Bradenton/Manatee County

Bradenton/Manatee County, FL Emergency Rental Assistance Program

As a result of the inflation, renters in Bradenton and throughout Manatee County, FL, and its municipalities who are delinquent on their rent and in need of rental payment assistance are eligible to receive funds through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA).

Approved applicants will receive funds in the form of a grant to cover the cost of rent and landlord-paid utilities. Renters who qualify may receive grant funds for up to 12 months of assistance, if necessary, through August 2022, or for a maximum of 12 months. The money will be transferred directly to the landlord.

For a resident to be eligible for this grant, he or she must meet the eligibility requirements listed below and apply through our online portal.

Apply Now!

PREPARE IMMEDIATELY
Make the following preparations to get a head start on your application:

• Prepare your taxes for the year 2020. (view tax season resources)
• Create a Neighborly account, which will give you access to our online application portal.
• Obtain the necessary documentation, which is listed below.

If you have specific questions about how to apply or whether or not you are eligible for the program, we recommend that you review our Frequently Asked Questions.

ELIGIBILITY
The following requirements must be met by applicants (and supporting documentation will be required):

• Only citizens of the United States or legal permanent residents of the United States may apply.
• A resident of Manatee County, including its municipalities
• The applicant listed on the lease
• Tenants are in arrears on their rent payments due to the high cost of living, which may include landlord-paid past-due utilities (on or after April 1, 2020)
  •  Rental assistance may be available for rent that is due before April 1, 2020.
• If you qualify for unemployment benefits, or if you have experienced a decrease in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced financial hardship as a result of inflation on or after April 1, 2020, you may be eligible for benefits.
• Families have incomes that are at or below 80 percent of the area median income (AMI) (see below)
• Expenses for a primary residence that are allowable include:

1. In the case of tenant-owed rent, the amount due directly to the landlord is specified in the lease, which is signed by both the tenant and landlord. Included in the amount of rent owed by the tenant are the following items: base rent, month-to-month lease fee, amenity fees, pest control, utilities, late fees, pet rent, storage fee, and any other fees outlined in the lease.
2. The portion of rent owed by the tenant that is not subsidized. ERA eligibility is extended to households that receive a monthly federal subsidy (e.g., Housing Choice Voucher, Section 8 Voucher, Public Housing, or Project-Based Rental Assistance) and whose tenant rent is adjusted to account for changes in income are eligible to participate in the program.
3. Tenant-owned or -rented mobile homes are eligible for the ERA program if they are parked on the tenant’s lot.
4. Mooring fees for a houseboat are eligible for reimbursement under the ERA. A houseboat is a floating structure built on a floating base that is not intended to be used as a vessel in the traditional sense. It is not self-propelled, though it may be towed from place to place, and is intended to be anchored or otherwise moored in a fixed location and used as a primary residence.

Not Eligible:

• Renting out individual rooms in a house is not permitted under this program (i.e. housing where tenants rent out individual rooms). It is not permitted for the landlord to live in the same house as the tenant/applicant.)
• RVs (recreational vehicles) are not permitted under this program’s guidelines.
• Boats that are specifically designed to be used as a vessel for self-propulsion are not permitted under this program. Please Keep in Mind: Boats built on a floating platform that is anchored or otherwise moored in a fixed location and that can be towed from one location to another are eligible for this program.
• Motel/Hotels

Applicants who meet the following requirements will be given first consideration:

• • Household income equal to or less than 50% of the area median income (AMI) (see below)
  • Someone in the household has been out of work for at least 90 days before applying.

REQUIREMENTS FOR INCOME IN THE HOUSEHOLD

Applicants must have an income that is at or below 80 percent of the area median income (AMI). Priority will be given to those with an AMI of 50 percent or less. This is determined by the number of people who live in your household as well as the total income earned by everyone in your household (including spouse, roommate, elderly parent, adult children, etc.).

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE

Accepted applicants will receive funds in the form of a grant to cover the cost of rent and utilities provided by their landlord. Renters who meet the eligibility requirements may receive grant funds for up to 12 months of assistance, if necessary, for expenses incurred no earlier than April 1, 2020, and no later than August 2022.

If you continue to be impacted by the high cost of living and require assistance after submitting your application, you can complete a re-certification form to be exempt from future rent payments (pending available funding).

DOCUMENTATION THAT IS REQUIRED

The following documents are required for your grant application to ensure a successful grant program that complies with federal statutes and County regulations:

• The documentation of household income is at or below 80 percent of the median income. AMI
  • Tax Return 1040 IRS -Proof that taxes have been filed is required; see FAQ “What is required to prove that taxes have been filed?” for more information. (OR)
  • Pay stubs, unemployment compensation, retirement, and Social Security statements for all household members for the previous two months are required.
• Documentation of the hardship
• A formal letter or statement from the landlord stating the amount owed is required.
• Lease terms are currently in effect, as is the landlord’s contact information (Landlord must agree to participate)
• The applicant must provide proof of identification.
• Proving that the applicant is a citizen of the United States or a legal resident alien
• Proof that the applicant’s co-applicant lives in the household, if applicable
• If the landlord is applying on the tenant’s behalf, the landlord must include a signed ERA Tenant Authorization Form.

If the applicant and co-applicant are selected for assistance, they must sign the following documents:

• Request for Information from Manatee County
• Authorization to Disseminate Information to Manatee County Duplicate Benefit Agreement
• Affidavit of Income and Financial Impact from Inflation Request for Information from Manatee County

FINANCING RESOURCE

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program of the United States Department of the Treasury is authorized by Section 501 of Division N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law No. 116-260.

EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE FAQS