Unable to pay rent in Miami-Dade? Apply for a new rent relief program

DORAL, FL – From July 14 through July 17, the Miami-Dade Housing Department will receive applications from low-income families seeking aid from a new rent relief program.

The $10 million program, approved by the County Commission on Thursday, is aimed at low-income families that earn less than $73,100 for a family of four. The average payout will likely be between $900 and $1,000, as reported by the Miami Herald.

Online applications will be received starting at 9 a.m. on July 14 through 5 p.m. of July 17. Candidates for the program can also use paper applications available at locations listed on the agency’s website, but the  recommendation is to apply online whenever it’s possible to avoid the spread of the coronavirus. 

The $10 million comes from the county’s $474 million allotment of federal COVID relief from the CARES Act. The legislation by sponsor Eileen Higgins requires the dollars be distributed equally among the 13 commission districts.

According to the Herald, Miami-Dade expects a “flood of applications” in a time of economic crisis due to the coronavirus that has many families juggling to make end meets. Luckily, many of those families are being able to remain in their homes with the freeze on evictions for non-payment that are still in place. 

“The need has only risen,” said Alana Greer, director of Miami’s Community Justice Project to the Miami Herald. “If the other programs are any indicator, I imagine it will be filled within a day or two, possibly shorter.”

Once applications exceed demand, the Housing Department plans a lottery in each district.