Looking for assistance with security deposit in Riviera Beach, FL

(Request from Blake in Riviera Beach, Florida) I’m looking for assistance with security deposit for an apartment I found because recently I’ve found myself sleeping in my car and getting up and driving to work. I’m really looking for the best help I can get as far as assistance because this would really help me if I had a place to lay down at night and properly shower. If I had a place to live which would allow me to avoid the danger of being harmed at night while sleeping in my car. Also on top of it all my credit isn’t that good to really be looking into any kind of loan is there anyway I may get assistance with this?

Dear Blake,

Since your credit is not very good, you are correct to overlook rental loans as a first option. They are just not a great solution if you have to pay a high rate of interest.

Since you are currently homeless, I want to make sure that we find a suitable solution for you. This includes an immediate referral for emergency housing as well as options for transitional housing or permanently affordable rental housing. A security deposit grant can help you with the permanent solution.

Palm Beach County

Unfortunately the perfect solution for you is not currently available. Palm Beach County is no longer accepting applications for its Rental Housing Entry Assistance Program. That program provided up to $5,000 in rental assistance to cover security deposits and first month’s rent/last month’s rent.

Your local government does however provide services to help homeless individuals with both emergency shelter and transitional housing. The transitional housing program could be a good way for you to ease back into the rental market without having the high security deposit requirements that the apartment you found has. Monthly rental rates could also be lower.

Call 561-904-7900 to contact one of the three Homeless Outreach Teams (CARP, Palm Beach County Human Services, The Jerome Golden Center). Your Homeless Outreach Team can help you gain access to transitional housing vacancies as well as provide referrals into potential new rental opportunities for you.

Vickers House

Vickers House is a program supported by the nearby City of Palm Beach. Vickers House can help match you with available reduced rate rental units in the greater Palm Beach area. Reduced rent apartments typically provide substantial savings over comparable units and they frequently have lower security deposit requirements.

Vickers House currently shows a listing in Riviera Beach at the Blue Heron Apartments. We show a current one bedroom rate of $575 per month. Call 561-848-8993 for information on Blue Heron Apartments, or 561-804-4970 to speak with a Vickers House case manager directly.

Other Resources

You may also contact some of the following organizations for additional rental assistance resources. Some do provide assistance with security deposit in Riviera Beach.

  • Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach: Call 561-842-2406.
  • Community Action Program (service of Palm Beach County): Call 561-845-4670.
  • Riviera Beach Housing Authority: Call 561-845-7450 for local reduced rent vacancies.

Be sure to advise your case manager that you are homeless. I would like to hear back on what the final solution is.