If you are a renter struggling to cover your housing expenses because of the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Lucie County still has funding available through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
St. Lucie County’s Community Services Department has helped more than 60 households providing nearly $400,000 in funding through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA-1) and the Eviction Diversion Program.
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) provides up to 12 months of financial assistance that can be used for rent (past due, current month, or up to three months of future rent, not exceeding a total of 12 months), if funding is available, and utilities. Applicants requesting utility assistance can only request for utilities associated with rental request and the current month due at the time the application is approved, with proof of current or past due bills.
Individuals and households residing in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, St. Lucie Village and other unincorporated areas of St. Lucie County may apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) assistance. For more information about these programs, including qualifications and to apply, visit www.recoverstlucie.org.
To be eligible, residents must qualify for unemployment, or have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs or experienced a financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic on or after April 1, 2020. You must meet additional qualifications based on income and residency.
Households that receive monthly federal subsidy (e.g., Housing Choice Voucher, Section 8 Tenant-Based or Project Based Rental Assistance, etc.) may be eligible to apply, but only for the unsubsidized portion of their monthly rental payment amount. Eligibility determination will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Residents will need a valid e-mail address to register with the Online Neighborly Software portal and click the “Start Application” tab on the St. Lucie County Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance home page.
Applications will be accepted until the funds are committed. Applications will be prioritized on a weekly basis and reviewed based upon the prioritization criteria.
Applicants who meet the minimum eligibility criteria will be notified by St. Lucie County staff with status of eligibility. Applicants can also sign into the Online Neighborly Software portal and check the status of their application. Please check your e-mail frequently for communications from Neighborly Software or ERAP staff.
For residents without access to computers, all St. Lucie County Branch Libraries offer free access to computers, as well as assistance setting up an email account and creating an application. Residents can call the St. Lucie County Library staff at 772-462-1615.
Additional assistance can be found by calling the ERAP Public Information Line at 772-462-1705 or by e-mailing ERAP@stlucieco.org.
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program is subject to change based upon guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department. This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number ERA0285 awarded to St. Lucie County by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
