Florida Rent Assistance
You’re probably referring to the Florida rent assistance program. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is a crucial resource that provides funding to state and local governments to help households facing financial difficulties in paying rent or utilities. This program plays a vital role in preventing homelessness and housing instability, particularly during times of economic hardship such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
However, it is concerning that ERAP programs are soon approaching an end due to the depletion of funds. The termination of these programs could have devastating consequences for those who are already struggling financially and rely on rental assistance to stay housed. It highlights the urgent need for additional resources and funding to ensure that vulnerable households continue to receive the support they need.
It is worth noting that some areas, such as the City of Orlando, may still have open Emergency Rental Assistance Programs available for eligible residents. These programs serve as a lifeline for individuals and families who are unable to meet their monthly rent obligations due to financial hardships caused by factors like job loss, illness, or other unforeseen circumstances.
However, there are also areas where these rental assistance programs are closed or non-existent, which further exacerbates the existing housing crisis. Government entities at all levels need to recognize the importance of emergency rental assistance and work toward expanding or establishing sustainability.
Resources
ERAP Community Legal Services
U.S Department of Treasury Rental Assistance Program
Get Help Paying Rent in Florida
Affordable Housing Hub-Florida
Community Services Program-Rental Assistance
How Does ERAP in Florida Work?
Emergency rental assistance programs provide financial support to eligible renters who are facing difficulty in paying their rent. To be eligible for this assistance, individuals must meet certain criteria based on their financial situation and housing needs. One of the primary requirements is to have a residential agreement or lease signed by both the renter and landlord, which includes information about the rental payment amount and the place of residence. However, in cases where a formal rental agreement is not available, local programs may accept alternative proofs such as utility bills or a statement from the landlord.
Additionally, special living situations like motels, hotels, mobile homes, and subsidized housing also qualify for emergency rental assistance. Florida law protects individuals who intend to make a hotel room they’re home, even without a written lease. In such cases, occupants should be considered tenants and receive protection under the Florida Landlord-Tenant Law. Even if the occupancy is not legally considered a rental agreement or non-transient, emergency rental assistance can cover the cost of hotel or motel rooms using ERA funds. Mobile home households renting manufactured housing or the land where their mobile home is located may also receive assistance for utilities and other housing-related expenses.
What is Our Florida Program?
The OUR Florida Program has been accepting applications for rental and utility assistance since Monday, May 17, 2021.
Florida’s federally-funded emergency rental assistance relief program supports residents and businesses as they continue to recover and rebuild.
It is important to submit a complete application with all required documentation to receive assistance quickly and accurately.
Check the Status of Your Application
Landlords
OUR Florida assists landlords by providing them with compensation for lost rental income to aid in the continuation of the economic recovery.
What Does it Provide?
The program provides assistance for past-due rental payments as well as up to three months’ worth of future rental payments, with a total rental assistance period of 15 months not to exceed 15 months. Landlords and tenants should work together to determine whether or not a tenant is eligible for the program and to complete the application. Once the application has been approved, the landlord will be paid directly from the funds received.
The program assists renters who qualify by providing them with assistance with unpaid rent utility bills and other expenses.
FAQs
OUR Florida is a state-funded initiative of the Florida Department of Children and Families. The Florida rent assistance provides the funding. If applicants have any questions or concerns about their eligibility, the application process, or other aspects of the program, the Frequently Asked Questions section is a great place to start.
Utilities must be paid directly to the utility companies, not to the government. For a period beginning after April 1, 2020, all payments for utilities and home energy costs must be accompanied by a bill or invoice in the tenant’s name that reflects the tenant’s address for each qualifying utility during the period.
Utilities and home energy costs that the landlord covers are considered to be part of the rental payment. To request assistance for utility arrearages, the applicant does not need to be a recipient of rental assistance or to have applied for or received it.