$60 million Emergency Rental Assistance Program proposed by Miami-Dade Mayor Levine Cava earns Board approval

Today, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP2.3), created through legislation proposed by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and sponsored by Commissioner Eileen Higgins, was approved by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners. This new program will use $60 million in federal relief funds to support residential landlords and tenants, starting with landlords who have writs filed with the Miami-Dade Police Department by providing back rent owed up to March 2020.

"Protecting the lives and livelihoods of all Miami-Dade County residents throughout this crisis remains my top priority, and I thank the County Commission for approving this critical program to provide financial resources to those who need it most," said Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

"County government must continue to step up to support those who are most vulnerable during these challenges times," said Commissioner Higgins. "I was proud to – once again – sponsor legislation to help both landlords and tenants by providing up to a year's worth of back rent to those struggling due to job losses during COVID."

At the same time, Miami-Dade Police Department is continuing to actively investigate criminal squatters cases, which are not covered under the federal evictions moratorium. If you need to report a squatter, you can call (305) 4-POLICE or the MDPD Economic Crimes Bureau (305) 994-1000.

Additional resources are available to support small businesses impacted by the pandemic, through Miami-Dade County and partners including Beacon Council, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, CareerSource South Florida, and others. Visit miamidade.gov/coronavirus and bizhelp.miami, a one-stop resource center started by Beacon Council, for more information.