JACKSONVILLE EVICTION DIVERSION PROGRAM.

Notice of Rental Assistance for Rent Nonpayment Eviction Diversion Program

The City of Jacksonville has set aside rental assistance funds for the benefit of landlords and tenants. This program is designed for tenants experiencing a short-term problem paying rent. One goal is to reduce evictions in Duval County by giving eligible tenants and consenting landlords the ability to resolve arrears in rent, utilities, and/or home energy costs. Another goal is to stabilize housing for at least six months after receiving EDP assistance. The program is able to assist with up to three (3) months’ back rent.

  • Tenant Eligibility
  • Tenant Info
  • Landlord Info
  • Forms/Documents
  • Contact EDP
  • Program Enrollment Expectations

Tenant Eligibility

An eligible tenant/household must meet ALL REQUIREMENTS LISTED BELOW in order to qualify (only meeting a portion of the criteria does not deem you eligible for assistance):

  • A U.S. Citizen or Legal Resident Alien.
  • A resident of Duval County (including the Beaches and Town of Baldwin).
  • Delinquent on the payment of rent, certain utilities and/or home energy costs, resulting in the potential for non-payment notice and resulting filing of an eviction in Duval County:
    • EDP can only pay up to three (3) months of back rent if approved for assistance. If more than three (3) months of rent is owed, the tenant will be required to pay the ineligible amounts PRIOR to EDP cutting a check and delivering payment to the landlord.
  • Part of an “Eligible Household” as defined as follows:
    • Household must include one (1) or more individuals who are obligated to pay rent on a residential dwelling in Duval County;
    • One (1) or more individuals within the household must be:
      • A child under the age of 18 years, OR a senior over the age of 60 years, OR a Veteran, OR a disabled adult:
        • Household members (including children) must be listed on the lease, unless satisfactory documentation showing person is a member of household is otherwise provided;
    • Household must have experienced a temporary reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship and can attest to such in writing:
      • TENANT LEDGERS MUST REFLECT CONSISTENT PAYMENT RECORD PRIOR TO ONE TIME EMERGENCY/HARDSHIP THAT RESULTED IN THE DELINQUENCY OF RENT;
    • Household can demonstrate an imminent risk of homelessness as evidenced by an eviction notice being served on the tenant or the landlord filing an eviction lawsuit at the Duval County courthouse;
    • Household has income that is equal to or below the ALICE threshold based on household composition – (https://www.unitedforalice.org/household-budgets/florida); AND
    • Any Household receiving Eviction Diversion Funds, thereby mitigating the immediate risk of homelessness, will clearly be able to demonstrate their ability to financially remain housed after funds have been disbursed.

Tenant Info

In order to receive assistance, you must communicate with your landlord to have the landlord sign the consent form located in the Forms/Document tab and email it to: evictioncoordinator@coj.net. TENANTS CANNOT SUBMIT CONSENT FORMS FOR THEMSELVES.

  • Coordinators cannot accept any documents from the tenant prior to the landlord initiating enrollment.
  • After a consent form and supporting documents are received directly from the landlord, a coordinator will reach out to the tenant to discuss next steps.
  • After the initial phone interview, if you preliminarily qualify, you will be required to submit the following documents within 3 business days:
    • Last 2 months of bank statements
    • Income verification – proof of income
      • Last 2 months of pay stubs
      • SNAP/Food Stamp verification letter
      • Proof of child support
      • SSI/SSD verification letter
      • Proof of Retirement
    • Photo ID AND Social Security Cards for ALL adults 18 years and older living in the home
    • Birth certificates for ALL children 17 years and younger in the household:
      • If child is not on the lease, birth certificate must reflect the adult living in the home or the adult must be able to provide satisfactory documentation proving child resides with them.

Landlord Info

  • LANDLORDS MUST SUBMIT CONSENT FORMS TO evictioncoordinator@coj.net.
    • Do not direct tenants to submit paperwork on your behalf.
    • We will not accept any consent forms from tenants (no exceptions).
  • A landlord who is a corporation (must be registered as a business and verified through Sunbiz) will be required to provide a copy of the letter issued by the IRS that verifies their Employer Identification Number.
  • A landlord who is an individual (who is not registered as a business) will be required to submit their driver’s license and Social Security Card.
  • The landlord must be verified as the owner of the property. If the owner has subcontracted property management to a corporation (must be registered as a business and verified through Sunbiz), the corporation will be required to submit a copy of the property management agreement.
  • Rental assistance checks are distributed via mail (not certified), Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT), or pick-up at JFCS, 8540 Baycenter Road, Jacksonville, FL 32256.
    • EFTs are not authorized for landlords who are individuals, checks will be mailed or available for pick-up.
  • Required documentation:
    • Full tenant ledger (beginning of tenant occupancy)
    • Current tenant lease
    • Consent Form (form can be found under Forms/Documents tab)
    • Form W-9 (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf)
    • Rental Assistance Agreement (form can be found under Forms/Documents tab)
    • Copy of eviction notice OR court case number

Forms/Documents

Contact EDP

Email – evictioncoordinator@coj.net

Program Enrollment Expectations

  • Consent forms will be emailed to evictioncoordinator@coj.net and e-filed by a coordinator, NOT by the landlord or tenant.
  • Consent forms must be submitted by the landlord directly to the eviction coordinators via the email address above.
  • Consent forms cannot be accepted if submitted by the tenant.
  • The filed consent form begins a 30-day extension of eviction lawsuit.
  • Landlords who have not filed an eviction lawsuit are expected to not file an eviction lawsuit with the court during this timeframe. However, a landlord’s participation in this program and receipt of rental assistance, does not prevent a landlord from filing a future eviction lawsuit against the tenant in the event of a future lease violation.
  • Landlords are expected to provide the MOST RECENT/UPDATED ledger that includes ALL late fees and court costs so that payment may be processed for the full amount owed. The goal of the program is to leave tenants with a zero balance after payment is issued by EDP.
  • In circumstances where a tenant is responsible for making a payment to cover rent or other amounts that are not within the scope of what can be paid by EDP, the eviction coordinator must receive proof of payment from the landlord before the rental assistance check can be mailed.
  • Furthermore, the program is a ONE-TIME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AWARD, meaning that EDP cannot cut more than one check per candidate in their lifetime. It is important that ALL AMOUNTS OWED are reflected on the ledger.
  • During the 30-day waiting period, a landlord is also expected to not enter into a payment or stipulation agreement with an approved EDP candidate for other amounts owed until AFTER the EDP has made a determination on the candidate’s eligibility for rental assistance.