Rent, Utility Help For Lakeland Residents Hurt By Coronavirus

LAKELAND, FL — Lakeland residents who have lost income because of the coronavirus pandemic can apply for a grant to help with rent and/or utilities through the city.

The CARE (Coronavirus Aid for Rent and Expenses) Program was created to assist low-income households that have experienced a verifiable loss of income due to the coronavirus. The program provides rent and/or public utilities payments to prevent eviction and homeless as a result of the pandemic crisis, said the city's website.

Eligibility requirements are:

• Eligible recipients must be a City of Lakeland resident.
• Eligible recipients must be delinquent on rent and/or public utilities.
• Show verifiable loss of income related to COVID-19 impacts.
• Household income ≤80% AMI ($47,050 for a family of four).
• Maximum award of three months or $5,000, whichever occurs first.

The City of Lakeland can only provide CARE assistance to incorporated Lakeland residents. However, Polk County has a similar rental assistance program. To inquire or apply, visit https://polk-county.net/Polk-Cares-2020.

Utility services eligible for assistance are electricity, water, wastewater (sewer), solid waste, and natural gas. Telephone service, including landline and cell phone, and internet service are not eligible.

The CARE Program is limited to non-owner occupied (rental) units. However, funding has been dedicated for Foreclosure Prevention Housing Counseling. To inquire about this counseling, contact Keystone Challenge Fund, Inc. or contact info@keystonechallenge.org for more information.

If you meet the eligibility requirements, fill out an application at CARE Program/City of Lakeland.

The CARE Program is funded through a number of State and Federal housing and community development grants, some received specifically to combat the impacts of the pandemic, and others reallocated from other local programs.