Behind on rent because of COVID? Miami-Dade is offering to pay it. Here’s how to apply

Miami-Dade residents struggling to pay rent during the pandemic can now apply for the county’s emergency rental assistance program.

Applications went live Monday and can be found at http://www.miamidade.gov/global/housing/emergency-rental-assistance-program.page.

Tenants apply for the relief, and if approved, the rent payment will be mailed directly to their landlords. Landlords can also refer their tenants to the program. Case workers hired by the county will contact the renters to start the application process.

People who live anywhere in Miami-Dade County, with the exception of Miami and Hialeah, can apply as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. Miami and Hialeah have received separate funding from the federal government.

County commissioners approved the $61 million program last month. Funded through the federal stimulus bill passed in December, the program will cover up to $3,000 a month as far back as March 2020. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. March 15.

Interested in applying? Here’s what else you need to know:

Who can apply for Miami-Dade County’s rent relief program?

Miami-Dade County residents, with the exception of Miami and Hialeah residents, who meet the following criteria can apply:

Unable to pay full rent because of a financial hardship caused by COVID-19 such as losing a job.

Household income does not exceed 80 percent of the annual area median income for Miami-Dade County. A one-person household’s maximum area median income, for example, is $51,200, and a four-person household’s is $73,100.

Your household income cannot exceed 80 percent of the 2020 Area Median Family Income (AMI) limits for Miami-Dade County to apply for the emergency rental assistance program.
Your household income cannot exceed 80 percent of the 2020 Area Median Family Income (AMI) limits for Miami-Dade County to apply for the emergency rental assistance program.

There must be an executed lease between the renter and the property owner or landlord.

You must certify that the rent relief will not be used for costs that have been or will be reimbursed by other government rental assistance programs related to COVID-19, or monthly federal housing programs, including Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) and Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing.

It’s worth noting that anyone who received rent relief through the county’s previous emergency rental assistance programs can apply for this round. However, you will not receive assistance for months of rent for which you previously received assistance.

How much rent relief can I get?

The county says that the amount of rent relief will depend on the amount of unpaid rent.
The county says that the amount of rent relief will depend on the amount of unpaid rent.

The county says that the amount of rent relief will depend on the amount of unpaid rent.

The program can cover up to $3,000 per month in back rent starting as far back as March 2020. Eligible households could also receive up to an additional three months of money for future rent, but this will depend on fund availability.

How can I apply for Miami-Dade County’s emergency rental assistance program?

The county recommends people apply online instead of in-person to avoid the risk of your application getting lost or missing pages.
The county recommends people apply online instead of in-person to avoid the risk of your application getting lost or missing pages.

The county recommends people apply online instead of in person to avoid the risk of the application getting lost or missing pages.

To apply online, visit http://www.miamidade.gov/global/housing/emergency-rental-assistance-program.page. If you’re on a desktop or laptop, look to the upper right-hand corner for a blue “Apply Online” button.

Those who don’t have access to the Internet can also pick up and drop off applications at four drive-through locations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. And remember, deadline to apply online or in-person is March 15 at 5 p.m.

Victory Homes, 520 NW 75th St.

Donn Gardens, 1861 NW 28th St.

Homestead Gardens, 1542 SW Fourth St.

Lakeside Towers, 7555 SW 152nd Ave.

What documents do tenants and landlords need to submit?

For tenants, some of the required documents will include showing proof of how COVID has impacted you financially (Ex: layoff letter or unemployment claim)
For tenants, some of the required documents will include showing proof of how COVID has impacted you financially (Ex: layoff letter or unemployment claim)

Once your application is processed and your eligibility is confirmed, a county employee will contact you about submitting documents. A list of required documents can be found on the application. Originals will not be accepted, so make copies.

For tenants, some of the required documents will include showing proof of how COVID has affected you financially (Example: layoff letter or unemployment claim), a copy of your current lease, a current government issued photo ID for all household members (Example: driver’s license, passport) and proof of current income for all household members.

For landlords, it includes presenting a W-9 form and signing an agreement with the county accepting the rent assistance.

You’ll have 48 hours to submit the requested documents by email to your case manager or by dropping it off at one of the previously mentioned drive-through locations, according to the program’s FAQ guide. The county recommends sending the documents by email. All emails must include the name of the applicant and the application number.

Another thing to keep in mind: If your landlord doesn’t want to participate in the program, your application will not be processed. If this situation comes up, the county says it will try to get landlords and tenants to “work together to resolve problems” and will also notify tenants of landlords who are not cooperating.

How do I know if I will get rent relief?

Tenants will be notified via email whether or not they were approved, with approvals set to be finalized no later than the end of August, according to the county. This could take longer depending on how many applications were received.

I have more questions. What is the contact?

Tenants can contact the Miami-Dade County Department of Public Housing and Community Development by calling 305-723-1815 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. You can also email questions to ERAP@miamidade.gov.

Landlords can email LandlordsERAP@miamidade.gov or call 786-688-2440.

Miami Herald staff writer Douglas Hanks contributed to this report.