Fort Walton Beach/Okaloosa County, FL Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Several non-profit organizations in the Okaloosa and Walton counties areas can help with rent payments by donating funds. Any financial assistance will be provided in conjunction with other support programs. Families facing eviction may be eligible for a variety of assistance, ranging from landlord and tenant mediation to referrals to government grant programs for back rent and other expenses.
Assistance will be limited and targeted to those families that are able to generate some type of income in order to be able to cover their rent payments in the future on their own. Furthermore, although many of the agencies are based in Okaloosa County, they also provide assistance to residents of neighboring counties. There may be additional resources available when a family has to move into a new house, and money may be granted to cover a security deposit or a percentage of the first month’s rent expense in some instances.
Here is a list of the most important churches, charities, and other organizations to contact. There may be a waiting list in existence, and any rent aid is conditional on the creation of a self-sufficiency plan by the recipient.
Striving for Perfection Ministries
24 Bass Avenue
Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32548
The section 8 HUD voucher is processed by Fort Walton Beach Section 8/Public Housing. This is the primary rent assistance program of the government, and it will subsidize a low-income family’s monthly housing payment. It is for very low-income families, and other HUD choices may be available to Okaloosa and other counties’ disabled and senior individuals. In Fort Walton Beach, the office is located at:
27 Robinwood Drive SW
Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32548
Walton and Okaloosa Legal Services
For intake, call (850) 432-2336
Low- and middle-income families, as well as senior citizens, can get free advice. Lawyers can help with a variety of legal issues, such as housing and civil litigation. For evictions, dishonest lenders, and foreclosure counseling, free legal assistance is offered.
Matrix Community Outreach Center
37 North 9th Street
DeFuniak Springs, Florida, 32433
Opportunity, Inc.
305 Lovejoy Road
Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32548
This non-profit is in charge of the Homeless Continuum of Care. Evictions and foreclosures are two common causes of homelessness that a lot of non-profits and government agencies are working to alleviate. There is assistance with rent, housing, and security deposits. A resource directory, housing cost loans, a veteran shelter, and other types of rental assistance can all be kept.
St. Mary’s Outreach
38 Robinwood Drive
Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32548
Telephone – (850) 243-0004
Only offers short-term housing for a couple of nights at most.
Elder Services Of Okaloosa County
207 Hospital Drive
Fort Walton Beach, Florida, 32548
Telephone – 850-833-9165
Need help with energy bills? Apply here. Referrals for overdue rent, home repairs, and other assistance may be made by staff.
Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County
1170 Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32549
Can coordinate public housing for the very low income. Monthly rent payments are based on a percentage of their income.
Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida
11 North B Street
Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32548
Emergency financial assistance or a loan may be available for a portion of rent if the tenant contributes.
Sharing and Caring of Okaloosa County
104 Bullock Boulevard
Niceville, Florida, 32578
Call 850-678-8459
Salvation Army of Okaloosa and also Walton Counties
425 Mary Esther Cut-Off
Fort Walton Beach, Florida, 32548
Main number – 850-243-4531
Shelter, food, and other necessities are also provided. For domestic abuse survivors, they provide funding for electric bills as well as referrals to government aid for everything from a government grant for a deposit to health care or rent.