Struggling with rent and utility bills? The city of Pensacola is offering to help

Edward Bunch III, Pensacola News Journal
·3 min read

Renters with overdue rent and/or utility payments may be eligible for assistance from the city of Pensacola through its Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus Funds. These funds will be utilized similarly to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program initially touted by Escambia County in February of last year.

Applications are being taken through the Neighborly portal until all $100,000 of the funds have been utilized, and maximum awards for an individual applicant are capped at $7,500. Visit cityofpensacola.com and click on "rent, mortgage & utility assistance" to apply.

According to the city, the goal of the program is to provide emergency subsistence payments for low-income renters residing within the city limits who are at risk of homelessness or housing instability because of COVID-related hardships.

Applicants also need to have a verifiable loss of income and the inability to pay monthly rent and/or utilities. Florida Power & Light and ECUA are the only two utilities companies for which the money can be used, and payments will be made directly to the respective landlord or utilities companies who are owed.

The full list of eligibility requirements for assistance state that:

  • Applicant must rent within the city of Pensacola limits

  • Landlord/property owner for rental assistance applicants must have fee simple title or life estate in the property.

  • Landlord/property owner for rental assistance applicants cannot have delinquent property taxes.

  • Household of the applicant(s) must demonstrate a loss of income due to COVID-19.

  • Household of the applicant(s) must have a maximum household income at or below 80% of the area’s median income (AMI).

Since COVID-19 wrought havoc in 2020, the U.S. Department of Treasury has allocated two rounds of funds to assist citizens across the nation for vital issues like housing stability.

How long will it take?

According to the city’s FAQ boards for rent assistance, time frames for the application process are dictated by the level of volume the program is experiencing at any given time.

Applications are considered in the order they are received, and applicants will receive an email confirming their submission shortly after it is in the system.

Whether an applicant is accepted or not, an e-mail confirming the decision will be sent to the address associated with their account.

Is there help for the process?

There is in-person assistance available for help or questions with the application, but it must be set up by calling 850-858-0335 between Monday and Thursday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., and making an appointment.

The Neighborly portal and FAQ board provided by the city may also provide answers for those seeking help virtually.

What documents do I need?

Some of the documents required for the application process include:

  • Valid & current driver's license or state identification

  • Proof that applicant resides in property seeking assistance

  • Unemployment Determination Letter

The full list of documents that may be necessary for the process can be found in the following form created by the city.

Will I have to pay this back?

No, since the assistance is through the form of a grant applicants will not be required to pay back any of the help provided to them. Only those who falsify their documentation or receive duplicate assistance will be required to pay it back.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola rent and utility assistance grant available