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County has given $1.4 million – and counting – in rental assistance during pandemic

By Wesley LeBlanc wesley@opcfla.com
Posted 8/18/21

CLAY COUNTY – More than $1.4 million in rental assistance has been given to Clay families – and more help is on the way.

The county has been running its emergency rental program since March, …

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County has given $1.4 million – and counting – in rental assistance during pandemic


Posted

CLAY COUNTY – More than $1.4 million in rental assistance has been given to Clay families – and more help is on the way.

The county has been running its emergency rental program since March, using federal dollars to keep families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in their homes. It’s made good on that goal so far, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. Clay County community and social service manager Victoria Hapner says families can get the money they need fast if they stay on top of their email and phone.

“The process currently takes anywhere between two to six weeks and that variation is based on how responsive the individual is,” Hapner said. “Sometimes we just need verification of income, for example, and just need an additional document, and the more responsive they are in monitoring their emails and calls, the faster. If we have everything we need at the beginning, it’s very quick.”

Hapner said it’s when her team has to reach out multiple times to an applicant that the process can become a little slower. She said the team doesn’t mind either way – they just want help – but they also want to be able to help people as soon as possible COVID-19 has been problematic for some. Hapner and her team not only provide families rental assistance, but the rental assistance team is finding new ways to reach those in need. One of the most successful ways so far is how the team is now sitting in on court eviction cases.

“We’ve partnered with [Judge Timothy Collins] to be available during his eviction hearings with renters and we’re working side by side to prevent the eviction process from happening,” Hapner said.

Basically, when Hapner’s team sees someone going through the eviction process, they’ll pull them aside and have them apply immediately for the emergency rental assistance.

Hapner said that ideally, both the landlord and the tenants are involved in the overall process. That’s because to gain the financial help in most cases, Hapner’s team will need documents from both. If the two are already communicating, relief may come quicker. When the assistance is approved, the landlord will receive the money to cover past due charges.

Rental payments are a necessity for many landlords who still have mortgages on the properties.

“We really do encourage them to work together,” Hapner said. “It makes the process much easier when they work hand in hand. Plus, it benefits both of them. The landlord gets the money they need and the renter gets the help they need to stay in their home, which is our No. 1 goal.”

The team currently has a temporary office set up at 1845 Town Center Boulevard, Suite 505, on Fleming Island. They can be reached at (904) 529-4256.

The applications originally had a deadline, but the Board of County Commissioners voted to keep the applications open. If someone has already applied and is waiting to hear more, they can call to check their status online. If they haven’t yet applied, they can apply.

“We can currently cover 12 months of back rent, three months of future rent, and then rental utilities and internet services,” Hapner said. “We’re really able to help so many people in so many ways and it’s amazing.”

The funding Hapner’s team has received has an end date of December 2022.

The other aspect of rent and COVID-19 is the rental moratorium. Clay County Clerk of Courts chief operations officer Tracie McRae said their role has remained the same from the first rent moratorium to the second one recently announced.

“For us in Clay, our role as the Clerk is the same as it was under the original order,” McRae said. “It is the responsibility of the tenant, under penalty of perjury, to provide the landlord with the required ‘Declaration’ to prohibit eviction from going forward. The order provides criminal penalties for a landlord who continues to pursue action if the Declaration is made and delivered.”

McRae said they have an affidavit which is provided to every landlord filing an eviction action in their office.

“The landlord duly swears and certifies that the tenant either has or has not filed a Declaration as defined under the CDC rule. If a Declaration has been filed by the tenant, it must be attached to the Complaint filed by the Landlord. The Declaration starts with the tenant, but it is the landlord’s responsibility to include a copy with the court record if they have such.”