Miami-Dade County issues $15 million of CARES Act funds to support Active Military and Veterans

The Miami-Dade COVID-19 Military and Veterans Housing Assistance Program is designed to help those who are currently serving or have served in the United States Military and are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Funded via the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or the Cares Act, these programs serve active duty, reserve, guard and veterans who reside in Miami-Dade County.  It is intended to support veterans and active duty military households to remain self-sufficient and support a strong recovery.

“Unfortunately, we know that for many active duty enlisted personnel, veterans, and their families, that pay and benefits do not always cover basic living expenses inclusive of housing,” said Michael Liu, Director at Public Housing and Community Development. “Through this housing assistance program for those who have served and are still serving in our military, Miami-Dade County is saying "thank you" for your sacrifice and willingness to protect us."

There are currently two Programs that Veterans and Active Duty Military are eligible for.

The Housing Program assists veterans and active duty military service members. It can provide up to three (3) months of past due rent or mortgage payments per household, with a maximum of $5,000 per household. Funds will be paid to the landlord or mortgage lender in the form of a grant by Miami-Dade County. Of the $10 million in program funding, the initial allocation will be $5 million for each of the two forms of assistance, rental and mortgage.

Any Veteran OR Active Duty Military member may be eligible for rental or mortgage assistance under the program, if the following conditions are met:

• Can prove they are a veteran or active duty military service member;
• Have not received aid for the mortgage or rent payments for the same period covered by this program from any other source;
  • NOTE: Participation in the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) created by Miami-Dade County does not exclude participation in this program, however it cannot fund the same rental period. 
• Can show a loss or reduction of income due to COVID-19;
• Current household income at or below 120% of Area Median Income (AMI) for Miami-Dade County. Current income refers to the household’s income following any job loss or income reduction due to COVID-19;
• Proof of residency within Miami-Dade County; 
• Proof of paid in full status of rent or mortgage as of February 2020; 
• Maximum award per household is up to three (3) months of rent or mortgage payments, with a cap of $5,000 per household.

The Basic Needs Program assists eligible households with $1,000 of basic needs assistance vouchers for single applicants and $2,000 of basic needs assistance vouchers for households of two or more. Vouchers can be used to purchase groceries, medical supplies, baby and adult care products and other household items. The $5 million of program funds will be distributed on a first come first serve basis.

Any Veteran OR Active Duty Military member may be eligible for basic needs assistance under the program, if the following conditions are met:

• Can prove they are a veteran or active duty military;
• Can show a household loss or reduction of income due to the COVID-19 Pandemic;
• Current household income is at or below 120% of Area Median Income (AMI) for Miami-Dade County. Current income refers to the household’s income following any job loss or income reduction due to the COVID-19 Pandemic; and,
• Proof of residency within Miami-Dade County.

The Miami-Dade County Veterans and Active Duty Military Basic Needs Assistance Program is administered by the Miami Dade Military Affairs Board.

"Active military and veterans deserve our help in recognition of their service to our country,” said Liu. Applications are available at www.miamidadecovidrelief.org.

For more information, contact Colleen Moss at [email protected].

About Miami-Dade Public Housing and Community Development

Public Housing and Community Development manages more than 9,000 public housing apartments, provides financial help through the federal Section 8 program to more than 23,000 families and manages a portfolio of 1,400 affordable units. PHCD works closely with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) and with the State of Florida on the development of affordable housing.