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Help Preventing Eviction, Foreclosure Available From City, Jax Bar Association

A home on Jacksonville's Southside is pictured for sale.
Bill Bortzfield
/
WJCT News
A home on Jacksonville's Southside is pictured for sale on Oct. 7, 2020.

The city of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Bar Association (JBA) are launching a new eviction and foreclosure prevention program thanks to the federal CARES Act.The program will provide more than $5.1 million to Duval County residents and business owners who may lose their apartment, home or business location due to the economic impact of COVID-19.

Residents can receive up to $5,000, and businesses could get up to $10,000.

The grants will be awarded on a first-come,-first served basis and will go directly to the landlord or mortgage lender.

"I am grateful to the JBA for its leadership, contributions to the program, and commitment to being a valuable corporate citizen,” said Mayor Lenny Curry in an email to WJCT News.

“As a civic-minded organization, we are excited to see the CARES Act funds get in the hands of the families and small businesses that need it most during the pandemic,” said Christian George, JBA Board of Governors member.  

Among other eligibility requirements, applicants must be able to provide the following documents:

Residential

  • Identification for all household members
  • A copy of the lease or mortgage
  • Proof of the ability to make payments of 60 days of rent or mortgage
  • A notice from the landlord or mortgagee of pending eviction or foreclosure (if applicable)

Commercial

  • A copy of the lease or mortgage.
  • The landlord or mortgagee's W-9
  • Proof of a reduction in income, staffing or employee hours of at least 20%
  • A copy of the current Duval County occupational license
  • Proof of the ability to make payments of 60 days of rent or mortgage
  • A notice from the landlord or mortgagee of pending eviction or foreclosure (if applicable)

Residential applications will be accepted at JacksonvilleCares.com starting Thursday, Dec. 3.  Commercial applications will be accepted the week of Dec. 7.

Bill joined WJCT News in September of 2017 from The Florida Times-Union, where he served in a variety of multimedia journalism positions.