Quick answer
Florida has no open statewide rent relief application. OUR Florida, the pandemic program, closed to new applications in May 2022 after it ran out of funds, and the federal Emergency Rental Assistance program behind it ended September 30, 2025. Today, the main Florida rent relief program is SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership), which Florida Housing funds in all 67 counties and 55 cities and which can include tenant assistance for rent and deposits through your local SHIP office. For emergency help this month, dial 211; for ongoing help, apply for a Housing Choice Voucher. Applying is free.
Key facts
- OUR Florida is closed. Applications stopped in May 2022; the program later reported it had fully obligated all funds. The OURFlorida.com domain no longer resolves.
- The federal ERA2 period of performance ended September 30, 2025, so no state can fund new pandemic-style rent relief.
- SHIP sends state money to every Florida county and 55 cities for affordable housing, including “tenant assistance (rent, deposits),” run by local SHIP offices.
- SHIP targets: at least 30% of funds for very-low-income households (up to 50% of area median income) and 30% for low-income (up to 80% AMI); the rest can serve up to 140% AMI.
- No real program charges a fee to apply.
Table of contents
Is the Florida rent relief program (OUR Florida) still open?
No. OUR Florida was the state’s federally funded emergency rental assistance program, launched in May 2021 through the Florida Department of Children and Families for renters earning up to 80% of area median income with a pandemic hardship. In early May 2022 DCF announced it would stop taking applications, urging people to apply before May 12, 2022, with the goal of obligating all remaining funds by May 27, as CBS News Miami reported. The program later stated it had fully obligated all state funds and could not provide further rent or utility assistance, per First Coast News. As of October 2026, the OURFlorida.com address no longer resolves at all.
The federal source has ended too: the U.S. Treasury states that the ERA2 period of performance closed on September 30, 2025, on its Emergency Rental Assistance page.
Watch out: several sites still present “OUR Florida” or “Florida rent relief” application forms. Any that ask for a fee, a gift card, or your bank login are scams. The real programs below never charge.
What is SHIP and can it pay my rent?
The State Housing Initiatives Partnership is Florida’s permanent affordable-housing program. Florida Housing Finance Corporation describes it as money sent to local governments “as an incentive” to produce and preserve affordable housing for very-low-, low-, and moderate-income families, distributed to all 67 counties and 55 cities. Each local government runs its own SHIP plan, and the eligible uses listed by Florida Housing include emergency repairs, rehabilitation, down payment help, and tenant assistance (rent, deposits), according to the SHIP program page.
| SHIP rule | What it means for renters |
|---|---|
| At least 30% of funds for very-low-income households (up to 50% of AMI) | The lowest incomes get first priority |
| At least 30% for low-income households (up to 80% of AMI) | Working families often qualify |
| Remaining funds may serve up to 140% of AMI | Mostly homeownership help, not rent |
| Run by county and city SHIP offices | Rules, amounts, and whether rent help is offered differ by place |
Not every county uses SHIP for rent; many focus on repairs and down payments. Find your local SHIP office through the “How to contact a local SHIP office” link on Florida Housing’s site, or ask 211 whether your county’s SHIP plan includes rental or deposit assistance this year. Income limits for each county are published on Florida Housing’s income limits page.
What other rent help exists in Florida?
- 211. Florida’s 211 network connects you to county emergency funds, charities, and shelters, and every call is confidential. Start at 211.org or dial 2-1-1.
- County emergency assistance. Many Florida counties run their own emergency rent and utility programs (often called ERAP or Emergency Assistance) through human services departments; funding opens and closes during the year.
- Charities. Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, and United Way partners pay landlords directly, usually once, after an appointment.
- Homelessness prevention (ESG). HUD’s Emergency Solutions Grants fund homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing through local nonprofits, per HUD Exchange; reach them through coordinated entry via 211.
- Housing Choice Vouchers. Ongoing rent subsidy through your county or city housing authority; waiting lists open and close, so apply to every list you qualify for.
- Utility help to free up cash. Florida’s LIHEAP is delivered through local agencies; find yours at EnergyHelp.us or 1-866-674-6327. HHS notes LIHEAP never charges a fee.
- Disaster help. After a hurricane, FEMA Individual Assistance and Florida Housing’s disaster programs may cover temporary housing; see our disaster relief guide.
What if I already have an eviction notice?
- Act within the notice period. Florida evictions move quickly once filed, and you must respond to the court on time to be heard.
- Get free legal help. Florida legal aid organizations represent low-income tenants at no cost; ask 211 for the one covering your county.
- Get the landlord’s written agreement to accept a payment from a charity or county fund and dismiss the case; agencies pay faster when it exists.
- Bring documents: lease, notice or court papers, ID, proof of income, and the landlord’s contact details.
How do I apply, step by step?
- Dial 211 and ask for every open rent program in your county, including whether the local SHIP office offers tenant assistance this year.
- Contact your local SHIP office and ask about rental or deposit assistance and the income limits.
- Apply for a Housing Choice Voucher with your county or city housing authority.
- Lower other bills: apply for SNAP (estimate with our SNAP calculator) and LIHEAP, and for families with children, Florida’s Temporary Cash Assistance through the Department of Children and Families.
Applying is free. SHIP offices, 211, housing authorities, DCF, charities, and legal aid never charge to apply.
For more specifics, see our guides on emergency rent relief by state and LIHEAP in Florida.
Related guides
- Programs that help pay rent
- Immediate hotel vouchers for people who are homeless
- Hardship grants for individuals
- Housing help: vouchers, affordable housing, and paths to owning
Frequently asked questions
Is the Florida rent relief program still accepting applications?
No. OUR Florida stopped taking applications in May 2022 and ran out of funds, and the federal program behind it ended in 2025. Rent help now comes from local SHIP offices, county funds, charities, and Housing Choice Vouchers.
Can SHIP pay my rent in Florida?
It can in counties that include tenant assistance (rent and deposits) in their SHIP plan. Each county and city decides, so contact your local SHIP office or ask 211.
Who do I call for rent help in Florida?
Dial 211. It connects you to county emergency funds, charities, homelessness prevention programs, and legal aid in your area.
What are the income limits for Florida rent assistance?
SHIP targets households up to 50% and 80% of area median income, and other local funds use similar limits. Exact figures vary by county and are published by Florida Housing.
Is there emergency cash for rent in Florida?
Families with children can apply for Temporary Cash Assistance through the Department of Children and Families. One-time rent payments come from charities and county funds found through 211.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on October 24, 2026. If a source and this page ever disagree, follow the source.
- Florida Housing Finance Corporation: SHIP program
- U.S. Treasury: Emergency Rental Assistance program status
- CBS News Miami (May 2022): Florida to halt applications for rental assistance, quoting DCF
- First Coast News: OUR Florida program out of funds
- HUD Exchange: Emergency Solutions Grants program requirements
- EnergyHelp.us: LIHEAP office search and hotline (HHS)
- 211.org: find your local 211
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice, and not an application. Program funding changes; confirm with the agency that runs the program. National Relief Program is an independent website, not a government agency.
Before you apply: program rules, amounts, and deadlines change. Always confirm details with the official agency or program administrator. Applying for government benefits is free.
National Relief Program is an independent guide, not a government agency. Spotted an error? Email support@nationalreliefprogram.org.
