Volusia County’s Emergency Rental Assistance program has funds available to assist households that have experienced a financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible households may receive up to nine months of rental and utility arrears and three months of forward assistance. The funds are left over from a previous federal grant that was not entirely utilized.
Applications will be accepted beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23. At that time, county residents may submit an application online at www.volusia.org/era. Income limits and a list of the required documents are posted on the webpage. Residents who are currently receiving Emergency Rental Assistance or have previously applied for it do not need to reapply.
With finite funds available, the county will close the application window after receiving 500 applications to ensure assistance is available for all accepted applicants. It’s expected that the portal will receive the maximum number of applications quickly. Therefore, Community Assistance staff encourages applicants to gather their required documents in advance.
It will take several weeks for Community Assistance staff to process the applications and verify information. As the amount of committed dollars is calculated, additional applications may be accepted at a later date to ensure funding is fully utilized. The county will provide advance notice if the application window reopens.
ASSISTANCE
For those needing assistance with the application, navigators will be available the morning of February 23 at:
Daytona Beach, DeLand, Deltona, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach and Port Orange regional libraries
John H. Dickerson Heritage, Hope Place
DeBary and Edgewater public libraries.
Emergency Rental Assistance office, 121 W. Rich Ave., DeLand
QUALIFYING
Landlords may apply on behalf of their tenant. They are asked to send an email to era@volusia.org with their contact information. A staff member will reach out to help them complete the application.
An eligible household is a renter household in which at least one or more individuals meet and can document these criteria:
Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to or during the COVID-19 pandemic
Demonstrates a risk of housing instability
Has a household income at or below 80% of the area median income.
APPLICATIONS
Applications will be prioritized in this order:
Applicants who are unemployed for the 90 days prior to the application date and whose income is at or below 50% of the area median income
Applicants whose income is at or below 50% of the area median income
Applicants who are unemployed for the 90 days prior to the application date and whose income is at or below 80% of the area median income
Applicants whose income is at or below 80% of the area median income
MORE INFO:
For more information, call Volusia County’s Community Assistance Division at 386-943-7095.
Notice under the Americans with Disabilities Act (Title II)
Pursuant to Title II of the ADA, Volusia County does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in providing or conducting its services, programs or activities. Anyone requiring an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of county policies to participate in a meeting or other event, should contact the county’s ADA Title II coordinator, Jim Corbett, at 386-248-1760 no later than two business days before the event or meeting.
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