Disaster Assistance Programs

All programs will remain available on a first-apply, first-qualify basis until funds are exhausted. All programs require income qualifications based on the income table below.

Do you need help purchasing homeowners and/or flood insurance because you didn’t have it when the declared emergency struck? If so, grants to purchase policies are available to qualified applicants.

Individuals and families who need help purchasing homeowners or flood insurance may qualify for a grant to pay for new, cost-effective policies through Hurricane Housing Recovery funding. Preliminary screening includes the following:

• Resident must have occupied their primary residence on September 28, 2022 (Hurricane Ian) and sustained damage or been displaced from their homes due to one of the previously mentioned declared disasters.

OR

• Individuals and families that have had a financial loss due to one of the mentioned declared disasters and continue to reside in this residence.

Automatic disqualification includes:

• Manufactured homes built before 1994 will not qualify for this program.
• Mortgages that require you to maintain a homeowners or flood insurance policy in your escrow payments.

Eligibility requirements include:

1. The applicant’s (resident’s) home must be homesteaded in the county and the property’s market value cannot exceed $748,836, according to the Collier County Property Appraiser’s website.
2. The household annual income cannot exceed 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI) as listed in the income table at the top of the page and priority will be given to households with income below (80% of AMI) and/or special needs households for mortgage assistance.
3. Must have been the Collier County Homeowner at the time of the respective disaster, with proof of residency as evidenced by a government issued ID.
4. Property must be your primary residence and homestead, according to the Collier County Property Appraiser’s website, on September 28, 2022; June 11, 2024; August 4, 2024; and currently. Note:  Primary residence dates are respective to which disaster identified during the application process.

The grant funds can be used to purchase a new policy, so long as these expenses have not already been paid for by another assistance program local, state, federal, or private organization. The County does not offer a reimbursement for premiums that have already been paid for by the homeowner/applicant. Funding is available on a first- come, first-qualify (complete application) basis until funds are exhausted.

How to Apply

Applications open August 8 at 12 p.m. To apply, complete an ONLINE Insurance Policy Application. Please create your sign-in prior to scheduling an appointment.  Applicants may also visit the County’s assistance center by appointment by calling 239-450-2114 Monday through Friday during 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The Assistance Center is located in Naples at 2671 Airport Pulling Road South, Suite 203.

For more details about the program, application qualifications and documentation needed, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.

Do you need help paying for your mortgage due to being displaced or financial loss from the declared emergency? If so, grants for mortgage payments up to $25,000 are available per applicant.

Individuals and families who need help paying their mortgage may qualify for a grant up to $25,000. Preliminary screening includes the below:

• Resident must have occupied their primary residence on September 28, 2022 (Hurricane Ian) and sustained damage or have been displaced from their homes due to one of the previously mentioned declared disasters.

OR

• Resident must have had a financial loss due to the declared emergency and continue to hold a mortgage for this residence.

The grant funds can be used for mortgage payments, so long as these expenses have not already been paid for by another assistance program local, state, federal, or private organization. Arrearage available to the date of the declared disaster, or six-month maximum. Households that were displaced or experienced financial hardship due to the declared emergency (i.e., lost car, lost job, etc.) may qualify for up to 12 months of assistance, not to exceed $25,000.

Eligibility requirements include:

1. The applicant must have owned their home on the date of the respective disaster, property must be homesteaded in the county and market value cannot exceed $748,836, according to the Collier County Property Appraiser.
2. Income eligibility restrictions apply. The household annual income cannot exceed 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI) as listed in the income table at the top of the page and priority will be given to households with income below (80% of AMI) and/or special needs households for mortgage assistance.
3. Must be a Collier County resident on the date of the respective Disaster, with proof of residency as evidenced by a government issued ID.
4. The household must have been displaced from their primary home due to the declared emergency OR experienced a financial hardship directly related to the declared emergency.
5. Property must be homestead.
6. Have needs that will not be served or fully met by the FEMA Temporary Shelter Assistance (TSA) Program.
7. One household member 18 years of age or above, must be a Legal U.S. Resident or Eligible non-citizen:
   Required Documentation may include ONE of the following:
   1. Birth Certificate
   2. Passport
   3. Naturalization Certificate
   4. Social Security Card
   5. Legal Resident Card

The County can only pay up to the maximum award of $25,000 towards disaster  assistance. This amount includes any assistance already received under any Hurricane Housing Recovery program (i.e., rent, insurance deductible, insurance policy or hardening); those amounts count towards the maximum $25,000 combined total. (Example: You received rental assistance in the amount of $20,000, you may still qualify for mortgage assistance for the remaining $5,000.00 but cannot exceed the maximum of $25,000 combined total).

How to Apply

Applications are open as of August 1, 2024. To apply, complete an ONLINE Mortgage Application. Applicants may also schedule an in-person appointment after creating an online account,  by calling 239-450-2114 to apply in-person at the Assistance Center located at 2671 Airport Pulling Road South, Suite 203, in Naples. The Assistance Center is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Please remember to save the password and case number in a secure location. This information will be needed to check the application status.

For more details about the program, application qualifications and documentation needed, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.

Do you need help paying your rent? Were you financially impacted from a declared emergency? If so, grants are available to a maximum of $25,000 and can be applied to security deposits.

To qualify for this program, an applicant must be able to demonstrate a direct housing or financial impact from a declared disaster. Applicants may be eligible for up to $25,000 to use towards rent; first, last and security deposits. Applicants must be a current Collier County resident and a resident in a declared disaster area at the time of the declared disaster September 28, 2022 (Hurricane Ian).

Eligibility requirements include:

• Applicants must meet income limits up to 120% AMI with priority given to those under 50% AMI and households with special needs. See income table at the top of the page.
• Applicants cannot be receiving FEMA Temporary Shelter Assistance or loss of use benefits from insurance.
• Applicants currently receiving subsidized housing assistance from another program or provider will be determined case-by-case.
• Arrearage available to the date of the declared disaster, or six-month maximum.

Qualified residents must demonstrate a financial consequence from the declared emergency such as:

• Homeowner’s residence was damaged and now renting. You may choose to apply for rent or mortgage assistance. For households that are displaced or sustained damages to their home, they may qualify for up to the maximum of $25,000.00.
• Applicant’s car was ruined, requiring purchase of a new or used vehicle which is resulting in financial hardship to pay rent.  For households that were displaced or experienced financial hardship due to the declared emergency (i.e., lost car, lost job, etc.), they may qualify for up to 12 months of assistance, not to exceed $25,000.
• Employer or place of employment was destroyed or otherwise job loss was incurred due to the declared emergency and resulted in financial hardship paying rent.  For households that were displaced or experienced financial hardship due to the declared emergency (i.e., lost car, lost job, etc.), they may qualify for up to 12 months of assistance, not to exceed $25,000.

A complete list of all the applicant requirements and documentation needed to apply can be found on the FAQs page.

How to Apply

The applications are open. To apply, complete an ONLINE Rental Application or schedule an in-person appointment by calling 239-450-2114 to apply in-person at the Assistance Center located at 2671 Airport Pulling Road South, Suite 203, in Naples. The Assistance Center is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If applying online, please remember to save the password and case number in a secure location. This information will be needed to check the application status.

For assistance with applications or more information about these programs, call the Collier County Community and Human Services office at (239) 450-2114 or dial 311.

For assistance with applications or more information about these programs, call the Collier County Community and Human Services office at (239) 450-2114 or dial 311.