Have 4 kids, desperate for rental assistance in Miami

(Request from Samantha in Miami, Florida) I have 4 kids and I’m in desperate need of rental assistance in Miami.

Dear Samantha,

Raising four children is no small task, and I am sure that your kids are costing you plenty. I don’t know if you are a single mom or if you are currently working.

Miami-Dade County Human Services

What I can tell you is that you need to make sure that you are receiving all of the public benefits to which you are entitled. Checking in with the local human services office can be a good first step.

A social worker will be able to screen you for any public benefits that you qualify for to ensure that you are receiving the maximum benefit. You owe it to your children to make sure that you can gain any available resource to take care of them.

Community Action and Human Services

Your local government administers the Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD). CAHSD is a major provider of aid programs across the Greater Miami area.

Specifically, their Emergency Food and Shelter Assistance (EFSA) program may be applicable to your situation. You will find that they often assist with utilities, food and rental assistance. EFSA is particularly used in situations where an emergency crisis puts a family into a situation where homelessness is a possibility.

Rather than calling the county office, you may find it easier to apply for EFSA support at your local community center:

There are other community centers that also offer services to lower income families, though they are not active EFSA programs. These include Allapattah, Coconut Grove, Naranja, Opa-Locka and Perrine.

211

If you find yourself in an emergency situation, then please feel comfortable with calling 211. The 211 service is a hotline established by the United Way of Miami-Dade. This switchboard will connect you to a case manager with one of the above agencies and you may also be connected with one or more of the nonprofit organizations that are United Way community partners.

The last thing anyone wants to see is for you and your four children to have no place to live. You can be assisted with these needs. Please make sure that you have on hand any helpful information. Expect to present social security cards for you and everyone in your household as well as any income documents such as paystubs. If you have received an eviction notice you will want to bring this as well.

Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami has emergency rental assistance cash available on a very limited basis. This religious organization can serve many needs to help your family. If you need cash assistance, you should generally request this aid only after you have applied for and received any aid for which you are eligible through the government agencies and local aid agencies listed above.

You may contact this local Catholic Charities branch at 305-573-3333. You can get support for yourself and your four children.