Miami-Dade launches program to aid landlords and tenants financially

DORAL, FL – A new program to aid landlords and tenants financially was launched by Miami-Dade County following record-high unemployment rates in Florida amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

County officials said $10 million from Congress’ Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (Cares Act) would be issued to the county’s COVID-19 Residential Landlord and Tenant Assistance Program, reported South Florida 6.

The purpose of this program is to alleviate part of the financial burden landlords and tenants have experienced since the coronavirus pandemic hit in Florida back in March.

Since then, several federal rent relief programs have been put in place in Florida in addition to moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures that have been extended repeatedly.

The last moratorium announced by Governor Ron DeSantis expires on October 1 giving tenants more time to make arrangements in order to pay rent. 

This means it is not allowed to take the action of requiring renters to vacate their unit before October 1, but it is permitted for landlords to start the eviction process.

But in the meantime, landlords in Miami-Dade will be able to benefit from a program, that uses COVID federal aid, to receive up to three months of past-due rent per unit, with a maximum of $5,000 per unit.

The program to aid landlords and tenants financially can be accessed through the Miami-Dade County COVID-19 Relief Program website where landlords can apply on their tenant’s behalf. 

However, they must meet a series of requirements for their application to be successful such as owning five or fewer rental properties or having past rent money pending that still has not been paid or reimbursed by any other source.

Also, properties must be located in Miami-Dade County, the current income of the tenant has to be at or below 120% Area Median Income (AMI), and the tenant’s current income must follow any job loss or income reduction due to COVID-19.

Proof of rent must be provided showing that rent was current as of February 2020.