TAMPA, Fla. — Those struggling to pay rent in Hillsborough County can once again apply for help paying the bills.
Along with the city of Tampa, the county has received an additional $28 million in federal funding to help those unable to pay rent or utilities due to the financial impacts of COVID-19.
The news comes after Hillsborough County temporarily closed the program in January after reaching its funding limit.
According to the county's website, the emergency rental assistance program is intended "to prevent recipients from experiencing further financial hardship or additional consequences to living conditions."
The money will be given to renters on a case-by-case basis who are either past due on rent or utility payments or at-risk of missing future payments.
Hillsborough County will begin accepting applications for the emergency rental assistance program starting Tuesday, March 1.
Landlords are also encouraged to actively participate in the rental assistance program. Their registration is required as they'll be receiving payments directly from the program on behalf of the tenants.
Similar programs have been implemented in several other counties in the Tampa Bay area, including Pinellas, Pasco and Sarasota counties, as a way to help those needing financial support as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.