COVID-19 Rental Assistance To Be Available In Volusia County

DeLand, FL – Rental assistance applications for Volusia County residents whose income has been affected by COVID-19 will start being accepted Wednesday, March 10 at 9 a.m.  Volusia County’s Emergency Rental Assistance program has received more than $16 million from the U.S. Department of the Treasury that can be used for rental and utility assistance. Applications will be accepted starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 10. Interested persons may submit an application online and get more information at volusia.org/ERA. You can also contact Community Assistance at 386-943-7095 or email ERA@volusia.org. The county will close the application window after receiving 1,000 applications. As applications are processed and the amount of committed dollars is calculated, additional applications may be accepted to ensure funding is fully utilized. The county will provide advance notice if the application window reopens If you’re in need of assistance filling out the application or don’t have a computer to do so online, Navigators will be available at local libraries:  Dickerson Heritage Public LibraryHope Place Public LibraryDebary Public LibraryEdgewater Public LibraryDeLand Regional LibraryDeltona Regional LibraryOrmond Beach Regional LibraryDaytona Beach Regional LibraryPort Orange Regional LibraryNew Smyrna Beach Regional Library There are eligibility requirements. An eligible household may receive up to six months of assistance for rent or utilities, including past due rent and utilities. An eligible household is a renter household in which at least one or more individual meets and can document the following criteria: * Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19; * Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and * Has a household income at or below 80% of the area median.  Priority will be provided to households that are at or below 50% of the area median income and households that include an individual who has been unemployed for the 90 days prior to the application for assistance.