How to Get Rental Assistance in Jacksonville, FL

Events of the last couple of years have shown that life is unpredictable and full of twists and turns. But should you find yourself unable to make ends meet, you can take advantage of , if you are a resident of the area.

However, while this article focuses on rental assistance for Jacksonville residents, this form of help is not exclusive to this area code but, thanks to DoNotPay, can be easily accessed in other geographical locations as well.

We can help you apply for government rental assistance , ERAP, and other resources for rental relief if you have encountered sudden financial expenses due to job loss, health problems, or other issues that constrain your income.

Programs That Offer Rental Assistance in Jacksonville, FL

Federal, state, and local programs can assist those encountering difficulties with paying rent through .

Emergency Rental Assistance Program	The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is a federal program that sees funds distributed to states and cities to assist households unable to pay their expenses due to Covid-19. Those that qualify for this program have direct payments made to the landlord and JEA on their behalf. ERAP can help pay for up to 12 months of past-due rent and additional utilities to ensure the financial stability of your household as you strive to get a footing following the negative effects of the pandemic.
Section 8 Program	The Housing Choice Voucher Program, popularly known as Section 8, is another federal government initiative that targets low-income people with disabilities and the elderly to ensure they can afford housing. Participants eligible for the program are allowed to select housing that meets the program's requirements, after which they receive rental vouchers to help pay rent. The Public Housing Authority determines the amount each family receives and pays these vouchers to the landlords on the tenant's behalf. The household then covers what remains in rent; households under this program must pay at least 30% of the rent and utilities.
Charities and Local Institutions	There are also churches in Jacksonville, Florida that help with rent. The Catholic Charities assistance provides help to those in need to urgently pay for their rent and utilities to avoid eviction from their living spaces. The Salvation Army Social services is another program offered by a religious institution. The institution offers rent and utility assistance when the funds are available to help individuals with financial challenges.

How Do I Apply for Rent Relief in Jacksonville?

The programs mentioned above each have their eligibility requirements and application processes.

ERAP

To be eligible for this program in Jacksonville, one must:

Have proof of rental arrears or utility balance
Be a resident of the area
Meet the other eligibility requirements outlined in the act

A tenant must provide the following documents when applying for assistance.

A completed application in neighborly software
A government-issued photo ID of the applicant
Proof of reduced or no income
A signed lease of the property
The utility bill

The application process below can be used to apply for ERAP in Jacksonville.

You can apply for assistance online using this website and fill out the required information.
You could also fill out a hard copy of the application form and inquire about the drop sites by contacting the ERAP staff at (904)337-9463 or email.

After applying, you will receive an email from neighborly software providing the date and time your application was received and a link and the case number you will enter to check the status of your application.

Also, check the email you used to apply for updates regarding your application or requests for additional information.

Landlords can also apply and submit applications for funding to cover their residential properties that are in arrears. A landlord must have the following documents to complete their application.

Ledger
W9 form filled out by the landlord that matches the owner of the property

It can take up to 90 or more days to receive assistance under this program since reviewing applications takes time, and some applications may be prioritized over others. Applying online allows for faster processing of your application.

Section 8

The public housing authority has the following considerations to determine whether one is eligible for the program.

Family status - Households with at least one family member aged over 62, at least one member with a documented disability, or a household with many members with or without children can apply for the program. A family remnant in a house that was previously under section 8 assistance also qualifies.
Income - one must also prove that their income is insufficient to cater to rental expenses. Tenants must provide all forms of adjusted household income, including wages, salaries, alimony, welfare benefits, rental income, property income, and other income proceeds.
Citizenship - only US citizens and people with eligible immigration status qualify for this form of rental assistance. You will thus need to provide a US passport or green card if you immigrated into the country. A birth certificate is needed as proof of citizenship for children in the household.
Criminal records - members of a household with no criminal records are better placed to receive assistance from the program. Registered sexual offenders and people found guilty of manufacturing methamphetamine cannot apply for this program. It helps if no household member has been convicted of a crime within the preceding five years.
Eviction history - Applications from tenants that were evicted due to illegal activity within the rented premises or run-ins with the landlord due to failure to pay rent and inability to follow the rules and regulations in the lease agreement will most likely be declined.
Residence status - you can apply only for section 8 residence in Jacksonville if you reside in the area. You might be required to provide documents that prove your current residency.

Below are the steps to follow when applying for section 8 assistance.

Consult the Jacksonville Housing authority to confirm your eligibility for assistance
Determine whether the area HA has restrictions or preferences
Obtain a copy of the section 8 housing choice vouchers program online, by mail, or from the HA office
Fill out the required information
Submit your submission as per the HA directives
Wait for the HA to process your application- this could take a few months, but you will be notified if you are part of the waiting list or your application has been denied.

Charities and Local Institutions

You must meet the following requirements to qualify for relief from the Catholic charities in Jacksonville.

Encountered a financial setback within the past three months that made it difficult to pay rent or fulfill other basic needs
You are one or more months behind on rent.
Received a three-day eviction notice

Call 904-638-2112 or 866-367-7783 to be interviewed for assistance, or call 904-354-4846 to see if you qualify.

Salvation Army social services may also require proof of financial crises, after which you can give them a call at 904-356-8641 to request help.

Challenges You Will Encounter When Applying for Rental Relief on Your Own

Applying for rental relief is not exactly a walk in the park. You have to check the eligibility requirements to determine whether you qualify for assistance, assuming you know where to get assistance in the first place. In the case of the Housing Choice Voucher, you may even research all the eligibility requirements, only to find out later that the waiting list is full.

The local charities and nonprofits, on the other hand, may prove unreliable due to a shortage of resources or the fact that they offer help on a first-come, first-served basis.

You, therefore, need a service that will make the process of getting rental relief. DoNotPay's Rental Assistance product was curated with you exactly in mind.

Get Rent Assistance in Jacksonville With the Help of DoNotPay

Follow the steps below to find help with your rent using our service.

Search for Rental Assistance on DoNotPay.
Put together a list of your income, debts, expenses, and assets. If you need help accessing information like your credit report, DoNotPay can help you get your report.
Let DoNotPay collect your basic information and compose a letter to your local housing authority requesting rental assistance.
Lastly, DoNotPay will send your letter to your local housing authority.