How to Qualify for Rental Assistance in Florida
Florida families with very low incomes, as well as some elderly or disabled residents, may qualify for rental help under the Housing Choice Voucher Program. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds this program, but local Florida Public Housing Authority (PHA) offices are responsible for accepting applications to the program and granting vouchers. If you qualify, your PHA office will supply your Housing Choice Voucher funds directly to the landlord of your rental property. This program is designed to allow families in need to live in the rental property of their choice without having to use subsidized housing.
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Instructions
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Contact your local PHA to find out whether it is accepting applications. In most cases, you can apply for Housing Choice Vouchers only when your local PHA office has an open waiting list. If the waiting list is closed, you will need to wait until it is open to apply. You can find out whether your local PHA has an open Housing Choice Voucher waiting list by checking its website or contacting it directly. If necessary, you can contact multiple PHAs until you find one with an open waiting list. You can find a list of Florida PHAs in Resources.
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Apply to have your name added to the PHA waiting list. If your PHA has an open waiting list, you must add your name to it to be considered for Housing Choice Vouchers.
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Submit proof of U.S. citizenship or residency. At least one member of your family must have U.S. citizenship or eligible U.S. immigration status.
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Pass a criminal background check. You and all of your family members must have no violent or drug-related convictions for the last five years.
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Provide proof of income and assets. Your family income must fall below the set poverty threshold for your area of Florida. Thresholds can vary depending on your county or PHA. For example, as of 2010, a four-person family in Broward County must have a total annual income of no more than $39,600 to qualify, but in Boca Raton, a family of four can earn no more than $37,700 per year.
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Find a suitable rental unit. It is up to you to find a unit. The PHA office will have its own set of requirements that the unit must meet, but these requirements generally cover the livability of a unit. For example, the building must meet all local safety codes, be free of excessive graffiti and be generally clean and well-kept.
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