FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 13, 2021
City of Fort Myers Announces Availability of Housing and Utility Assistance Funds
In Support of Residents Facing Difficult Times
Fort Myers, FL – The City of Fort Myers announces the availability of $4.6 million in funding to provide emergency rent and utility assistance to residents impacted by COVID19. While our community continues to recover from the COVID19 outbreak, the lingering effects of the pandemic are still felt by many. The City has published the Housing Resources Guide 2021 which consolidates information about this and other available housing resources, as well as has placed said resources on the homepage of www.cityftmyers.com in order to facilitate access to those most vulnerable in the community.
“Many of our families are unaware of the help that is out there, and we would like to make this information easily accessible,” said Ward 2 Councilperson Johnny Streets, Jr.
“Sometimes it’s very difficult to navigate through numerous phone numbers and complicated programs. You just don’t know who to call when you risk utilities being turned off or eviction. However, we do have the Emergency Rent and Utility Assistance Program created to assist those renters impacted by COVID19.”
Residents may apply for assistance through the community portal, which is also readily available by clicking on the blue “Housing” button on the homepage of www.cityftmyers.com. Applicants must reside within the City of Fort Myers municipal boundaries before the date of the application and demonstrate a loss of income, job loss or reduction of hours due to COVID19. Renters that live outside of the City’s municipal boundaries may apply for assistance at www.leeflcares.com.
The qualification requirements are as follows:
- If household income is less than 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI) for Lee County (see chart below) the applicant is presumed eligible.
- Households that fall under one or both of the following will be prioritized during processing:
a) Household income is below 50 percent of AMI;
b) One or more persons in the household are unemployed and have not been employed for the last 90 days prior to the application date.
- Households that are receiving housing and/or utility assistance from any other programs cannot also apply for the same months that other assistance is received.
- Households may apply for up to 12 months of assistance.
Income Guidelines Chart Annual household income must be within the limits noted in this chart | |
Number of Person in Household | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Income Level | $40,250 | $46,000 | $51,750 | $57,500 | $62,100 | $66,700 | $71,300 | $75,900 |
NOTICE: Tenants who have applied for and/or received funds for rental or utility assistance through the State of Florida’s OUR Florida program are not able to also receive assistance from the City of Fort Myers or LeeCares. If you have applied for/received assistance through OUR Florida, do not complete this application. Clients who receive assistance from both programs may be required to return duplicated funds. To learn more about the OUR Florida program please visit era.ourflorida.com or call 833-493-0594.
Residents are also encouraged to learn more about the services offered through The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers by visiting www.hacfm.org. The Housing Authority offers various programs including community-based housing, affordable housing, and a housing choice voucher program. This Housing Authority is not part of the City of Fort Myers’ municipal government. Candidates must qualify accordingly.
Florida Rural Legal Services Inc is another resource available to residents, not affiliated with the City of Fort Myers; yet provides pro-bono services for residents in need of housing-related legal advice. Florida Rural Legal Services may be reached at 239-334-4554 ext. 4130.
For more information about the City of Fort Myers housing resources and to access the Housing Resources Guide, please visit www.cityftmyers.com.
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