UPDATE: Rent, Mortgage & Utility Assistance Available through Escambia CARES Program

UPDATE (Sept. 1, 2020): Eligibility requirements as required by the State of Florida:

1. Is your combined annual household income below the 120% area median income level? (see chart below)
2. Are you delinquent on your rent, mortgage and/or utility payments? (utilities include electric, natural gas, propane, water, sewer, and trash). Please note – Documented evidence required.
3. Are you a resident living in Escambia County?
4. Do you have proof of loss of employment income or reduction of employment income due to COVID-19 impacts on or after March 1, 2020?
IF YOU ANSWERED “NO” TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS, UNFORTUNATELY, YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ESCAMBIA COUNTY CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND RENT, MORTGAGE, AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE.

Rent and Mortgage Assistance Grant Program Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: I need assistance with utilities only. Can you provide assistance?
A: The funding is intended for foreclosure and eviction prevention. Utility assistance can only be provided in conjunction with mortgage or rent assistance. Utility assistance can be provided if your lease specifically requires maintenance of utilities and could be a cause for eviction. If you need utility assistance ONLY, please call 2-1-1 for referrals for utility assistance.

Q: How will I know the county has successfully received my application?
A: You will receive a confirmation number on your screen once you have successfully submitted your application online. You will not receive an email with this confirmation. Please make a note of your confirmation number for future reference.

View the complete list of FAQs on Escambia County's website.

Original press release from Aug. 31, 2020:

Escambia County and the City of Pensacola are jointly participating in the Coronavirus Relief Funds made available by Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Approximately $813,451 will be made available Sept. 1 to assist eligible applicants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with rent, mortgage, and/or utility assistance.

Eligible expenses must occur between March 1, 2020 and Dec. 30, 2020. Maximum assistance will be $3,000 per household and will be paid directly to the landlord, mortgage, or utility company.

General eligibility requirements:

Escambia County resident (including City of Pensacola and Town of Century)
Income adversely impacted by COVID-19
Total household income cannot exceed 120% Area Median Income
This program is for past due rent, mortgage and utilities ONLY

Income requirements are as follows:

Escambia cares rent, mortgage and utility assistance program income requirements: • Household size: 1 Maximum income: $55,440 • Household size: 2 Maximum income: $63,360 • Household size: 3 Maximum income: $71,280 • Household size: 4 Maximum income: $79,080 • Household size: 5 Maximum income: $85,440 • Household size: 6 Maximum income: $91,800 • Household size: 7 Maximum income: $98,160 • Household size: 8 Maximum income: $104,400

Applications will be accepted beginning Sept. 1, 2020 through Sept. 14, 2020 or until funds have been committed. Applications will be available online at 8 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 1 at myescambia.com/CARES. For further information, contact Meredith Reeves at 850-595-1642 or EscambiaCaresRentandMortgage@myescambia.com.

Paper applications will be available at the following locations starting Tuesday, Sept. 1 for citizens who do not have online access:

Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division, 221 Palafox Place, Suite 200 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto St. (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
West Florida Public Library branches

Completed paper applications with attachments should be emailed to EscambiaCaresRentandMortgage@myescambia.com, faxed to 850-595-0342, or dropped off at the Brownsville Community Center or Neighborhood Enterprise Division. Please make sure all attachments are clear and legible. Applicants needing assistance with completing applications should call 850-595-1642 for further guidance.

General information on the program is available at myescambia.com/our-services/neighborhood-human-services/neighborhood-enterprise, by calling 850-595-0872 or emailing EscambiaCaresRentandMortgage@myescambia.com.

For more information or general questions, email pio@cityofpensacola.com. To stay informed about what's happening with City of Pensacola government, sign up for email or text notifications through Notify Me or follow @CityofPensacola on social media.