Georgia residents may be able to get help paying past-due rent, preventing eviction, accessing emergency housing, and covering utility bills and other housing-related expenses. In Florida, rental assistance is primarily managed at the county and city levels—rather than through a single state program—since major federal pandemic-relief funds have expired.
General state and national resources
2-1-1 Service: Dial 211 or visit 211.org to contact your local community helpline. They maintain the most up-to-date lists of active funds from local churches, non-profits, and county short-term assistance programs.
HUD Housing Counselors: Speak with a local expert by calling the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at (800) 569-4287 for guidance on avoiding eviction and finding subsidized housing.
The Salvation Army: Local branches offer emergency assistance for rent and utility bills. Find the nearest office through The Salvation Army USA.
Local county and city programs
Since funding changes frequently and depends on where you live, check with the specific department in your local government:
Orange County
The main Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), funded by federal pandemic grants, has officially closed. Instead, rental assistance is now provided through local county budgets and regional non-profit organizations.
1. Government Programs
Orange County Crisis Assistance Program: This program offers one-time emergency financial aid to cover past-due rent or utility bills. To qualify, you must demonstrate that you are experiencing temporary financial hardship (such as an unexpected medical bill or job loss).
Contact: Call 407-836-6500 to begin the mandatory assessment process.
Office location: 2100 East Michigan Street, Orlando, FL 32806.
Orange County Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8): This is a long-term federal subsidy program administered by the Housing and Community Development Division. It is important to note that its waiting list rarely opens, and new applications are not currently being accepted.
2. Major local non-profit and charitable programs
Local organizations are often faster than government offices at distributing smaller amounts of emergency rent assistance (between $1,000 and $2,000):
Christian Service Center: Offers a stabilization fund providing up to $1,000 in rent assistance to local residents. You must have active household income, and your accumulated debt cannot exceed one month’s rent. Learn more at the Christian Service Center portal.
Catholic Charities of Central Florida: Manages a Family Stability Program that offers emergency financial assistance combined with mandatory case management. You can check current fund availability on the Catholic Charities Central Florida website.
Heart of Florida United Way: Manages the local social safety net infrastructure. By dialing 2-1-1, you will be connected to a specialist who identifies which local church or charity has active funds available for your specific zip code.
Osceola County
Osceola County, Florida, actively manages several local government housing grants and community partnerships. Rental assistance programs are highly segmented based on whether you reside within the Kissimmee city limits or in unincorporated areas of the county (such as Poinciana or St. Cloud).
1. Programs for unincorporated county areas (outside Kissimmee city limits)
If your residence is located in the county but outside the Kissimmee city limits, resources are managed through the Osceola County Housing and Community Services Office:
Emergency Rental Assistance (CDBG): Provides funds to cover up to two or three months of past-due rent for households at risk of eviction.
Rules: Your income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), and you must demonstrate clear, temporary financial hardship as well as a path to recovery. If you owe more than two months of rent, you must pay the difference yourself before the county disburses the grant to your landlord.
Contact: Call 407-742-8414 or email rentalhelp@osceola.org.
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA): This long-term program offers rental subsidies for up to 24 months, primarily targeting low-income seniors and households at imminent risk of homelessness.
Application Period: The application portal opens for a very brief window, from September 1 to September 6, 2026. Applications are processed via a lottery system through the Osceola County TBRA portal.
SHIP Assistance for Moving and Deposits: If you are seeking a new rental but lack funds for upfront costs, this program covers security and utility deposits. You must obtain a formal referral from a local case manager and complete a financial education course through the local extension office. Call 407-742-8400 for information.
2. City of Kissimmee Residents
If your residence is located strictly within the Kissimmee city limits, you generally cannot access the county programs mentioned above.
Kissimmee Eviction Prevention Assistance: Administered by the City’s Housing Division, this program connects city tenants with specific local grant funds.
Application: You must submit an online pre-qualification questionnaire via the City of Kissimmee website before scheduling an in-person initial assessment appointment. Contact them directly at 407-518-2156.
3. Immediate Funds from Non-Profits and Charitable Organizations
Non-profit organizations are your best option if local government waiting lists are moving slowly or are closed:
The Salvation Army of Osceola County: Offers local emergency rental vouchers and assistance with electricity bills. Located at 700 Union Street, Kissimmee, FL 34741; Call 407-944-9968 Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Hope Partnership: Coordinates a quick-reference guide to local crisis resources and serves as the county’s primary hub for homelessness prevention. Visit their Hope Commons office at 122 West Sproule Avenue, Kissimmee, FL.
Osceola Council on Aging: Offers rental resources aimed primarily at seniors or multigenerational households. Call 407-846-8532 (phone lines for initial assessment open on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m.).
Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County, Florida, actively addresses the housing crisis through a specialized regional system of assistance and advocacy. Although the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)—largely funded by the federal government—is no longer accepting applications, local budget allocations, eviction prevention hotlines, and various non-profit organizations offer immediate avenues for assistance.
1. County Government Resources & Advocacy
Housing Advocacy Office (OHA): This central resource hub handles matters regarding tenant rights and landlord disputes, while also connecting families with short-term emergency funds. If your landlord threatens eviction, the office’s case managers will help you navigate available emergency options.
Contact information: Call the Housing Advocacy hotline at 786-469-4545 or email housingadvocacy@miamidade.gov.
Office address: 701 Northwest 1st Court, Miami, FL 33136.
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA): Administered by the Department of Public Housing and Community Development, this program offers short- and medium-term vouchers to individuals facing economic displacement, elderly residents, or those experiencing chronic homelessness. Under this program, the county covers a portion of the rent, and you contribute 30% of your adjusted monthly income.
Emergency Housing Assistance (For County Employees): If you work directly for Miami-Dade County, you may access an exclusive emergency benefit. This program allows for a one-time cash-out of up to $12,000 in accrued annual leave, specifically to cover past-due rent or mortgage payments.
2. Immediate emergency funds from non-profit organizations
When county programs have waiting lists, community-based non-profit organizations offer faster crisis intervention:
Camillus House Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP): This program focuses specifically on keeping families in their homes before an eviction leads to homelessness. They provide short-term emergency funds to pay past-due rent and cover critical basic bills, such as utilities. Contact: Call the dedicated homelessness prevention hotline at 305-374-1065.
Catholic Charities (Caritas) of the Archdiocese of Miami: Offers emergency financial assistance to residents facing an active crisis. To qualify, you must demonstrate clear, temporary financial hardship and present an official past-due payment notice or a 3-day eviction notice.
Contact: Call 305-573-3333 or visit the intake office at 3620 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33127.
Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County, Florida, operates a highly structured, cyclical rental assistance system governed by specific online application periods. Because available funds are limited, the county strictly opens and closes its digital portals according to an established schedule.
1. County Government Assistance
Palm Beach County (PBC) Rental and Relocation Assistance Program: Administered by the Palm Beach County Department of Community Services, this program offers short-term aid to cover past-due rent or initial move-in costs.
Application Period: The application portal will accept new requests starting Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. Slots are extremely limited and are processed strictly on a first-come, first-served basis.
Key Requirements: Households must document a financial crisis (such as unexpected expenses or loss of income), have total household assets of less than $3,000, and include an elderly person, a person with a disability, or children under the age of 18. Additionally, the household must not have received rental assistance from any local agency within the past 12 months.
How to apply: Create an account and upload your documents to Palm Beach County’s OSCARRS portal. For assistance or an initial telephone assessment, call the county line at 561-355-4792 or 833-CSD-WILL.
2. Major municipal programs
If you reside within the limits of certain cities, you may be able to bypass general county waiting lists and access local municipal funds:
City of Delray Beach: Periodically offers specific local funds for eviction prevention. Inquiries should be directed to the City of Delray Beach’s Neighborhood and Community Services office.
City of West Palm Beach: Manages local housing stabilization grants through the West Palm Beach Housing Authority, which administers thousands of active Section 8 housing vouchers and immediate assistance programs.
3. Immediate assistance from non-profits and faith-based organizations
Non-profit organizations do not rely on specific county portal dates and can issue emergency checks quickly if they have remaining monthly funds:
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach: Operates an assistance program for the hungry and homeless. They provide direct financial aid for rent and utilities in emergency situations to halt ongoing eviction proceedings. Call 561-775-9560 or check the intake process on the Catholic Charities (CCDPB) website.
The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County: Offers immediate emergency rent assistance and utility vouchers. To begin the process, an appointment is required at their main center, located at 2100 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL.
Tampa
Rental assistance in Tampa and the surrounding Hillsborough County is strictly divided based on whether you live within city limits or in unincorporated areas of the county.
1. Tampa City Limits (RMAP)
If your rental home is located strictly within the Tampa city limits, the municipal government administers the specialized Rental and Moving Assistance Program (RMAP).
Moving and Past-Due Rent Assistance: RMAP Phase X offers up to $10,000 per household to cover initial moving costs (first month’s rent, last month’s rent, and security deposits) or up to two months of past-due rent.
Eligibility requirements: You must have stable household income demonstrating your ability to pay rent long-term, and your income must be at or below 140% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Section 8 or HCV voucher holders may apply for assistance solely for the security deposit.
How to Apply: Applications are accepted online only on Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. via the City of Tampa’s RMAP portal. In-person applications are not accepted. For general information, call the Housing Information Line at 813-307-5555.
2. Hillsborough County Programs (Outside Tampa Limits)
If you reside outside city limits (for example, in Brandon, Riverview, or Lutz), your application is processed through county services:
Hillsborough Department of Social Services: Offers emergency assistance for rent and utility payments, with funds paid directly to the landlord to prevent eviction. The housing unit must pass a mandatory safety inspection to verify compliance with building codes before the county issues payment.
How to apply: Call the county’s central helpline at 813-272-5220 or use the “Help Me, Hillsborough” online assessment tool to locate the nearest Community Resource Center.
