Rent assistance St. Petersburg and Pinellas County.
Find charity organizations, government programs, and churches in Pinellas County that offer long term or emergency rental assistance, housing or motel vouchers or grant money to pay security deposits. There is immediate financial help for low income families, seniors, the disabled and others. Locate agencies that focus on providing help with rent, free legal defense as well as housing assistance to St. Petersburg, Clearwater and the county.
As with almost all financial assistance programs, section 8 vouchers or placement into low-cost housing or apartments, there are conditions that need to be met and usually limited funding. Some of the agencies in Pinellas County may focus their rent assistance on families with children, single mothers, or maybe veterans.
Others provide grants or loans to renters that meet income and asset tests. The bottom line is that it is best to call an agency near you and ask for the specifics on what type of housing funds they may have or how they can help finding an apartment. Inquire with an organization to get more information on the programs.
Tenants or the homeless may need to contact multiple agencies and non-profits in order to receive help. If assistance with back rent or a security deposit is not available, case workers can often refer clients to other organizations.
Homeless Empowerment Program (HEP) operates a Homeless Prevention program as well as helps with rehousing. Rent assistance may be provided based on a personal needs assessment that has to occur and also if the applicant is faced with an emergency. Phone: (727) 442-9041. Another key condition is that the potential client must not be eligible for housing, motel vouchers or rent assistance elsewhere, so the HEP program is a last resort. It can also help pay water bills, storage or moving costs or other housing expenses. The charity is at 1120 North Betty Lane, Clearwater, Florida 33755.
Daystar Life Center is at 1055 28th Street South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33712. A variety of housing programs, social services, furniture, and financial aid for bills/rent may be offered. For information, call (727) 825-0442
Pinellas County, Department of Human Services has two offices as below. Funds are limited, but it can offer emergency rent and utility payments. Programs focus on the sick, disabled and elderly in Pinellas County and St. Petersburg Florida. Some low income clients may be issued loans for their needs or cash aid. Any type of social services or grants for expenses such as rent are very limited. Call (727) 464-4200.
- 2189 Cleveland St, Clearwater, FL 33765.
- 647 First Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
Pinellas Opportunity Council is the community action agency with multiple offices. Assistance for renters can include government grants for rent or mortgages, LIHEAP utility bill help, referrals to landlord-tenant mediation and other support. Any rental assistance or financial aid is combined with budgeting, job programs, and self-sufficiency.
- 1835 9th Ave S, St. Petersburg, Florida 33712. Phone: (727) 822-4492
- Enoch Davis Center is at 1111 18th Avenue S., Saint Petersburg, FL 33705. Dial (727) 823-4101
St. Vincent de Paul - The charity and parishes have multiple social services and financial help programs. Other services include a permanent housing locater service, grants for bills such as security deposits, application fees or first months rent and more.
SVDP also helps veterans and their families. There is rent, mortgage, moving or other help from Cares Program or SSVF - Supportive Services for Veteran Families. The aid focuses on veterans and families in Pinellas County. Federal government issued funds are used for rental assistance.
- One address is 384 15th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705. Phone - 727-825-0725 or (727) 823-2516.
- Another is at 1345 Park St Clearwater, Florida 33756, dial (727) 442-5306,
- Or try 401 15th Street N, Saint Petersburg, FL 33705. Call (844) 455-7783
Salvation Army Social Services - Multiple offices are located around Pinellas County, Clearwater and St. Petersburg Florida. Get help to pay rent when faced with an eviction and other housing programs, such as free motel or hotel vouchers. Case management and transitional units are also typically offered.
The faith based organization provides limited financial assistance, as funding allows. Programs and services are provided on a one-time basis to help pay for rent, mortgages, utilities, and other expenses. One focus of those resources is on meeting general housing needs.
- 1400 4 Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Dial (727) 557-9112
- 209 South Pinellas Avenue, Tarpon Springs, Florida 34689. For hours, call 727-934-4476
- 1521 Druid Rd, Clearwater, FL 33756. Main number is 727-446-4177
- 969 W Sugarland Hwy, Clewiston, Florida 33440. Phone: (863) 233-6190
- 1204 14 Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205. Main number is 941-748-5110
Family Housing Assistance (FHA) is a rent program that is offered by Human Services in Pinellas County. It helps rehouse the homeless (including children, single moms and adults) and provides emergency eviction prevention. Grants help with rental arrears, moving costs, motel costs, as well as security deposits on new, affordable apartments. More on Pinellas County eviction and homeless assistance.
Catholic Charities has multiple churches in the region that help immigrants, the poor, women (single moms or those facing violence) and others. Whether money for some back rent to stop homelessness, free furniture for a formerly homeless person, legal aid for renters or something else, support is offered.
- Phone number - 727-893-1313 and address is 1213 16th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705
- Call for help - 352-686-9897 8370. the parish is at Forest Oaks Blvd, Spring Hill, Florida 34606
- Dial the Hillsborough office as well at 813-631-4370
Issiah’s Inn is an option. Some conditions of housing support (rent or deposit assistance) include the applicant must be employed full time with a stable work history in the past and income, and they must also have an apartment or house in North Pinellas County Florida. Location is 314 S Lincoln Av, Clearwater, FL 33756. Dial - 727-449-2600.
Oldsmar Cares supports only qualified low income families in the immediate region of the 34677 zip code. One time rent assistance, information on government grant programs, and other housing needs can be met by the charity. (813) 415-7373, address is 149 FL-580, Oldsmar, Florida 34677
ESG Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing can help Pinellas County families facing eviction or the homeless. There may be funds to pay security deposits, federal government grants for back rent, and low income housing. Clients will receive case management and some families will be issued a loan for paying their rent. Call (727) 893-1313 for information.
North Pinellas - Gulfcoast Legal Services helps tenants, seniors, and homeowners from 501 1st Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Lawyers offer free legal aid in an effort to help those families or senior citizens facing an eviction. Also get help in dealing with a pay or quit notice or disputes over rent and deposits. Call (727) 821-0726.
Bay Area Legal Services of St. Petersburg also offer free legal representation and advice from pro-bono attorneys. Tenants may also receive landlord/tenant mediation and help renters that have an eviction or pay or quit notice. Call (727) 490-4040. Location is 4948 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33707
Government Housing Authority. Each city, town, or county, including Pinellas County, has its own housing authority office for section 8 or emergency vouchers. The cities and phone numbers are listed below. Mostly they coordinate government rent and housing assistance, such as the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program and also Section 8 housing vouchers.
- 28050 US Hwy 19, Clearwater, FL 33761. Dial 727-461-5777
- 2001 Gandy Boulevard N., Saint Petersburg, FL 33702. Call (727) 582-7191 or 727-893-1311
- 11479 Ulmerton Rd, Largo, Florida 33778. 727-443-7684
- 5301 West Cypress St., Tampa, Florida 33607. Dial 813-253-0551
- There are other HUD programs and income subsidized houses. More on Section 8 Florida.
Emergency Financial Assistance for housing assistance program (known as EFAHP for short), can offer emergency housing and assistance for rent up to $400 once a year based on the applicants total households income. Some conditions include an eviction notice must be provided, and the applicant also needs to be pregnant of have a child under 18 years old. Clewiston, Florida based. Call 877-891-6445
The Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc. - C.O.F.F.O. is another community action agency. Dial 800-330-3491. Emergency assistance to farm workers based on income. A major focus is on migrant farmworkers.
Two other faith based groups which may have referrals or a few dollars for housing expenses (moving, household furnishing, rent, etc.) include the following.
- Calvary Baptist Church, Life Line Ministries, 10 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, FL 33759. Call for help - (727) 441-1581
- “He Cares” Ministry, Pinellas Park, Florida. Phone - 727-548-1535. Aid is offered on Tuesday/Thursday only, by appointment.
- Pinellas Park Angel Fund Inc is at 78th Avenue North, Pinellas Park, FL 33781. Call (727) 369-0700
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