Rental Assistance Program Coming Soon

Last Update: May 14, 2021  

Online Application Portal Expected to open Tuesday, May 18 at 8 a.m. 

The City of Orlando has been awarded $8.6 million in COVID-19 Relief Funds from the U.S. Department of Treasury to provide Emergency Rental Assistance for households that have been financially impacted by COVID-19. 

Households within the Orlando city limits with incomes below 80% of the area median income ($61,050 for a family of four) are eligible to apply for assistance to get current on up to 12 months of unpaid rent. Priority will be given to households with incomes less than 50% of the area median income ($38,150 for a family of four) and to households with one or more members that have been unemployed for at least 90 days. 

Rental assistance payments will be made directly to the landlord.   

The city has partnered with KPMG, Tetra Tech, Indelible and Neighborly Software to administer the program to provide financial support to City of Orlando households to get current on up to 12 months of unpaid rent. 

Please gather the necessary documents required to apply and visit this webpage again on Tuesday, May 18 after 8 a.m. to access the online application portal to begin your application.  

Online

Step 1.Verify Your Residence is in the City Limits

Use the Information Locator

Step 2.If You Live Outside the Orlando City Limits

If your residence is not located within the city limits but you reside in Orange County, you may be eligible for Orange County's rental assistance program.

Get more info on Orange County Rental Assistance

Step 3.Determine Your Eligibility

Per the Treasury’s requirements for this program, to be eligible, a household must:  

  • Include one or more individuals within the household who experienced financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 outbreak;  

  • Include one or more individuals within the household demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and  

  • Have a household income at or below 80% of the area median income (which for a family of four is $61,050) with priority given to households at or below 50% of the area median income (which for a family of four is $38,150) or have a household member who has been unemployed for 90 days; and  

  • Applicants will need to submit proof of occupancy in the rental residence – this can include a copy of a lease, rental agreement, rent receipts, evidence of regular rental payments, or any other documents that show proof of occupancy.  

Household Size Income: 80%  Income: 50% 
 1  $42,750  $26,750
 2  $48,850  $30,550
 3  $54,950  $34,350
 4  $61,050  $38,150
 5  $65,950  $41,250
 6  $70,850  $47,300
 7  $75,750  $47,350
 8  $80,600  $50,400

Additional City Program Guidelines and Eligibility Requirements:  

  • Rental assistance is provided for past-due rent only plus current month’s rent due (maximum of up to 12 months).  

  • Rental assistance payments will be made directly to the landlord.  

  • The applicant’s monthly rental rate may be no more than $4,000 per month.   

  • Assistance with utility payments will not be provided unless the utilities are billed as part of the lease. 

  • Step 1: Gather everything you’ll need to apply, which includes:
    • Information for each member of your household to include name, social security number, birthdate and relationship to you.
    • Identification for each member of your household over the age of 18. This can include a copy of a current and valid government issued identification to include a passport photo page, military ID, driver’s license or other state issued ID.
    • Income documentation for each member of your household to show your annual household income is less than 80% of the area median income.
      • The preferred method to verify the income eligibility of a household is to submit a signed 2020 IRS 1040 Tax Form for each member of your household.
      • In the alternative, tenants can submit:
        • A copy of a letter of assistance for each household member dated on or after January 1, 2020 from one of the following programs: WIC, SNAP, Section 8 Housing or Free and Reduced Meals.
        • Two months of income statements (this can include: pay stubs, unemployment compensation, retirement, Social Security) for each household member.
    • A signed copy of your lease agreement. If your lease is expired, you will need to submit a statement from your landlord indicating you are living in the rental residence under a month-to-month arrangement.
    • A copy of your most recent rental statement showing rental amount due.
    • Documentation of any prior COVID-relief rental assistance received and what months that rental assistance covered.
  • Step 2: Create an account in Neighborly (Link to Neighborly will be live on Tuesday, May 18 at 8 a.m.) to begin your application.
  • Step 3: Your landlord will be invited to upload their required documentation to your application. Please see the drop down menu below for what items will be required from your landlord.
  • Step 1: Gather everything you’ll need which includes:
    • A copy of your W-9 to receive payment for rent owed.
    • A statement confirming the amount of rent owed by your tenant(s).
    • A signed copy of your lease with the tenant(s). If the lease is expired, you will need to submit a statement indicating your tenant is living in the rental under a month-to-month arrangement.
    • A copy of a voided check or ACH form as to where you want your payment to be deposited.
  • Step 2: Create an account and/or Log-in to Neighborly (Link to Neighborly will be live on Tuesday, May 18 at 8 a.m.) to begin or continue an application.
    • Read and agree to full Terms & Conditions prior to submission of the application.

Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida  

The CDC Eviction Moratorium that is set to expire on June 30 may be over sooner than expected. A ruling from a federal judge overturning the CDC Moratorium is temporarily on hold while that case is being appealed. There is uncertainty as to what this could mean for tenants relying on the CDC Eviction Moratorium for protection. You can apply for legal assistance by calling the Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida hotline at 800.405.1417 or filling out an application online to discuss your options with an attorney. Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida will qualify you for legal services or referral to the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association. 

Contact Us

Email

covidassistance@orlando.gov

Main Office

Orlando, FL

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