Rental Assistance

The Rental Deposit Assistance Program provides funding up to $1,700 to pay rental security and utility deposits on behalf of eligible very low income persons and/or households within Alachua County.

Eligible utility deposits include only provider-mandated deposits for water, sewer, electricity, and gas. Rental Deposit funds may also be used to pay project delivery costs associated with strategy implementation such as inspection fees to ensure the unit meets Section 8 Housing Quality Standards.

To Apply:

At this time, no orientation sessions will be held and applications are no longer being accepted for the SHIP Rental Deposit Program until new funding is available sometime in Fall 2016.

How do I qualify?

Eligible applicants will be approved for assistance subject to funding availability on a first-come, first-qualified, first-served basis using the following criteria:

Applicants must meet income eligibility requirements. Assistance is one-time only per household. Previous participants are not eligible to apply.
Applicants must demonstrate that they can afford the monthly rent and utilities for their selected unit.
Applicants assisted under this strategy must lease, for at least one year, a dwelling unit which meets Section 8 Housing Quality Standards.
The Alachua County Rental Assistance Program assists very-low and extremely-low income households experiencing homelessness. Priority may be granted to qualifying homeless individuals who have special needs. Assistance may include rental security, utility deposits, as well as limited monthly rent subsidies. Funds are available through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP), in accordance with the requirements under Florida Statutues 420.9072(10). Program referrals will be provided based on a prioritization tool utilized by the Continuum of Care.

All applicants must be registered in the North Central Florida Alliance for the Homeless and Hungry (Continuum of Care) and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Applicants seeking homeless services assistance must contact a service provider through the North Central Florida Alliance for the Homeless and Hungry website (https://www.ncfalliance.org/), or call the NCF Alliance for the Homeless and Hungry at (352) 331-2800. All services are subject to funding availability.
Applicants must show proof of residence in Alachua County.
Applicant must be the primary tenant of the dwelling unit to be leased.
Applicant may not be a college student unless employed 25 hours per week or more.
SHIP Qualifing Document

What income category does the Program Serve?

Very low income households will be served.

What utility deposits are eligible?

Eligible deposits include only provider-mandated deposits for water, sewer, electricity, and gas.