If you are facing eviction, behind on rent, or struggling with utility bills, our coalition partners may be able to help. We provide emergency rental and utility assistance, legal guidance, and referrals to trusted community agencies. Help is available. Start by reaching out today.
Good to know before you call
- United Way of Northeast Florida (211) is the common intake point. Several programs require a 211 referral before scheduling an appointment. They also maintain a database of rental assistance programs in the Northeast Florida area.
- Nearly all programs pay the landlord/utility company directly rather than giving cash to applicants.
- Typical documents to have ready: photo ID, proof of income, current lease, and a past-due or disconnection notice.
Compiled August 2026Funding pools for several of these programs run dry and refill periodically, so call ahead to confirm current availability.
Financial Assistance
The Salvation Army
Rent & Utility Assistance
- Eligibility
- Household income at or below 50% of the federal poverty level, and either an eviction/disconnection notice or 90+ days unemployed.
- Details
- Requires income verification, signed lease, disconnection notice, photo ID, Social Security documentation for all household members.
- Provides
- Rental and/or utility assistance payments, paid directly to the landlord or utility company.
Catholic Charities Jacksonville
Emergency Financial Assistance (Non-HOPWA)
- Eligibility
- Financial setback within the past 3 months, plus at least one of: 1+ month behind on rent/mortgage/utilities, received a 3-day or eviction notice, received a utility cutoff notice, or already had utilities cut off.
- Details
- Requires a 211 referral first.
- Provides
- Rent and utility payments paired with case management.
Call 211 or 904-632-0600 for a United Way referral
HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS)
- Eligibility
- Clients living with HIV/AIDS who meet program income/eligibility criteria.
- Details
- Federally funded, separate track from general Emergency Assistance.
- Provides
- Rent and utility payments, plus case management.
JEA Neighbor to Neighbor Program
- Eligibility
- Elderly, disabled, or low-income JEA customers.
- Details
- Utility-only, does not cover rent.
- Provides
- Limited financial assistance toward JEA utility bills.
Call 211 or 904-632-0600 for a United Way referral
BEAM
Emergency Rent & Utility Assistance
- Eligibility
- Must live or work in zip codes 32082, 32224, 32227, 32228, 32233, 32250, or 32266, be experiencing a verifiable hardship, and be at least a month behind on rent or utilities.
- Details
- Financial assistance volunteers meet with clients to assess eligibility and determine assistance level. Need photo ID, proof of income, proof of hardship, and current lease or utility bill to apply.
- Provides
- Rent or utility payments made directly to landlord/utility company. Also handles Beaches Energy Services and City of Atlantic Beach Public Works “CARE” program applications.
City of Jacksonville
Eviction Diversion Program (EDP)
- Eligibility
- U.S. citizen or legal resident alien residing in Duval County facing an eviction due to a short-term hardship. Household must include at least one child, senior, veteran, or disabled adult. Landlord must agree to participate.
- Details
- Landlord agrees to a 30-day extension on the eviction case in exchange for participating. Applying does not automatically stop an eviction, you must separately notify the court you’re enrolled.
- Provides
- Up to 3 months’ back rent, utilities, and/or home energy costs.
Other Emergency Assistance Programs (referral hub)
- Eligibility
- Varies by referred program.
- Details
- This is a city-maintained referral list, to programs including LIHEAP (winter heating assistance) and Assisted Living Facility placement help.
- Provides
- Referrals to LIHEAP via NE FL Community Action Agency.
Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida (LSS-Jax)
ACE Program (AIDS Care & Education)
- Eligibility
- Individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
- Details
- Comprehensive wraparound care, not just housing.
- Provides
- Financial management & housing assistance, medical case management, and related support services.
Displacement Assistance
Family Promise of Jacksonville
Family Support Program
- Eligibility
- Families with children who are at risk of homelessness (not yet homeless). Not a drop-in service — appointment required.
- Details
- Case management-based; combines resources, coaching, and financial help to move families from crisis to stability.
- Provides
- Targeted financial assistance.
Temporary Shelter Program
- Eligibility
- Families who have already lost housing.
- Details
- Partners with congregations to keep families with children together rather than splitting them across separate shelters. No faith requirement.
- Provides
- Short term (>90 days) one room housing accommodations with access to laundry, showers, and three meals a day.
Legal Assistance
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
Eviction Defense Self-Help Project
- Eligibility
- Households making up to 200% of the poverty line facing an active eviction filing or poor housing conditions.
- Details
- Free legal assistance by appointment Wednesday afternoons.
- Provides
- Free legal advice fighting eviction or in withholding rent/ending lease due to poor living conditions.
Call to apply and make an appointment.
Eviction Response Form
- Eligibility
- Households facing an eviction.
- Details
- Simplified form that generates response documents to eviction proceedings.
- Provides
- Completed Answer – Residential Eviction form for tenant use.
Veteran Assistance
City of Jacksonville
Military Affairs and Veterans Department (MAVD)
- Eligibility
- Veterans, service members, and military families.
- Details
- One-stop resource center for Veterans; also runs the Veterans Resource & Reintegration Center with collaborative agreements across many local social service providers.
- Provides
- Housing & financial assistance, VA benefits/claims assistance, employment services, legal & tax services, mental health referrals.
Walk-ins welcome weekdays 7:00 AM–3:00 PM at City Hall: 117 W Duval St, Suite 175, Jacksonville, FL 32202.
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Collective Impact Summary 2025
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