Commissioner Eileen Higgins’ legislation creating the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) approved by the Board of County Commissioners
MIAMI-DADE – Today, the Board of County Commissioners finally approved legislation sponsored by Commissioner Eileen Higgins, District 5, to create the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), providing one-time rental assistance grants to low- and moderate-income persons in Miami-Dade County who have lost income as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. The initial funding for the program is $10 million from Miami-Dade County and will be allocated equally across all 13 commission districts.
“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to devastate working class families who have experienced layoffs or reduced work hours as some businesses continue to be forced to close. The state’s unemployment system, bolstered with federal CARES Act dollars, was supposed to help people stay afloat during the crisis but has been a catastrophic failure,” said Commissioner Higgins. “With this item, the County is stepping up to help our most vulnerable residents stay in their homes. I am thankful to my colleagues for supporting my legislation as families struggle to pay their rents, and their landlords struggle too.”
The ERAP will assist eligible residents in Miami-Dade who earn no more than 80 percent of the County area median income (AMI) according to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines, currently have a written lease, are not a participant in other rental assistance programs, and have documentation showing that their household’s income was impacted by COVID-19.
In developing this legislation, Commissioner Higgins worked closely with the Miami-Dade County Public Housing and Community Development Department (PHCD) who will be administering the program. Applicants are able to apply online beginning on July 14 at 9:00 a.m. and closing at 5:00 p.m. on July 17, 2020. After completion of the application, which includes submission of supporting documentation, applicants will be notified via email if they have qualified for assistance. To submit an application, visit https://bit.ly/3iHM7E7.
Residents can pick up or submit a paper application via drive-through at the following four locations:
Northern Miami-Dade County
Victory Homes
520 NW 75th Street
Miami, Florida
Central Miami-Dade County
Donn Gardens
1861 NW 28th Street
Miami, Florida
Southern Miami-Dade County
Homestead Gardens
1542 SW 4th Street
Homestead, Florida
West Miami-Dade County
Lakeside Towers
7555 SW 152nd Avenue
Miami, Florida
Applications can be picked up and dropped off at any of these locations from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from July 14 to July 17. However, it is highly recommended that applications are completed and submitted online.
Approvals should be finalized by the end of August 2020.
For more information, please contact Chris Hudtwalcker, Legislative Director for Miami-Dade County District 5 Commissioner Eileen Higgins at [email protected] or 305-375-5924.