City Of Miami: City Disburses First Round Of Federal Funding For Its ERA Program

Miami FL

23 November, 2021

12:35 AM

Description

Press release from the City of Miami: November 22, 2021 View Vaccine, Reopening and General Information You can still find all of our content by using the search bar. Help us improve by giving us your feedback Help us improve by giving us your feedback Published on November 22, 2021 The City of Miami successfully disbursed its entire first allocation of Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program funding from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, issuing just over $12.7 million in direct relief assistance since starting the program in late March. The funds helped 1,280 families in the City who had suffered financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with an average award of approximately $9,900 per household. The assistance went towards housing costs, including past-due rent, future rent and utilities.   "This program has allowed us to stabilize a large number of local households that were hit hard by the pandemic, including those who suffered job loss or were on the verge of eviction," said Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. "The City of Miami is happy to be able to continue distributing relief funding to help our most vulnerable residents." The City has now started implementing its second round of federal funding for the program, known as ERA 2, with a total amount of $22,779,317. In order to qualify for the program, the applicant must: be a renter within City of Miami limits (folios starting with 01); have experienced financial hardship due to, or during, the COVID-19 pandemic; have a household member that demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and, have a household gross income that is 80% Area Median Income (AMI) or below. The second round of ERA funding allows for up to 15 months of assistance to help pay past due rent and/or utilities, up to three months of future rent if needed, and other housing related expenses. Renters are encouraged to apply via the online portal during which they must provide all supporting documents as requested, including (but not limited to): a copy of a current, executed rental lease, proof of income for all members of the household, photo ID for all adult members of household, copies of utility bill if seeking this assistance, etc. Additional documents may be required on a case-by-case basis. Paper applications can be picked up at any of the City's Neighborhood Service Centers.   Program assistance cannot be used to address costs previously addressed via any federal, state, or local assistance provided for the same costs. Residents can call 305-330-1508 with questions, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Please visit www.miamigov.com/ERA-Program for additional details.  80% Area Median Income (AMI) or below online portal Neighborhood Service Centers www.miamigov.com/ERA-Program Dial 311 or 305-468-5900 Miami Riverside Center (MRC) 444 SW 2nd Ave Miami, FL, 33130 This press release was produced by the City of Miami. The views expressed here are the author's own.