Rental Assistance Programs & Information
SEFAA has created this dedicated page in order to provide members with timely updates and resources around Rental Assistance Programs. Please read below for more information.
Please note: The following resources, links, and information are provided for general and informational purposes only. Members should consult with their managers or legal counsel before implementing any new policies or next steps. This information is subject to change. Please check back for updates.
ACROSS THE STATE
The OUR Florida Program website is now LIVE and accepting applications. SEFAA members are encouraged to visit the website and read the FAQ page, which outlines the program details. Some of the notable program highlights are below.
The State of Florida received roughly $871 million from the federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program that was established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act (Dec. 27, 2020). These funds will be administered by the Florida Department of Children and Families via the Opportunities for Utilities and Rental Assistance (OUR) Florida Program, also known as Our Florida.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
- Renters will be eligible if they:
- Rent a home, apartment, or other residential dwelling in Florida.
- Earn an income at or below 80% of the area’s median income (AMI).
- Have qualified for unemployment, experienced a loss of income, incurred significant costs, or faced financial hardships due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
- Are at risk of losing their home, experiencing housing instability, or living in unsafe or unhealthy conditions.
In an effort to help members stay informed about the establishment of emergency rental assistance programs across the state, FAA created a Rent Relief Fund Tracker. This tracker includes a list of cities and counties with populations above 200,000 that were eligible to request payments directly from the U.S. Treasury to establish emergency rental assistance programs.
Additional Resources
LOCAL UPDATES
Palm Beach County
Broward County
The Broward County Family Success Division, in partnership with the Housing Finance Administration of Broward County, has funds available through the CARES ACT - Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) to help Broward County residents who were financially impacted by COVID-19 with rental assistance.
Eligibility requirements for the CDBG and ESG program can be found at the link below along with information to contact one of four (4) Family Success Center locations to request assistance. Please contact the number listed on the website.
- Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
- Funds Availability: April 1, 2020 thru April 30, 2022 or until funding is exhausted.
- Purpose: Rental Assistance
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
- Funds Availability: April 1, 2020 thru March 31, 2023 or until funding is exhausted.
- Purpose: Rent, Electric & Gas Utility Assistance
Miami-Dade County
City of Miami: The City of Miami’s Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program will no longer accept applications for assistance after Wednesday, July 13, 2022, 5 p.m., as all program funding will soon be obligated.