TAMPA BAY, Fla. ABC Action News has shared stories of residents facing evictions while waiting on emergency rental assistance from the Department of Children and Families (DCF) OUR Florida program. Well continue to work to ensure that available funding goes to eligible applicants and helps them get on the road to recovery., This program has been incredibly meaningful for nearly 230,000 families across the state of Florida, said Secretary Shevaun Harris of the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). From April 21 through April 27, OUR Florida approved 3,883 applications and obligated more than $31.7 million in relief to families behind on rent and utilities payments. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. To find your local Community Action Agency, go To: Homelessness Prevention: Continuums of Care (CoC) are organizations that assist in outreach, intake and assessment to link housing and services to those who are homeless, provide emergency shelter, transitional housing and permanent housing to end episodes of homelessness. Need help paying your bill? Through OUR Florida, more than 228,000 families have received relief on past due rent and utilities. Another way to get help with past-due rent opened for Floridians Monday. RELATED: Residents receive evictions while waiting on rental assistance from OUR Florida program. Florida received $1.4 billion for Emergency Rental Assistance Programs from the Treasury in late January, of which $529 million went directly to local governments. The program was launched on May 10 and has already paid millions in relief to landlords and utilities companies to ensure families can stay safely in their homes, together. Florida launches new Emergency Rental Assistance Program. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. The OUR Florida vendor has recently hired additional workers and now has a staff of 700 to process applications and answer calls. One question allows users to select the county they live in and how many people live in their household, and the site will display what the income limit for that county is to qualify. Its no surprise the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has put millions of Americans in rental debt. ABC Action News has shared stories of residents facing evictions while waiting on emergency rental assistance from the Department of Children and Families (DCF) OUR Florida program. To check qualifications and to apply, visit ourflorida.com. The state has accepted a second Can we find out if it was cashed? To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of Florida and meet one of the following requirements: You have a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001, or A person with a disability (a child, your spouse, a parent, or yourself). Down payment assistance is only available when used The application website, OURFlorida.com, launched last week. Note that many local governments are also operating rental assistance programs. "I have people who say 'I'm going to move back with my parents in Michigan' or move out of state because they just can't make it," says Brito, who would like to see OUR Florida remain an option for renters, but become a program that operates more efficiently for both renters and landlords. First, its helpful to understand what the ERAP is. I am a WUSF Rush Family/USF Zimmerman School Digital News Intern for the spring 2022 semester; this is my second internship with the station. Households can receive up to $2,000 each month, according to the site's FAQs, with the maximum total payment being $15,000. Simply dial 2-1-1 from any phone to seek local referral assistance. Weve been asking for an update since Nov. 1. To be eligible for benefits, renters must have low income or be unemployed, have experienced a loss of income or financial hardship during the last year, and be behind on rent or utility payments, or at risk of falling behind. OUR Florida Accepting Applications Through May 12, 2022; More Than 228,000 Families Served and $1.3 Billion in Relief Distributed, OUR Florida Relief Reaches 225,770 Households; $1.27 Billion in Relief Has Been Obligated to Florida Families Statewide, OUR Florida Relief Reaches 215,712 Households; $1.19 Billion in Relief Has Been Obligated to Florida Families Statewide. Even if a household applied to thecounty's program, they can still apply for OUR Florida. The amount a household receives will be based on the applicant's current lease. Based on Florida's future projections, all funding will be allocated by January 2022. WUSF 89.7 depends on donors for the funding it takes to provide you the most trusted source of news and information here in town, across our state, and around the world. Visit: HOPE Florida unites communities through Care Navigators to guide Floridians on an individualized path to prosperity, economic self-sufficiency and hope. Florida Food Assistance Program (SNAP)? The United States Department of Agricultures (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), called food assistance in Florida and formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, provides food benefits, access to a healthy diet, and education on food preparation and nutrition to low-income households. If you qualify for emergency rental assistance, you may also be eligible for help with your wireless service. There are many other programs and services available throughout Media Contact:HQW.Press.Office@MyFLFamilies.com. That was the deadline for at least 30% of the funds to be dispersed, or the Treasury Department could reallocate their excess funds. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - Today is the last day for residents to apply for emergency rental assistance through Our Florida. The OUR Florida program is another example of our efforts to assist Florida families on their road to economic self-sufficiency, said Shevaun Harris, secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families, which is administering the program. If you need this in an accessible format or another language, please contact us at 1-800-544-4441. Landlords are getting out of the rental business and selling because the market is great for sellers. The post office said it is spending nearly $10 billion to electrify its aging fleet, including installing a modern charging infrastructure at hundreds of postal facilities According to the Department Of Treasurys data, she was right. Interested in becoming an Independent Contractor? 2-1-1. All rights reserved. For Survivors (TAPS) Call 1-800-959-TAPS(8277) Whether you are in emotional crisis, need to connect with TAPS resources. Program recipients with questions about reporting, technical issues, eligible uses of funds, or other items click here for self-service resources. Florida has received an additional $740.4 million from the federal government for its emergency rental assistance program, OUR Florida, state officials announced Thursday. Our Florida is Floridas Emergency Rental Assistance Program. WUSF Public Media empowered your participation in democracy this election season. Learn More Check Your Application Status News from our coverage partners and WUSF. This will help ensure that its handled quickly and accurately. To qualify for the program, renters must be low income or unemployed and be behind on rent or utility payments or at risk of falling behind. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Residents receive evictions while waiting on rental assistance from OUR Florida program, tweeted a letter to Governor Ron Desantis and DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris, deadline for at least 30% of the funds to be dispersed, Allowing flexibility for income verification, Implementing flexibilities for tenant documentation requirements, Enhancing the vendor's call center capabilities, Implementing dedicated team members to provide assistance to landlords with more than 10 properties, Streamlining the payment process with large utility providers, Increasing the number of vendor staff to meet program needs. In their improvement plan, they list several actions they are implementing including: DCF concludes that based on their future projections, all funding will be allocated by January 2022.. As for Pasko, she tells us she received a check from OUR Florida on Dec. 6 as well, but it wasnt enough to cover even one months rent. If you have insurance and you can't pay your bill, please contact us at 1-866-869-9677. OUR Florida is available to all qualified applicants, even if you live in a city or county that has its own local program. If you are currently experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, you may access your local continuum of care for additional resources. WebAscension Medical Group Sacred Heart 41%. WebMemorial Neuroscience Institute is the first in South Florida to offer an advanced method of DBS that is performed while the patient is comfortably asleep under general anesthesia. If the applicant doesn't have a lease, they can use proof from the landlord, canceled checks or proof of a payment record. and programs, or just want to. Be behind on rent or utility payments or at risk of falling behind. Qualified individuals have until 10 p.m. Thursday to submit their application online. In August, ABC Action News found OUR Florida had only disbursed 3% of the federal rent assistance. It includes $355 million for affordable housing initiatives, of which $209 million will go to workforce housing and low-income housing. DCF is committed to help Florida families recover and achieve economic self-sufficiency. The program offers help for players experiencing the likes of mental health or substance abuse issues. Renters who cant access the online application at OURFlorida.com can call 1-833-493-0594 seven days a week between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Meet the first woman to lead the Florida Times-Union newspaper, Child rapists in Florida could face death penalty under new bill, Local Weather: The heat holds as windy becomes the weather word Friday, Weather is 95% favorable for a liftoff tonight, but teams are keeping an eye on weather along Dragons ascent corridor, Disabled man faces eviction after rent doubled, Renter takes legal action after eviction notice for 'interfering with business operations'. Now for a limited time, get an 8 tablet for just $10.01 when you qualify and sign up for theAffordable Connectivity Program (ACP). But those with smaller populations, like Hernando County, were excluded, though they sometimes used other batches of funds to still offer relief. If we dont tackle a good portion of our workforce housing issue, were going to see a decrease in our labor force, Minor added. From March 24 through March 30, OUR Florida approved 4,462 applications and obligated more than $28 million in relief to families behind on rent and utilities payments. Renters looking for eligibility for Our Florida benefits must: To sign up for emergency rental assistance, visit the OUR Florida website and complete the appropriate application. Mark, Landlord, Belleview, This program has been a blessing to our family in so many ways. In the Tampa Bay area, that number is $56,250 for a family of four. WebWe look forward to welcoming you to our campus! According to the programs website, OUR Florida has accepted rental and utility assistance applications since May 17, 2021. I would like to thank Governor DeSantis for his leadership as we continue to work together to help our families become economically self-sufficient, DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris said in a prepared statement. Low income families are on the verge of homelessness, and this program will provide a safety net to keep families stable and in their homes, said Shevaun Harris, secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Because so many Floridians rely on this program, OUR Florida hired 700 employees to help those needing their applications, questions, and cases. We provide listings of local and state government, faith-based, and non-profit rental assistance programs. The state also hired a consulting firm called Tidal Basin to help administer the rental assistance program. For questions about the program, you can contact OUR Florida by calling 833-493-0594, 7 days a week, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. Their residents would now be eligible under this relief effort. While local programs require applicants to be a resident of that particular county, the statewide program allows any Florida resident to apply, regardless of where they live. Now, I can see the light at the end of the dark tunnel. TheOpportunities for Utilities and Rental Assistance (OUR)Florida Program administered by the Florida Department of Children and Families is funded by the same federal dollars from the U.S. Treasury that local programs are. To date, OUR Florida relief has reached 215,712 households across Florida. It has been a privilege for our team members to support the Sunshine State with the implementation of OUR Florida, said Mark Miszcak, COO of Tidal Basin Group, which manages program delivery for OUR Florida. Qualify for exclusive deals and get FREE delivery, all with no membership required. WebRental Help: Florida Subsidized Apartments HUD helps apartment owners offer reduced rents to low-income tenants. OUR Florida will continue processing applications until all state funds are obligated, which are expected to be expended by May 27, 2022. Vanessa Brito is the moderator of the First Coast News facebook page Navigating Florida's Unemployment Maze, which also handles housing issues. Additionally, the Florida Department of Children and Families offers a variety of other programs and services to help families build resilient, stable homes.. Angie DiMichele can be reached at adimichele@gannett.com. PublishedFebruary 7, 2022 at 5:00 AM EST. So if you need emergency assistance with rent or are behind on utility bills due to the impact of COVID-19, its comforting to know help is available. In an email response on Dec. 6, a spokesperson for DCF said: As of December 6, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) has distributed more than $550 million to over 111,000 households. http://centerforchildwelfare.fmhi.usf.edu/FloridaStatewideServices.shtml, https://www.myflfamilies.com/APathwaytoProsperity/, https://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/homelessness/local-providers.shtml, OUR Florida Relief Reaches 225,770 Households; $1.27 Billion in Relief Has Been Obligated to Florida Families Statewide, OUR Florida Relief Reaches 215,712 Households; $1.19 Billion in Relief Has Been Obligated to Florida Families Statewide, OUR Florida Relief Reaches 211,667 Households; $1.15 Billion in Relief Has Been Obligated to Florida Families Statewide. But you cannot get assistance for the same time period from both programs. Minor said that this trajectory will likely continue into the future, and that Florida needs to address this affordable housing crisis soon. Click here to read our full privacy policy. Floridians who rent their home, apartment, or other dwelling where they live can apply. Low-income families are on the verge of homelessness, and this program will provide a safety net to keep families stable and in their homes.". However, DCF tells us that Fried had old data. Thats about 63% distributed to residents, but that information hasnt been public until now. By, Florida Department of Children and Families, A proposal would expand Florida's controversial education law on teaching about sexual orientation, Mail-in ballots change for Tampa city elections, Bills would allow radioactive byproducts of phosphate mining in road bed test projects, At New College of Florida, Richard Corcoran is now in and diversity initiatives are out, Here are 8 big revelations from the Alex Murdaugh murder trial, 'Whoever holds power, it's going to corrupt them,' says 'Tr' director Todd Field, Greek prime minister says 'human error' caused a train collision that left 43 dead, Rebecca Makkai's smart, prep school murder novel is self-aware about the 'ick' factor, Rising housing costs are prompting protests and possible solution from lawmakers across Tampa Bay, DeSantis pitches a $99.7 billion state budget with an emphasis on the environment and education, More than 6,000 Tampa Bay residents got help with rent in 2021, DeSantis says federal stimulus funds will result in a fruitful year for local projects in Florida. What do we do? Restaurants That Accept SNAP. Then, read on to find out everything you need to know about the program, such as eligibility information and more. Applicants must submit some documents to prove their income eligibility, such as 2020 tax filings, monthly pay stubs or bank statements, according to a fact sheet on the application website. Governor DeSantis has proposed a $99.7 billion budget for fiscal 2022-23, the largest proposal in over a decade. To sign up for Floridas Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), visit ourflorida.com. Save on an Amazon Prime membership for government assistance recipients. Since the program was started in May 2021, DCF officials say it has distributed more than $858 million to over 164,000 households statewide. Notice of late rent, a notice of eviction or an eviction court filing. The State Housing Initiative Program can help users locate affordable housing options in Florida. You can read the full improvement plan action statements below: 1. Households should gather the following if they apply: Landlords should gather the following if they apply: This story comes from a partnership between the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the Herald-Tribune, covering the Season of Sharing campaign and how nonprofits in the region are responding to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Floridas federally-funded Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP),OUR Florida, assists low-income families, individuals, and even landlords and utility companies with help making and receiving payments. To find your local COC, visit. WebThe Department of Children and Families, Economic Self Sufficiency Program has several programs that can help Florida families. If you live in one of the following Florida cities or counties, you may be eligible for additional emergency rental assistance funding through local programs. 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