Is there any program to help with security deposit in Pasco County?

(Request from Autumn in Holiday, Florida) My fiancée and our son are looking to move into a house that’s located in a convenient spot for his new job. The landlord of the house is asking first months rent & deposit. We had a referral through a DCF worker for a program that would pay first months rent and deposit. After the landlord agreed to work with us for this referral the program said they could not help us. Now were struggling to come up with the money for the move in. Is there any program out there in Pasco County that would be able to help us out? Any amount of help would be greatly appreciated.

Dear Autumn,

I am sorry to hear that your funding from DCF fell through. Unfortunately this scenario occurs far too common. Public funding has some of the tightest restrictions, and there are many ways in which an applicant can be disqualified. It sure does make it difficult to plan for when you anticipate funding and then are told that you will not be able to receive it.

We can look at some alternatives to rental assistance provided by DCF. We noticed that nearby Pinellas County has quite a few rental assistance programs. There are substantially fewer options available in Pasco County. There is a possibility though.

Metropolitan Ministries

Based in Tampa, Metropolitan Ministries provides rental assistance to Pasco County residents, plus Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk counties. They do this using a couple of different priorities.

First, the organization is committed to stopping homelessness. A lot of the efforts are focused on providing emergency rental assistance so that no family is forced to be without a home. Emergency assistance includes housing aid plus food, clothing and other needs. When cash assistance is provided, it is usually given as a last resort, and often to cover late rent as an attempt to halt an eviction. An eviction notice may be necessary to establish need.

Metropolitan Ministries is also committed to making sure that families find a permanent solution. Their Uplift U Transitional Housing Program can give you up to 18 months of assistance while you work to improve your finances and income. Additionally, the Sanctuary at Waters Avenue is an affordable townhouse community that is available to Uplift U graduates. It ensures that you have an affordable place to live once you have completed the program.

It can be helpful to speak with a case manager at Metropolitan Ministries to find out more about your options. You may call their Holiday office at 727-937-3268.

Pasco County Human Services

Demand for housing assistance is high at Pasco County Human Services. Still, the agency’s programs are well suited to a lower income household that needs help with a security deposit in Pasco County. This can be for rent as well as utilities.

Their Emergency Solutions Grant Program includes a Rapid Re-housing component which may be able to help you make your move to the new house. The agency has locations in both Dade City and New Port Richey.

If you happen to earn more than the income threshold, case managers can still provide referrals and other information. If you are within guidelines, you just might get the cash aid that you need.

Other Options

If your fiancée has high enough income, then he may consider obtain an intermediate term loan. While not as ideal as a grant, it can provide the cash needed to meet the move-in requirements with the flexibility of being able to repay it over several months. Consider that the loan may be repaid early using the proceeds from the security deposit of your current rental property once it is returned.