Important Program Information

Limited funding is available for rental assistance to eligible residents of St. Lucie County. Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-qualified basis.

Applicants must have experienced a documented financial hardship within the last 90 days and demonstrate the ability to maintain housing after assistance is provided. Submitting an application does not guarantee assistance.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for assistance, applicants must:

• Reside in St. Lucie County
• Have a current, signed lease with a landlord
• Have experienced a documented financial hardship within the last 90 days
• Be able to demonstrate the ability to sustain housing after assistance
• Not have received rental assistance from St. Lucie County within the past 12 months
• Not currently participating in a rental subsidy program
• Have a total household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level

Assistance Available

Eligible households may receive:

• Up to three months of past due rent
• A maximum of $7,000 per household

Move-In Costs

Assistance may also include:

• First month's rent
• Last month's rent
• Security deposit

Applicants requesting move-in assistance must provide proof of current or previous residency in St. Lucie County. A newly executed lease will be required before payment can be issued.

You May Not Be Eligible If

• You received rental assistance from St. Lucie County within the last 12 months
• You are currently receiving rental subsidy assistance
• You cannot provide documentation of a recent financial hardship
• You are unable to demonstrate housing sustainability

Required Documents

Applicants must provide documentation for all household members.

Identification

• Valid photo ID for all household members age 18 and older
• Social Security cards for all household members
• Birth certificates for all children under age 18

Income Documentation

• Proof of income for the past 30 days, such as pay stubs, Social Security, child support, unemployment, or other income documentation
• If self-employed or a 1099 employee:
  • Three-month profit and loss statement
  • Most recent IRS tax return
• SNAP benefit letter, if applicable

Housing Documentation

• Current lease
• Current utility bill
• W-9 form completed by the landlord

Hardship and Sustainability Documentation

• Proof of hardship, such as a termination letter, medical documentation, or unemployment records
• Proof of recovery or sustainability, such as a return-to-work letter, orientation letter, or recent pay stubs

Additional Documentation for Applicants Claiming Homelessness

Applicants claiming homelessness must also provide documentation verifying prior residency in St. Lucie County and their current living situation. Required documentation includes:

• A previous lease dated within the past 12 months
• A utility bill dated within the past 12 months
• A current, valid photo ID showing St. Lucie County residency
• Current proof of residency, such as a hotel or motel receipt, children's school records, or other documentation demonstrating current living arrangements

Additional documentation may be requested depending on individual circumstances.

Need Help Applying?

If you need assistance completing the application or uploading documents, you can schedule an appointment with a program specialist at:

St. Lucie County Community Services
Family Success Center
714 Avenue C, 2nd Floor
Fort Pierce, FL 34950

Phone: 772-462-1777

Additional Resources

For additional community resources, please contact 211 or visit the 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast (opens in new tab) site.

Important Information

• Funding is limited
• Applications are reviewed in the order received
• Processing times may vary based on application volume and completeness
• Additional documents may be requested as needed
• Program requirements and funding availability are subject to change

Income Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions