Naples, FL/Collier County Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Residents and small business owners in Collier County who have been impacted by COVID-19 can apply for financial assistance through the Collier County Assistance Program. The application period for small business owners has ended.
Applications for households (individuals and families), households with senior members (60 years or older), landlords, and temporary quarantine situations will continue to be accepted until the end of the fiscal year or until funds are depleted. More information can be found in the sections below and on our FAQs page. Don’t put it off any longer! Fill out an application right away!
Assistance with household
Residents of Collier County who have fallen behind on their mortgage, rent, or utility payments as a result of the economic difficulties brought on by COVID-19 may be eligible for assistance. Past due payments must have accrued as a result of COVID-19 and must be able to be traced back to their source. For more information on eligibility and documentation requirements, please see the frequently asked questions (FAQ) page.
Individuals applying for assistance must include on their application all of their household members, including anyone who is 18 years of age or older, and provide documentation of their household’s income.
In addition, those additional individuals must meet all of the eligibility requirements that were outlined during the application process. Case-by-case evaluations of applications and eligibility are conducted for each applicant. If you are found to be eligible, program staff will contact you to discuss your options.
Bills that have been past due (are in arrears) as of March 13, 2020, are eligible for assistance. As of March 13, 2020, applicants must have been current on their rent, mortgage, and utility bills in order to be considered. Rent, mortgage, and utility arrearages are eligible for a one-time payment of up to $10,000 for rent, mortgage, and utility relief. Although the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program does not have a cap on funds, it will only assist with rent payments until the fall of 2021.
Applicants will also be screened for benefits through the program. This will enable the county to assist a greater number of residents. It is possible that applicants who do not qualify for aid through the CCAP will qualify for aid through the ERA, and vice versa.
Providing Assistance to Landlords with Tenant Applications
A landlord can submit an application on a tenant’s behalf. The tenant, on the other hand, will be required to provide proof of income and citizenship status. In order to be reimbursed for each eligible renter’s unpaid rent during the period March 13, 2020, to March 31, 2021, or for the most recent unpaid month, you must submit a reimbursement application.
Some of the requirements are as follows:
Unless otherwise specified, all payments must be used to satisfy the tenant’s unpaid rent for the period between March 13, 2020, and March 31, 2021, or for the most recent unpaid month, whichever is greater.
Your tenants must complete the application and verify that they meet the eligibility requirements before you can rent to them. Tenant eligibility qualification will be determined by their individual circumstances, and they will be required to meet the requirements outlined above.
In order to qualify, your renter’s household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
You’ll need the following items before you can submit your application:
- Deed of Title to Real Estate (s)
- Note on a Mortgage (s)
- Statement of Real Estate Taxes
- A copy of the property insurance declaration
- The lease or rental agreement should include the renter’s name, residence address, and the amount of monthly rent that is due.
If you have any questions, please see the frequently asked questions (FAQ) page for more information on eligibility and documentation requirements.
If, on the other hand, the property is a homestead and you intend to rent it out, your application will be denied.
Assistance for Small Businesses
Applications for small business assistance are no longer being accepted.
Food pantries and food banks
Food pantries and food banks can also apply for financial assistance through the Community Foundation of Collier County by contacting them directly.
The Application Process and How It Works
- Gather all of your necessary documents before you submit your application. Please refer to the FAQs page for more information on the required documentation. Despite the fact that it is possible to submit your application without uploading these documents, doing so may cause a delay in the processing of your application.
- You can submit an application online or in-person at any Collier County library. You can submit an online application at the library by using the computer, scanner, and printer/copier equipment that has been assigned for public use. There is no charge for using this equipment.
- To gain access to the application, you must first create a username and password. You will require an email account in order to do so. Do you not have an email address?
- Make a note of your username and password somewhere only you will be able to see it. Having this information will be useful if you ever need to return to your application to add documents, change your contact information, or check the status of your application. We will not be able to reset your account or provide you with your username or password.
- Following the submission of your application, it will progress through seven stages or statuses:
- Processors: This is the primary point of contact for your company. They are currently reviewing your application for eligibility as well as all supporting documentation. If there are any questions, the processors will contact you via email.
- Observer: County staff verifying that all required documents are present and that the file is complete in order to proceed.
- Fiscal: Your file is currently being validated by the county’s fiscal staff.
- Management Review: Your file is currently being reviewed by county personnel for the final time.
- The county that has been approved: County staff have completed their review of your file, and your file has progressed to the final stage of the review process.
- Clerks who are awaiting assignment Payment: Your file is currently being reviewed by the Clerk of Courts in order to be paid.
- Payment from the Clerk of Courts: Your mortgage company, landlord, or utility company has received payment from the Clerk of Courts.
- We’ll get back to you as soon as we know what’s going to happen. You might receive a call from someone from HELP or the Collier County Government. Please return their phone call or respond to their email as soon as possible because we are all working together. Additionally, after you have submitted an online application, our Collier County Assistance Center staff is available to assist you with your questions.
The Assistance Center is located at:
13245 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 102,
Naples, Florida.
Alternatively, you can call (239) 450-2114 or send an email to CCAPinfo@colliercountyfl.gov to schedule an in-person appointment. Before you can be scheduled for an appointment, you must first complete and submit an online application.