Renters moving into a home in North Miami, Florida, may qualify for up to $4,800 in move-in expenses.
Here's what to know
Eligible expenses include the first and last month's rent and a security deposit, and assistance can cover a combination of those costs. North Miami's Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program uses federal funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, according to CiberCuba.
Assistance cannot exceed two months' worth of rent. This is a one-time grant, and the city sends the money directly to the landlord or property owner.
Eligibility requires applicants to show they can pay rent going forward, even though they must also establish that they face financial hardship.
"The assistance can bridge that gap for families with low or moderate incomes, including Cubans and other immigrants with legal status who meet federal requirements," the outlet stated.
More background
One-bedroom apartments rent for about $1,700 to $1,850 per month, CiberCuba reported. With a deposit, initial rent payments can push move-in expenses past $3,400.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
The program is limited to households earning no more than 80% of the Miami-Dade area median income, as determined by HUD. According to CiberCuba, the listed annual income limits are $69,400 for a single-person household and $79,300 for a two-person household.
For a three-person household, the annual limit is $89,200, and for four people, it rises to $99,100.
People planning to rent in North Miami can apply, as can those who already live there. The rental itself must be inside North Miami's boundaries — not in Miami, North Miami Beach, or another municipality.
What can be done?
There is no application period; households can apply year-round, exclusively online through the city's Neighborly portal.
Federal rent-reasonableness requirements apply to the rental. CiberCuba also reported that the unit must pass an inspection confirming compliance with HUD's housing quality standards before it can qualify.
The eligibility rules exclude households that received aid from North Miami's Department of Housing and Social Services during the two-year period preceding the contract's conclusion.
Awards depend on available funding, and North Miami handles complete applications in the order they arrive.
Where can I learn more?
These stories cover rental affordability, insurance savings, and tools to check a property's condition before you sign a lease.
• Duval County renters can check rental code violations before signing a lease.
• Miami ranks last for rental affordability, with $1,500 covering roughly a two-car garage.
• Florida snowbirds seeking lower monthly rental costs may find Avon Park's $921 average appealing.
• Nearly 122,000 Florida renters insurance policies are getting a 12.8% rate cut.
• In South Florida, $600,000 home prices leave people earning $67,000 weighing continued renting.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
