HOUSING COUNSELING SERVICES
Housing counseling is available to Florida homeowners through Florida’s HAF program. Housing counseling services are provided by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-certified counselors who will assist homeowners in working with their mortgage servicers to prevent foreclosures and remain in their homes. Counselors will also host individual and group educational workshops on topics including financial literacy and the importance of good credit.
You can request housing counseling by clicking on Request Housing Counseling .
ATTENTION FLORIDA HOMEOWNERS
Based on our tremendous outreach to Floridians, we have already received more Tier 1 applicants than funding allocated to FL and we project that we have more total applications (Tier 1 and 2) than can be served.
While this is great news that we will spend all available funds and maximize the number of Floridians served, it would be unfair to continue accepting more applications than can be served. Therefore, the last day for Floridians to complete and submit an application to the Florida HAF program was Friday, August 26, 2022, at 11:59 p.m.
As of September 27, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., all in-person Customer Assistance Centers will be closed. For additional assistance with an existing applicaiton, please contact the HAF Customer Assistance Center at 833-987-8997.
-(1052-420-px)825836a4cbbb61cbb02aff01004f56df.png?sfvrsn=4ee357b0_0 "Florida Homeowner Assistance Fund Dashboard (1052 × 593 px) (1052 × 420 px)")
The Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) is designed to mitigate financial hardships associated with the COVID-19 pandemic by preventing homeowners’ mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, and displacements, as well as by providing assistance with home energy services, internet, property and/or flood insurance, property taxes, and homeowner or condominium association fees.
Established under Section 3206 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, HAF provides $676,102,379 in financial assistance to the state of Florida through the United States Department of the Treasury. DEO has been designated to manage and operate HAF on behalf of the state of Florida.
ADDITIONAL HOUSING EXPENSE ASSISTANCE
For Florida homeowners with unmet needs, other resources are available to assist eligible individuals with utility bills and other homeowner expenses through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).
CSBG
The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program helps income-eligible households meet various needs. The CSBG program may assist with:
- Furniture
- Work Related Items (Tools, etc.)
- Temporary housing
- Transportation; Fuel
- Housing Deposits
- Utility Assistance and Reconnection
- Repair Costs for Electrical Wiring or Gas Lines
- Food and Medical Supplies
LIHEAP
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps income-eligible households with home heating and cooling costs. LIHEAP may assist with:
- Restoration/reconnection of home power
- Utility deposits and late fees
- Temporary housing in a safe environment
- Installation and repair costs for heating/cooling equipment
LIHWAP
The Low-Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) helps income-eligible households with water and wastewater costs. LIHWAP may assist with:
- Restoration/reconnection of water services
- Water and wastewater utility deposits and late fees
- Past due water and wastewater utility bills
- Household water delivery in the absence of a safe drinking water source