Nearly $29 million in federal money will be distributed by the city of Jacksonville to help Duval County residents who may have been unable to pay their rent or utility bills due to a loss of income related to COVID-19.
Applications will be accepted starting Monday, March 29, at 8 a.m. The application deadline is Friday, April 9 at 6 p.m.
Money will be available to those who qualify to cover up to 12 months of rent and utility payments with the option for an additional three months if determined necessary to ensure housing stability.
Partnering agencies JEA and the United Way of Northeast Florida will administer the program, with JEA managing $5 million and United Way distributing $23.8 million.
Federal guidelines require qualifying individuals and families to have an income that falls below 80% of the area median income. The requirements are as follows:
Household size Total Income
One person $42,000
Two people $48,000
Three people $54,000
Four people $60,000
Five people $64,800
Six people $69,600
Seven people $74,400
Eight people $79,200
Applicants must also meet the following criteria:
- Reside in Duval County.
- Provide proof of hardship due to COVID-19, including verification of unemployment benefits, a reduction in income or other financial issue that threatened the household’s ability to pay rent when due.
- Provide a documented risk of housing instability or homelessness.
- Be unable to access other payment assistance for the same costs. For example, if rent assistance was received from another program for March – May, this program may not be used to pay for rent during that timeframe; however, it could cover other months.
The city said priority will be given to households that have incomes at or below 50% of the area median income or have one or more members who have been unemployed for at least 90 days. Payments will be made directly to the utility company or landlord.
Residents can apply online or in-person by appointment only beginning Monday. The city said the fastest and easiest way for tenants and landlords to apply is online at https://www.coj.net/erap
Paper applications will be available for pick up and drop off at the sites.
Drop Off Only Sites
Catholic Charities – 40 East Adams Street, Suite 310 – Jacksonville, Fla. 32202
Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry, 850 6th Avenue South, Suite 400 – Jacksonville Beach, Fla. 32250
City of Jacksonville Housing and Community Development Division, 214 North Hogan Street, 7th Floor – Jacksonville, Fla. 32202
Pick Up, Drop Off, and In-Person Application Assistance Sites
Jewish Family & Community Services, 6261 DuPont Station Court – Jacksonville, Fla. 32217
Wealth Watchers, 5310 Lenox Avenue, Unit 4 – Jacksonville, Fla. 32205
Downtown Ecumenical Services Council, 215 North Ocean Street – Jacksonville, Fla. 32202
Limited in-person assistance will be by appointment only. Anyone that has additional questions can call (904) 630-2489 (CITY).
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
