Daytona Beach Still Has Rental Assistance Money For Those Financially Affected By COVID-19

Daytona Beach, FL – The city of Daytona Beach wants residents to know that there’s rental assistance for income-eligible residents affected financially by COVID-19. Compliance Manager Don Gooding said the city-initiated program began in May 2020  and started with $2.6 million. There’s now less than $65,000 remaining. “This has been a very successful initiative because we’ve been able to quickly give residents the financial help they need to avoid being evicted or becoming homeless,” said Gooding. These funds do not need to be paid back. Households can be eligible for up to three months of rental assistance. Assistance is capped at $1,500 per month for a maximum payment of $4,500 per household. Payments will be made directly to landlords or rental property management companies, and the assistance does not have to be repaid. Nearly 1,800 residents have taken advantage of the program. Rental assistance is provided on a first-completed application and first qualified/eligible basis and is for rental housing costs incurred on or after March 11, 2020. Appointments must be made to submit completed applications and provide documentation. For more information and to make an appointment, please call one of the three following agencies: Central Florida Community Development Corporation(386) 226-1216 Housing Authority of the City of Daytona Beach(386) 777-2588 Mid-Florida Housing Partnership Corporation(386) 274-4441, ext. 301 and 304 There is also the OUR (Opportunities for Utilities and Rental Assistance) Florida Program, a federally-funded emergency rental assistance relief program to support residents and businesses. It’s administered by the Florida Department of Children and Families and provides renters who qualify with relief on unpaid rent and utility bills, and supports landlords with relief on lost revenue to support their continued recovery. For more information, visit www.ourflorida.com. For those unable to go online, call 833-493-0594 to complete an application via phone.