Many South Florida residents are facing challenges due to rent surges. Administrations of cities across the state offer assistance. Although the general rent hike started to slow down, it is still significantly higher than a year ago. The average rent in South Florida is $2,827, which is 16% greater than in 2021.
Salaries cannot catch up with the rising cost of living. It remains a grave problem for many residents who are struggling to pay the rent here, says Linda Taylor, CEO at H.O.M.E.S., a non-profit organization that helps low-income people to find affordable housing.
The rent currently shows no signs of considerable reduction, so tenants’ budgets will probably remain limited in the nearest future.
Here are the programs offered to limited-budget tenants by administrations of cities across South Florida:
Palm Beach County
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program assigned over $82 million, with about $14.7 million remaining in the fund. The county has now helped 10,202 households to pay the rent, utilities, and moving expenses. Approximately $77 million was spent directly on rental assistance, $2.2 million on relocation, and $3.2 million, on utility bills.
The program accepts requests until 5 p.m. on December 16, whereupon it will temporarily close until February 1 due to a large number of requests received.
The county uses various sources of funding to help as many people as possible. For instance, on January 3, the Administration will start taking requests within the Emergency Food and Shelter Program for a monthly rental benefit of up to $2,000 for a term of three months for people under risk of eviction.
Broward County
Broward County also implements the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. As of now, households in need received about $79.6 million: $76.3 million as direct rental assistance, $2 million as relocation assistance, and $1.3 million on utilities.
There are approximately $9 million left in the fund, so the County still accepts requests.
Boca Raton
This city assists tenants by using federal grant funds. Under this program, people are eligible for a one-time subsidy for a term of up to six months to cover overdue housing payments of up to $15,000 per family.
To qualify for the program, the highest annual income must be no more than $51,550 for a single person or $73,600 for a family of four.
Coral Springs
Coral Springs uses its share of $1 million in federal funds to provide financial assistance to tenants whose rent increased by more than 5% from April 2020 until present time. To qualify, tenants must rent a home in Coral Spring and have documentary support that their rent rose by over 5%. They are eligible for up to $3,600 for six months.
There is approximately $746,365 left, so requests are still accepted. Assistance has been provided to 76 families so far.
Fort Lauderdale
Tenants whose rent was raised in April 2020 or later can apply for assistance in Fort Lauderdale. Under this program, qualifying applicants can receive up to $3,000 for six months.
This program will operate until the funds are exhausted or it’s no longer needed. There is about $355,000 left in the fund at the moment. 81 applicants have been helped.