Miami Mayor Plans Rent And Utility Help For Residents

MIAMI, FL — Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said Friday city officials are planning a first-in-the nation program to help struggling city residents pay their rent and utility bills amid the coronavirus outbreak. The first payments could be made as soon as mid May if approved by city commissioners.

"This is the first of its kind potentially in the United States that was doing something similar," the mayor announced during a virtual news conference. "Obviously, people are suffering tremendously at this particular moment and the city of Miami is stepping up through our Miami Helps program to help people who are in the direst of need."

The city plans to begin taking applications on May 4 through a new website that has not yet been announced. He said the city will also distribute printed applications.

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"They can get up to $1,500 of rent assistance, and/or utility assistance that will be paid directly to the landlord and/or the utility company," Suarez said. "We should be able to disperse funds as quickly as by the middle of May."

The mayor said officials want the payments to arrive before late fees are assessed by landlords. He said the program will be open to any residents who earn 60 percent of area median income and below.

"This is for people who have lost their jobs from COVID-19," he said, adding that the program will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

City commissioners are expected to vote on the $2.2 million program next week at a special meeting.

For more information, call 305-416-2080 or send an email to communitydevelopment@miamigov.com.