Here’s where Miami residents can go to get help paying the mortgage or rent
The city of Miami is offering grants for homeowners who are behind on their mortgage payments due to economic hardship brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. A separate relief program for renters facing eviction is also accepting applications.
For the mortgage assistance program, eligible homeowners must live in their homes within Miami city limits and have a homestead exemption. Qualified owners can receive one-time payments of up to $6,000 directly to the bank or lender. The grants can pay for principal, interest, taxes and insurance between March 1 and Dec. 30, 2020.
The mortgage assistance program is funded by $1 million in coronavirus relief funds from the state of Florida. The city started accepting applications Aug. 17 and will close the program Nov. 30 or when all of the funds are committed.
As of Sept. 31, the city has approved six applications, with payouts of $18,000. Another 50 applications are being processed, and 56 have been rejected. About $1 million remains unspent, according to figures provided by the city’s department of housing and community development.
The eviction prevention program, open since Aug. 3, provides a one-time payment of up to $3,500 to renters inside city limits who are behind on rent and face eviction. To fund the rental assistance, city commissioners recently redirected $300,000 from an untapped grant program meant to help displaced West Grove residents stay inside city limits. Officials said the program was untenable because of an unaffordable housing market and income disparities.
Applications for the rental assistance program are open through Sept. 11. As of Sept. 1, the city has approved about $103,000 worth of assistance for 37 applicants. Fifteen were still being processed, and 76 applications were rejected. About $202,600 has not been spent.
For both programs, the property must be located inside the city of Miami. The property’s folio number must begin with 01. To check if your property is in the city of Miami, use the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser’s website: https://www.miamidade.gov/pa/property_search.asp.
Application packets for either program must be submitted in one sealed envelope, either through U.S. Mail to the P.O. Box noted on the application form, or in a lobby drop box at the city’s housing department office, 14 NE 1st Ave., Miami, FL 33132. The drop box is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Requirements and how to apply for mortgage assistance
▪ The application is available for download in English, Spanish and Creole at https://www.miamigov.com/Residents/Housing
▪ Assistance is limited to households at or below 120% of the area median income. For a one-person household, the income limit for an eligible homeowner is $76,808. For a four-person household, the limit is $109,680. A table with more information on income limits is available on the city’s website. https://www.miamigov.com/Residents/Housing/Income-Limits-for-Housing-Applications.
▪ Qualified applicants must be current on their mortgage through March 1, 2020.
▪ Paper applications are also available at Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) offices across Miami. Dial 311 for hours and directions.
▪ The application requires a series of documents, including a simple deed in the applicant’s name and a current mortgage statement indicating arrears.
Requirements and how to apply for rental assistance
▪ The application is available for download in English, Spanish and Creole on the city’s housing website.
▪ Assistance is limited to households at or below 80% of the area median income. For a one-person household, the income limit for an eligible homeowner is $51,200. For a four-person household, the limit is $73,100. A table with more information on income limits is available on the city’s website.
▪ Renters must provide a series of documents with the application, including a three-day eviction notice from the landlord, proof of income and a copy of the lease.
▪ Renters must consult with their landlords to gather supporting documents to apply for assistance. The money would be paid directly to the qualified renter’s landlord. Landlords can opt to not participate.
This story was originally published September 3, 2020 at 3:26 PM.
