The housing crisis is a top priority for the Alachua County Commission, particularly in the wake of dramatically increased rents, home prices and interest rates.
Alachua County has a variety of needs-based programs designed to address obtaining a home, staying in a home, and improving homes. These critical programs can create generational wealth for residents through the purchase of their first home, assist residents in getting into rental units they have previously struggled to afford, stay in their existing homes and make improvements to their homes.
Qualifications for most programs are tied to the area median income and federal poverty level.
“Everything we do is focused on providing more affordable housing opportunities for our residents and improving the quality of housing,” said Candie Nixon, assistant director of Community Support Services. “We are involved in financial assistance, development, purchasing and renovating properties, and partnering with local and state organizations.”
Space doesn't allow us to discuss each program's qualifying factors. Those details will be provided when you reach out to the programs listed below.
Rental programs
Deposit assistance – The county offers move-in assistance to those needing help with their first and last month’s rent and security and utility deposits. These are one-time funds of up to $3,000.
The county accepts applications from residents throughout the year for those in need of deposit assistance. Residents who qualify must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
For more information, call 352-264-6700 or email socialservices@alachuacounty.us.
Emergency financial assistance – As part of the county's homeless prevention efforts, residents can apply for up to $1,750 to help with back rent, mortgages or utility payments. Qualified renters and homeowners may apply for this assistance once every two years.
The accounts owed must be active and in Alachua County. Applicants must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
For more information, call 352-264-6700 or email socialservices@alachuacounty.us.
The Department of Community Support Services administers all of these programs. Watch the video below to learn more about other department activities and programs.
Eviction assistance - Alachua County encourages residents to take advantage of free legal assistance funded by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Through the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), Alachua County has distributed tens of millions of dollars for rental assistance during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are three ways people can receive eviction assistance:
1. Those who make 80% or less of the AMI and have questions concerning landlord/tenant issues are encouraged to call the Florida Legal Services helpline at 888-780-0443.
2. Florida Legal Services and the county offer monthly tenant legal workshops to the public. Residents can ask questions and speak with attorneys on-site to discuss their situations. For information on upcoming workshops, call 888-780-0443.
3. Those who received or applied for ERAP funding before the program closed and make 50% or less than the AMI are eligible to receive direct legal aid and representation when facing eviction by reaching out to:
- Florida Legal Services eviction prevention helpline - 888-780-0443
- Three Rivers Legal Services - 352-372-0519
Permanent Supportive Housing – To better serve individuals experiencing homelessness, Alachua County partners with the Continuum of Care (CoC), which is overseen by the Taskforce Fore Ending Homelessness.
Various regional intake points allow a homeless person to be helped by service providers or outreach teams. Once assessed, individuals are prioritized for housing placement based on vulnerability. Alachua County funds the placement of those individuals.
The county also provides ongoing intensive case management services, such as providing food, mental health services, doctor appointments, and medication, while also taking gradual steps toward stability.
Over the next year, the County Commission anticipates adding close to 100 rental housing units in southwest Gainesville through multiple projects, including purchases of the Budget Inn and Scottish Inns motels and an innovative pilot program that converts shipping containers into housing units.
Read more about Alachua County's Permanent Supportive Housing Program. For more information, call 352-264-6700 or email socialservices@alachuacounty.us.
Alachua County Energy Efficiency Program (ACEEP) – This program keeps renters in their homes while improving the county’s resiliency to extreme heat events. ACEEP partners with local nonprofits to provide up to $15,000 for energy efficiency repairs and upgrades to rental units. Property owners who participate in the program must agree to keep their units affordable and on the rental market for a certain period of time.
The upgrades include small fixes, such as energy-efficient lightbulbs and pipe insulation. Larger upgrades include new heating and cooling systems, new energy-efficient appliances and attic insulation. Renters can qualify for the program if they make 50% or less the area median income, and all Section 8 voucher holders qualify.
For more information, visit the website at www.rebuildingtogetherncf.org, call ACEEP at 352-450-4965 or email aceep@rebuildingtogetherncf.org.
Federally-funded vouchers – The Alachua County Housing Authority is a separate quasi-judicial board that is responsible for administering public housing and HUD programs, such as Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) and HUD-VASH (Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing).
The Alachua County Commission appoints members to the Housing Authority and signs off on their action plans.
Alachua County-funded vouchers – In partnership with the Housing Authority and Family Promise, the county funds housing vouchers for vulnerable and homeless families who are on a waiting list for permanent housing.
The vouchers allow low-income people to move into rental properties that they otherwise could not afford. The program is funded through the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and currently assists 10 families. Additional slots will be made available soon.
The County Commission also recently voted to purchase the Sunrise Residence Inn apartment complex from St. Francis House for $1.95 million. The complex includes 30 federally funded vouchers that would’ve gone away had it been converted into student/market-rate housing.
For more information on vouchers, call the Alachua County Housing Authority at 352-372-2549 or email website@acha-fl.com.
Homeowner programs
Home repairs – Funded through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP), homeowners may qualify for home repairs.
Four local nonprofits partner with the county to make these repairs. The county can issue up to $51,000 for repairs to single-family homes, mobile homes/manufactured housing (constructed in 2010 or later). The repairs can be used to alleviate code violations, health hazards, and life and safety issues in a home. This includes roof repairs, heating/cooling systems, and electrical and plumbing issues.
Participants in this program are unable to profit from the changes to the home by selling it within a certain number of years.
For more information, call 352-264-6700 or email housing@alachuacounty.us.
Down payment assistance – Alachua County offers down payment assistance to low-to-moderate-income households trying to purchase a home by offering up to $36,000 in assistance.
To qualify, residents must be first-time homebuyers and make 120% or less of the AMI. Homes purchased must be located within Alachua County but outside the City of Gainesville (the city has its own program) and primarily financed through certified lenders.
To obtain a copy of the down-payment assistance brochure, contact the Alachua County Housing Program at 352-264-6700 or email housing@alachuacounty.us.
Assessment hardship exemptions – Homeowners can apply for waivers on non-ad-valorem property tax assessment fees (stormwater, fire and solid waste assessments) for up to seven years or be reimbursed for those assessment payments for up to three years.
Owners must be living on the property and have a homestead exemption. Those who qualify must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
For more information, call 352-264-6700 or email socialservices@alachuacounty.us.
Urgent Special Needs Program – The county assists in providing urgent limited assistance to residents for medical issues (such as durable medical equipment for those without insurance) or general issues (such as septic tanks, flooding and pipes impacted by tree roots for homeowners without insurance coverage).
Those who qualify must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
For more information, call 352-264-6700 or email socialservices@alachuacounty.us.