The Division of Housing Services mission is: To efficiently and responsibly administer programs and develop community partnerships that preserve and grow the inventory of safe and sanitary affordable housing in unincorporated Leon County (Tax Code 2).
The Division's major programs are income driven and include owner-occupied rehabilitation, home buyer counseling, down-payment assistance, and emergency home repairs. Application information for our programs can be found below. Most of our programs are funded through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program. Please see the "Documents and Reports" page of this site (menu to the right) to review program policy and eligibility information.
Leon CARES Emergency Rental Assistance
The Leon County Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program provides critical financial support to eligible Leon County households (including households within the City of Tallahassee) experiencing financial difficulty due to COVID-19.
Eligible households may receive up to 15 total monthsof rent and/or utility assistance, including up to 12 months for past-due bills as well as for future payments, up to 3 months at a time (subject to funding availability). Awarded funds will be paid directly to landlords and utility service providers.
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM, YOU MUST:
- Have a total household income at or below the 80% AMI threshold (visit LeonCountyCARES.com for more details);
- Be past due on rent and/or utilities payments;
- Be a Leon County resident for each of the past twelve (12) consecutive months;
- Have at least one household member who has: (1) Qualified for unemployment benefits, or (2) Experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due to COVID-19; and
- Note: For the first two weeks of the program, priority will be given to households with (1) total household income at 50% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI), or (2) at least 1 household member who has been unemployed for 90 days or longer.
- Must currently reside in the rental unit for which you are seeking assistance (the applicant’s landlord must also be willing to accept payment from Leon County on your behalf).
For full program details and to apply visit: LeonCountyCARES.com or call (855) 216-9470
Please note that applying for assistance does not guarantee funding.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING RENTAL SEARCH
If you are looking for assistance in locating affordable rental properties please click HERE and search your desired location by city, county or zip code. This search tool also allows you to see the search results on a map or a list.
If you are experiencing homelessness and are not yet connected with a Case Manager associated with CESC, Inc./Kearney Center, Big Bend Homeless Coalition, CCYS, Ability 1st, Refuge House or Catholic Charities. You may contact the Big Bend Continuum of Care 850-792-5015 to be referred to an agency above that will best meet your immediate needs.
EMERGENCY HOUSING REPAIRS
Funds will be awarded to eligible homeowners living in the unincorporated areas of Leon County in need of rehabilitation of their home related to a dire situation that needs to be mitigated immediately via a short term and/or permanent repair. This includes: damaged roofing that is leaking, damaged windows causing exposure to the elements, electrical, plumbing or septic problems that could cause damage to the home or to remediate an immediate health hazard to the occupants. Funding for Mobile Homes is extremely limited. Mobile Homes manufactured prior to June 1994 are NOT eligible for State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) funds.
Applications for assistance will be accepted starting January 18, 2021 through February 19, 2021 or until sufficient applications have been received to expend allocated funds. Applicants must start a new application when the portal opens.
If you live inside City limits (Tax Code 1) please contact the City of Tallahassee for emergency repairs.
PLEASE CLICK THE PROGRAM TITLE TO APPLY FOR EMERGENCY HOUSING REPAIRS
SHORT TERM EMERGENCY HOUSING REPAIRS
The Short Term Emergency Repairs Program assists low-income homeowners living in the unincorporated areas of Leon County short term-assistance to buy time for the homeowner to identify a permanent solution to their housing repair needs. The program provides grant assistance to address a dire situation and/or prevent further damage to the home. The most common emergency repairs are tarp installation for leaking roofs and emergency pump-outs of failing septic systems. The Short Term Emergency Repairs Program is generally not intended to be a permanent fix.
Roof Tarps (20'x25') are available for pickup if the homeowner would like to handle installation.
Applications for assistance will be accepted starting January 4, 2021 until sufficient applications have been received to expend available funds. Applicants must start a new application when the portal opens.
If you live inside City limits (Tax Code 1) please contact the City of Tallahassee for emergency repairs.
PLEASE CLICK THE PROGRAM TITLE TO APPLY FOR SHORT TERM EMERGENCY REPAIRS
DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE
Down payment assistance is administered by the Tallahassee Lender’s Consortium (TLC) on behalf of the Leon County Division of Housing Services. Although a State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) allocation for the 2020‐2021 fiscal year has not been made, funding (at least $50,000 via program income) will be available for Down Payment Assistance via Tallahassee Lenders Consortium.
Applications for assistance for SHIP funded Down Payment Assistance will be accepted starting January 18, 2021 through February 19, 2021 or until sufficient applications have been received to expend allocated funds.
Down payment assistance is available through a partnership between the Leon County Housing Finance Authority (Leon HFA) and the Escambia County Housing Finance Authority Contact the Escambia HFA at a participating lender to learn more about the program.
Down payment assistance may also be available through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Click HERE to find out more about their programs.
PLEASE CLICK THE PROGRAM TITLE TO APPLY FOR DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE
OWNER-OCCUPIED HOME REHABILITATION
Due to the high number of homeowners already waiting to receive assistance, the Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program is NOT accepting applications at this time and the waiting list is closed. Check this website for updates.
Questions, requests for additional information or reasonable accommodation should be directed to Division of Housing Services staff. Contact information can be found at the bottom of this page.