Apply to Tamarac’s Residential Assistance Program by July 6

by Guest Contributer July 2, 2020

by Guest Contributer July 2, 2020 29 views

By Selene Raj

The Tamarac City Commission launched a new residential assistance program to help families who were impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic and applications but be submitted by July 6.

On May 27, Commissioner Mike Gelin proposed moving $250,000 from the general fund reserves into this residential assistance program. He cited the lack of adequate relief provided by the SHIP program and the CARES act, as well as Florida having one of the worst unemployment systems in the country.

The commission was unanimous in support that something needed to be done, urgently, to provide further relief to residents.

“We needed to design one that took our city’s income and demographics into account,” Commissioner Gelin said.

Applicants must be residents of Tamarac and be able to verify and document an income hardship resulting from the pandemic. Households that do not exceed 120 percent of the area median income are eligible to apply.

Those who qualify can receive up to $5,000 to help with three months of assistance for a mortgage, rent, and utility payments. Eligible utility payments include light, water, and natural gas, and the utility bill must be under the name of the applicant or adult household member.

For mortgage assistance, the home must be the primary residence of the owner and homesteaded.