empower DC, an activist group that advocates for low-income tenants in the District.

📢BREAKING NEWS @DCDHCD announced an OCT 27TH DEADLINE FOR STAY DC applications, noting only $11mill remains in funding. No info on how many ppl are projected to be still in need. WE NEED MORE MONEY or some new strategy @MayorBowser or we are about to see a spike in homelessness

— Empower DC (@EmpowerDC) October 15, 2021

The deadline looms as D.C.’s eviction protections have been largely phased out, with landlords able to file eviction actions for nonpayment of rent starting Oct. 12. Housing providers still must file an application for STAY DC funds before they can file an eviction case.

“We will conduct outreach and in-person events through [Oct. 27] to ensure everyone has a chance to apply and demonstrate the great need for this assistance in Washington, D.C.,” said Drew Hubbard, the interim director of D.C.’s Department of Housing and Community Development, in a statement. “We will be sure to communicate changes to the program loudly and clearly for our residents, beginning with this announcement.”

The city has scheduled multiple pop-up events to help tenants apply for assistance in the coming days. One takes place Saturday in Columbia Heights. A complete schedule is posted on the STAY DC website.

STAY DC has distributed nearly $155 million in rent and utility assistance to more than 23,000 residents since the program launched April 12, according to the Bowser administration, with another $105 million in applications being processed now.