Through the American Rescue Plan (ARP), housing help is available to individuals and families who experienced unemployment, reduction of income, significantly increased expenses, or other financial hardship during or due directly or indirectly to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The program provides financial assistance to pay rent, mortgage or utility bills. This does not mean an applicant had to have contracted COVID to be eligible. Also available, if qualified and approved, is arrearage or paying past due bills up to March 13, 2020. You must have been current on your rent, mortgage and/or utility accounts as of March 13, 2020. Arrearage and prospective payments are available up to the maximum of $25,000 per applicant.
Applicants who reside in subsidized housing or otherwise rent or are homeowners may be eligible if your income does not exceed 140% of the area median income (AMI) as identified in the chart below. Both renters and homeowners may receive assistance with arrearage or future rent, utility or mortgage payments. If you reside in subsidized housing and assistance is awarded, it will only be for the tenant portion of rent and utilities that is not paid by other rental assistance.
All persons that experienced financial hardship since the onset of the coronavirus outbreak and who have a total gross income that falls within the limits in the table below are encouraged to apply. County staff review eligibility and allocation of funding on a case-by-case basis.
**Please refer to the income chart below.**
Applicants must prove loss of income, *housing instability or other financial hardship occurred during or was due directly or indirectly from the COVID-19 outbreak. Remember, this does not mean an applicant had to contract the coronavirus.
Required documentation may include ONE of the following:
- Verification of Unemployment filing since March 1, 2020, if applicable
- 2020 or 2021 tax return, signed and dated
- A letter from employer verifying a reduction in hours, pay-rate, number of shifts, or business closure, if applicable
- Copies of pay stubs before and after COVID-19 outbreak, if applicable
- Other supporting documentation that proves your financial hardship, determined case-by-case
- Photo ID (government issued) for all persons in the household over the age of 18
- US Citizenship for one adult household member
• Required citizenship documentation may include ONE of the following:
- Birth Certificate
- Passport
- Naturalization Certificate
- Social Security Card
- Legal Resident Card
- Mortgage statement including coupon
- Collier County resident
- Driver’s License or other government issued photo ID
- If ID has a different address, we need a copy of your utility bill showing your name and current address
- Application must be signed and dated by applicant and co-applicant (if applicable)
- Duplication of benefits certification must be signed and dated by applicant and co-applicant (if applicable)
- Release of information must be signed and dated by applicant and co-applicant (if applicable)
- Other documents that are necessary to process a complete application for assistance, such as housing instability documentation (past due utility bill, eviction notice, code report, inspection report, etc.)
*Housing instability is when one or more individuals within the household demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, which may include (i) a past due utility or rent notice or eviction notice, (ii) unsafe or unhealthy living conditions, or (iii) any other evidence of risk, as determined by the grantee.
Applications are open Thursday, October 5, at 12 p.m. through Monday, October 16, at 12 a.m. Apply through the online portal if you feel you qualify for assistance through the American Recovery Plan. Upon receipt of a completed application, County staff will begin the review process. Applications will be returned to applicant or rejected if all required documents are not submitted. Details about the program, documentation and application process are available on the Frequently Asked Questions page.
English
Haitian Creole
Spanish