$740.4 Million Available In FL For Emergency Rental Assistance
TAMPA, FL — The Florida Department of Children and Families announced this week that Florida has received an additional $740.4 million to continue to operate the emergency rental assistance program.
“DCF is on a mission to support families in their greatest time of need, and the ‘OUR Florida’ program is another example of our efforts to assist Florida families on their road to economic self-sufficiency. ‘OUR Florida’ has provided relief to more than 164,000 households, keeping families safe in their homes throughout 2021 and into 2022,” said DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris. “The extension of the emergency rental assistance program and the corresponding additional relief funds will accelerate Florida’s recovery and help those in need.”
The “OUR Florida” vendor has hired more staff and now has a team of more than 700 processing applications, managing cases, answering calls and supporting the program.
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Since “OUR Florida” was launched in May 2021, the program has distributed more than $858 million in funding to more than 164,000 households across Florida. The state of Florida has accepted a second round of Emergency Rental Assistance funded by the U.S. Treasury to help Florida tenants get on the road to recovery and economic self-sufficiency.
Floridians who rent the home, apartment or other dwelling where they live can apply for relief through “OUR Florida.” To be eligible for benefits, renters must be low-income or unemployed, experienced a loss of income or financial hardship during the last year, and must be behind on rent or utility payments or at risk of falling behind.
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