Updated: 8:45 AM EDT May 14, 2021
Orlando will once again open their online portal for Emergency Rental Assistance Program on Tuesday.The portal to help households that have been financially impacted by COVID-19 opens at 8 a.m. on May 18.If you’re in the City of Orlando, you can apply by visiting here: Orlando.gov/assistance. The program is funded with $8.6 million in COVID-19 relief funds from the U.S. Department of Treasury.To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements: Have experienced financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 outbreakInclude one or more individuals at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instabilityHave a household income at or below 80% of the area median income (which for a family of four is $61,050)With priority given to households at or below 50% of the area median income (which for a family of four is $38,150) or that have a household member who has been unemployed for 90 daysApplicants will need to submit proof of occupancy in the rental residence – this can include a copy of a lease, rental agreement, rent receipts, evidence of regular rental payments, or any other documents that show proof of occupancy.The City of Orlando’s program also has the following additional eligibility requirements and program guidelines including:Applicants’ rental residence must be located within the Orlando city limits. (Applicants can verify their address at orlando.gov/assistance)Applicants can apply for past due rent and current month rent (up to 12 months) with monthly rent not exceeding $4,000 per monthRental assistance payments will be made directly to the landlordAssistance with utility payments will not be provided unless the utilities are billed as part of the lease