Eviction and homeless prevention in Sarasota County
There are two approaches to stopping evictions in Sarasota County. One of them involves the provision of emergency assistance, and that can come in the form of a government grant, free legal aid from local pro-bono lawyers or case management. The second involves reactively rehousing the resident and find details on homeless prevention programs in Sarasota FL.
Both of them are limited and come with many conditions. If the applicant being evicted can't afford to pay their ongoing rent or other housing costs (such as utility bills, maintenance, and even expenses such as food) then it is very difficult to get help. Eviction prevention programs from organizations such as The Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness are therefore limited so it is focused on households that can live independently after the program ends.
Also, Sarasota County agencies will require a family to look for help early. If they have a pay or quit notice from their landlord, then it is often too late. A tenant should seek assistance before they fall into rent arrears. Or if the eviction is the result of unpaid utility or heating bills, they also need to seek help in those cases too.
Financial resources to help prevent an eviction in Sarasota County
Grant money is often used to keep the low income family in their current home. They are often combined together in an effort to help the tenant. For example, money from a grant for paying rent arrears will come with enrollment into a case management process, such as budget classes, job placement, and similar services. Or volunteer lawyers from Legal Aid of Sarasota and Manatee Counties help the tenant that has an eviction notice.
Grants are available as part of the federal government sponsored ESG program. Or money raised from the Sarasota United Way which coordinates rent relief programs in Sarasota County. Non-profits apply for this program each year, and certain agencies will be issued funds. Often the United Way helps oversee this process in Sarasota County as well as local non-profits.
The money can be used for many different housing services, one of which is for rent arrears to stop an eviction. Other uses of the ESG money can be to pay for shelters, transitional housing, legal aid, and more. Those are often short term programs used to give the family time to save money and gain self-sufficiency. Each non-profit will decide on their own how to allocate the funds, but one of the major uses is for eviction prevention.
Tenants across Sarasota can apply for a grant. There will be a strict application process in place. While the terms and conditions of each organization will vary, generally they want proof of income, identification for all household members, details on the hardship causing the eviction, and other supporting documentation. If the applicant has an eviction notice from their landlord, they should bring that too.
Free legal aid for tenants being evicted
Free lawyers are an option too. Eviction prevention for a low-income person or seniors is available regardless of race, background, religion, or age. Everyone from single mothers to the disabled or elderly can apply for a legal support or ESG grant in an effort to stop the eviction. The non-profits will not discriminate.
Case management, which involves landlord-tenant as well as free eviction defense services from a lawyer in your area in your area, is another approach to stopping an eviction in Sarasota. This is often combined with financial aid, or if the grant program has been used up, then case management may be provided on its own. Staff will partner with the tenant on everything from budgeting to credit repair and employment counseling. These are some of the tools used to stop homelessness in the region.
Rehousing programs in Sarasota County when an eviction can’t be stopped
There are dozens of instances in Sarasota County in which the family just can't afford to pay their rent on their own. Some people just live in housing that is too expensive for them. Or maybe they lost their job and have no immediate hope for a new one. Other families that are living in poverty would also have difficulty in staying in their current home. In these cases, the best way to stop the eviction from occurring is to relocate the family.
Often this approach is taken after a formal assessment has been completed with the applicant. Agencies will need to understand what barriers the resident is faced with. If there is a solution, and if the family may be more successful living in a new home, then that can be coordinated. This too will involve the use of Emergency Solution Grants (ESG) as well as ongoing tenancy support services.
In these instances, the government money will be used for housing expenses such as paying for the security deposits, first months rent, utility hook up fees, and moving costs as well. After much experience, sometimes the best way to prevent the eviction is to just have the family get up and move somewhere else in the area that is more affordable. However the fact is this too is expensive and is limited. But when qualified, moving type costs can be covered.
Contact information
Since the allocation process for federal government money as well as state funds changes each year, the best way to get information is to call The Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness for referrals. They operate the Homeless Outreach Team (H.O.T) hotline.
The number is (941) 955-8987 and address is 1750 17th St C-1, Sarasota, FL 34234. The staff will assess what the client needs and direct them to the best program possible for stopping the eviction.
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