By Lorenzo W. Snelling | Special to Le Floridien
The City of Miami has reopened the Senior Rental Assistance Program to assist low-income elderly residents who are struggling to afford rent increases and forcing them to choose between paying rent or their healthcare costs.
City of Miami Commission Chairwoman Christine King, whose district covers Little Haiti, Liberty City and Overtown, said the initiative helps support seniors ages 62 and up who are in dire need of assistance.
“Qualifying households may receive up to $500 per month for rental expenses based on need, for duration up to one year,” she said.
According to city officials, funding for the program is through the COVID-19 federal American Rescue Plan Act.
Senior citizens can qualify for the program if their household income is at or below 50 percent of the area median income with monthly rental costs exceeding 30 percent of their household income.
Applicants are required to show proof of a valid rental or lease agreement when applying for the program.
All applications for the Senior Rental Assistance Program must be submitted by Tuesday, January 2, 2024, adhering to the instructions outlined in the application form.
Following the closure of the application period, preliminary eligibility will be evaluated, with ineligible applications being disqualified.
The process includes random picks and computerized lotteries to determine the order in which seniors qualify for the program will be processed.
Seniors can apply online for the program or pick up the applications from designated areas and Miami City Hall at 3500 Pan American Drive.
According to Senior Care, senior citizens constitute about 16 percent of the population in Miami, and 28 percent of them live along.
The median household income for seniors in Miami is $17,769, according to the Census.
About 28 percent of senior citizens’ households have an average annual income of less than $10,000 a year and 55 percent less than $20,000 annually.
About 51 percent of seniors ages 60 and over receive food stamps in 2023 and the average Social Security income in Miami is $12,591 a year.
Seniors living on a fixed income are struggling to afford the increasing rent prices and food.
Dotie Toussaint, a 66-year-old retired nurses’ aide from Miami, said she could barely afford food because her monthly rent in a one-bedroom apartment consumes most of her fixed income.
She appraised the city of Miami for its efforts to help seniors but she said it’s not enough.
“$500 for rental assistance is not enough when your rent is $1,500 per month,” she said.
For more information on eligibility, please contact us at: 305-250-5390.
To apply online visit www.miamigov.com/SHARP.
