St. Lucie County Rental and Mortgage Assistance

Rental and Mortgage Assistance Available to St. Lucie County, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce and St. Lucie Village Residents

 

There is more than $9,921,487 in financial assistance available to St. Lucie County residents through two programs to help renters and owner-occupied households, who have been negatively, financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding is being provided through a partnership effort between St. Lucie County and the City of Port St. Lucie. St. Lucie County is contributing $4,436,447 to residents of Fort Pierce, St. Lucie Village and other unincorporated areas of the County and the City of Port St. Lucie is contributing $5,485,040 in assistance to residents of Port St. Lucie.

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 in arrears (past due) and the current month due at the time the application is approved, with proof of current or past due bills.

The Mortgage Assistance Program provides up to 12 months of financial assistance that can be used towards mortgage (past due, current month, or up to three months of future assistance, not exceeding a total of 12 months) if funding is available, and utilities. Applicants requesting utility assistance can only request for utilities in arrears (past due) 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. Individuals and households residing in St. Lucie County and its municipalities may apply for the Mortgage Assistance Program.

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.

For more information about these programs, including qualifications and to apply, visit www.recoverstlucie.org.

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. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program is subject to change based upon guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department.

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