TAMPA, Fla. — Starting Tuesday, Hillsborough County residents can begin applying for rental assistance.

The county, along with the City of Tampa, received $28 million in additional funding to help renters in need of financial aid.

What You Need To Know

The emergency rental assistance program will be granted on a case-by-case basis.

The program aims to prevent recipients from experiencing further financial hardship or additional consequences to living conditions by providing eligible and approved households financial assistance for rent and TECO electric bills.

The funds are for payment towards rent and electric bills, if applicable. Funding must be applied to the months approved by the program. If you are registered and your tenant is approved for funding, you will receive the payments directly. Payments for electric bills will be handled directly through TECO.

Rental assistance provided can be up to 12 months of past-due rent from March 13, 2020 or later, per household. It may also cover up to three months of prospective rental payments, which is considered on a case-by-case basis if applicable. Additional fees, such as late fees, will also be considered for eligible past due months of approval.

If an approved tenant received previous shelter assistance from the County or another program for a month that remains past due, the program will not be able to duplicate the eligibility payment for that month(s).

Rental Assistance Provided:

  • Past-Due Rent: Can be up to 12 months of past-due rent from March 13, 2020 or later, per household. It may also cover up to three months of prospective rental payments, which is considered on a case-by-case basis, if applicable. Additional fees, such as late fees, will also be considered for eligible past due months of approval.
  • Prospective Rent: Can be up to three months of future rent if struggling with housing instability, which is considered unable or will be unable to stay current with rent, or have been or may again be at risk of eviction