Information For
Housing needs change as we age, but it’s possible for our homes and communities to be livable for people of all ages and life stages. DOEA believes all Floridians should have appropriate and affordable housing that promotes and supports aging in place. Age-friendly housing options allow residents to age in their own community even when changes in health or ability mean that a person needs some help to remain in the community safely and with as much independence as possible.
Housing Options
Do you need to find a licensed facility?
The Agency for Health Care Administration licenses health facilities in Florida and has a consumer-friendly website to locate licensed facilities including assisted living facilities, nursing homes and adult family care homes. Please visit: Licensed Facilities
Medicaid
Florida Medicaid cannot pay room and board for residents in assisted living facilities.
For more information visit: https://myaccess.myflfamilies.com/
The Institutional Care Program (ICP) is a Medicaid program that helps people in nursing facilities pay for the cost of their care plus provides general medical coverage. To apply for Florida Medicaid, please visit the Florida Department of Children and Families ACCESS FLORIDA at or call 1 (866) 762-2237.
Florida Medicaid through Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) Long-Term Care plans can provide additional home and community-based services in an assisted living facility. These services are not room and board. All services must be approved by your health plan. If you are already enrolled in SMMC LTC, contact your case manager for more information.
If you are interested in getting on the SMMC LTC program: Call your local Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) to be screened for the SMMC LTC program. To find your local ADRC, call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (800-963-5337) or select your county. (Communications may be changing how to locate the ADRC by county look up)
Help for assisted living facilities
The Florida Optional State Supplementation program (OSS) is offered by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). It provides limited financial assistance to low-income seniors who cannot live independently and require residential care. To apply, contact DCF or 1-(866)-762-2237
Resources:
Department of Children and Families
Florida Assisted Living Association
Statewide Medicaid Managed Care
Other Housing Resources:
Seniors enrolled in Community Care for the Elderly (CCE), Home Care for the Elderly (HCE), Local Service Programs (LSP) or programs provided through the Older Americans Act (OAA) may be able to receive home repairs, environmental modifications, adaptive alterations, or security devices.
For more information on please visit: CCE
For more information on LSP, please contact your local ADRC.
For more information the on Older Americans Act please visit: OAA,
The Florida Housing Finance Corporation assists in providing a range of affordable housing opportunities with a goal to match the needs of residents with housing programs.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the federal agency that oversees public housing and Section 8 rental housing programs. In addition, HUD provides information regarding buying, selling and/or renting a home, as well as other housing-related information for consumers.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and HUD have a collaborative program that combines HUD housing vouchers with VA supportive services to help Veterans who are homeless, and their families find and sustain permanent housing.
The Florida Commission on Human Relations addresses allegations of discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, pregnancy, religion and familial status.
The Council on Homelessness works with lead agencies in each county to provide a framework for a comprehensive array of emergency, transitional, and permanent housing, and supportive services to address the varying needs of the person who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Housing, Rental, and Utility Assistance
Affordable and Government Housing Resources:
Florida Housing Search – A free, statewide affordable housing locator.
HUD Florida Rental Assistance – Information on federal rental assistance and affordable housing programs in Florida.
Florida Housing Finance Corporation – Offers programs for affordable homeownership and rental housing in the state.
USDA Rural Development – Provides resources for affordable housing in rural areas of Florida.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program – Information about Section 8 vouchers and affordable housing opportunities.
Local and Regional Housing Resources:
Miami-Dade Housing Authority – Resources for affordable housing and rental assistance in the Miami area.
Orlando Housing Authority – Provides affordable housing opportunities in the Orlando region.
Tampa Housing Authority – A resource for rental assistance and affordable housing programs in Tampa.
Jacksonville Housing Authority – Resources for low-income housing and public housing in Jacksonville.
Statewide Utility Assistance Programs:
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Overview: This federal program provides financial assistance to low-income households to help pay for energy costs, including electricity, heating, and cooling bills.
How to Apply: Applications are administered locally. You can find your local LIHEAP provider via the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP)
Overview: Provides emergency energy-related assistance for low-income households with at least one person aged 60 or older. Funds can help with paying utility bills or repairing heating and cooling systems.
How to Apply: Administered by local agencies on aging across Florida.
Website: https://elderaffairs.org/programs-services/housing-options/eheap/
Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) – Energy Assistance
Overview: Offers information on various energy assistance programs, including LIHEAP and programs provided by individual utility companies.
Salvation Army – Utility Assistance
Overview: The Salvation Army provides emergency financial assistance for utilities through various local offices across the state.
How to Apply: Contact your local Salvation Army branch to inquire about utility assistance programs.
Website: salvationarmyflorida.org
Catholic Charities of Florida – Utility Assistance
Overview: Offers financial assistance for utilities, including electricity, gas, and water bills, for low-income households across Florida.
How to Apply: Visit or contact your local Catholic Charities office for more details on the application process.
Website: catholiccharitiesfl.org
United Way 211
Overview: United Way’s 211 service is a free, confidential referral and information helpline that connects people to available utility assistance programs.
How to Access: Dial 211 from your phone or visit their website.
Website: 211.org
Local and Utility-Specific Assistance Programs:
Florida Power & Light (FPL) – Care to Share Program
Overview: FPL offers its Care to Share program, which provides emergency assistance to customers who are struggling to pay their electric bills.
Website: https://www.fpl.com/help/assistance.html
TECO (Tampa Electric) – Share Program
Overview: Tampa Electric offers a program called “Share” to help customers who are facing financial difficulties with their electric bills.
Website: tampaelectric.com
Duke Energy – Energy Neighbor Fund
Overview: Provides emergency financial assistance to customers who are unable to pay their utility bills. This fund is supported by customer donations and matched by Duke Energy.
Website: duke-energy.com
JEA (Jacksonville) – Neighbor to Neighbor Fund
Overview: JEA offers a customer donation program to provide assistance to low-income households with paying their electric and water bills.
Website: jea.com
City of Tallahassee Utilities – Project Share
Overview: Helps low-income residents pay for their utility bills, including electricity and water.
Website: talgov.com
Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) – Project Care
Overview: OUC’s Project Care assists customers who are facing hardship in paying their electric bills.
Website: ouc.com
Assistance Through Non-Profits and Churches:
Florida Community Action Agency
Overview: Community Action Agencies (CAAs) in each county can help low-income residents with utility bills, weatherization services, and other energy assistance.
How to Apply: Find your local CAA office for application details.
Website: floridacommunityaction.org
Statewide Mortgage Assistance Programs:
Florida Commerce – Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF)
Overview: The Homeowner Assistance Fund provides relief to homeowners who have experienced financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Assistance is available for mortgage payments, utilities, insurance, property taxes, and more.
Eligibility: Homeowners must show financial hardship after January 21, 2020, and meet income requirements.
Florida Hardest-Hit Fund (HHF)
Overview: Although closed for new applicants, the HHF program provided mortgage payment assistance to those impacted by the housing crisis. Current enrollees may still receive assistance if qualified.
Website: floridahardesthit.org (Note: check for updates or new initiatives from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.)
Florida Housing – Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program
Overview: This program provides first-time homebuyers with a federal tax credit that reduces their federal income tax liability, allowing more of their income to be used for mortgage payments.
Eligibility: First-time homebuyers (or those who haven't owned a home in the last three years) who meet income and purchase price requirements.
Florida Housing – First-Time Homebuyer (FTHB) Program
Overview: Provides down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time homebuyers via a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with competitive interest rates.
Eligibility: Must meet income limits and purchase price limits, and complete a homebuyer education course.
Website: https://www.floridahousing.org/programs/homebuyer-overview-page
State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program
Overview: SHIP provides funds to local governments to help low- and moderate-income households with homeownership assistance, including down payment and closing cost assistance, and emergency repair assistance.
Eligibility: Income-based, varies by local government.
How to Apply: Applications are handled by individual local governments.
Local and Regional Programs:
Miami-Dade Mortgage Assistance Program
Overview: Offers down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time homebuyers in the Miami-Dade area.
Eligibility: Must meet income and purchase price limits.
Website: https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser166861447049056
Tampa – Down Payment Assistance Program
Overview: Provides financial assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers in Tampa for down payment and closing costs.
Eligibility: Must meet income guidelines and complete a homebuyer education course.
Website: https://www.tampa.gov/housing-and-community-development/programs/mortgage-assistance
Orange County Mortgage Assistance Program
Overview: Offers mortgage assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers for down payment and closing costs in Orange County.
Eligibility: Based on income requirements and other criteria.
Website: ocfl.net
Jacksonville – Housing Finance Authority (HFA)
Overview: Provides down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time homebuyers in the Jacksonville area.
Eligibility: Must meet income and home price limits.
Website: jaxhfa.com
Palm Beach County Mortgage Assistance Program
Overview: Provides down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time homebuyers.
Eligibility: Must meet income and purchase price guidelines.
Federal Mortgage Assistance Resources:
Making Home Affordable (MHA) Program
Overview: Although no longer accepting new applications, existing enrollees can still access mortgage modifications and other resources for foreclosure prevention.
Website: makinghomeaffordable.gov
Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP)
Overview: HARP helped underwater homeowners refinance their mortgages. While the program is no longer active, some lenders may offer similar refinancing options for those who owe more than their home is worth.
Website: harp.gov
Additional Resources:
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Loan Assistance
Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac offer resources and relief options for homeowners with mortgages owned by these agencies. Check with your loan servicer to see if you're eligible for any assistance programs, such as forbearance or loan modifications.
Fannie Mae Website: fanniemae.com
Freddie Mac Website: freddiemac.com
Additional Resources
Florida Housing Search - https://floridahousingsearch.org/
HUD Search - https://resources.hud.gov/
Veterans - https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/housing.asp
Council on Homelessness - https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/abuse/homelessness
Discrimination Claims - https://fchr.myflorida.com/fair-housing