Citrus County awarded $440,765 in CARES Act, Loss of Employment Funding
This funding has been designated through the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Program and will provide support to Citrus County residents who have suffered loss of employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This program is designed to help with rent or mortgage payments and emergency home repairs (such as roofing or air conditioning, etc.). This program will not issue payments directly to applicants. Instead, payments will be sent directly to the vendors (such as landlords, mortgage companies, or contractors) that are willing to participate in this program and must be able to provide Citrus County with completed W-9s.
The primary requirement of CARES Act funding is that it must be spent on activities necessary due to the COVID-19 emergency for persons who have experienced a hardship that prevents them from making rental or mortgage payments or emergency repairs to their homes.
Any Citrus County resident who has suffered an economic hardship (such as a reduction of or loss of wages) caused directly by COVID-19, and who earns less than 120% of the area median income is eligible to apply.
What can the assistance pay for?
•Rent payment (contingent on landlord acceptance and current lease).
•Mortgage payment for homesteaded residence (contingent on lender acceptance).
•Emergency Home Repairs.
To be eligible for assistance, household members MUST be a resident of Citrus County. Mortgage assistance can only be provided to homesteaded properties. Rent assistance requires a current lease. Eligible residents can start receiving assistance on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 through Friday, December 11, 2020 or until all funds are expended. All CARES Act funds must be fully expended by December 30, 2020.
Applications are now available; for eligibility and more information, please contact Tammy Harris at Tammy.harris@citrusbocc.com or Michelle Alford at Michelle.alford@citrusbocc.com or call them by phone at 352-527-7520.