YOUR CENTRAL FLORIDA COMMUNITY RESOURCE GUIDE

by | June 26, 2024

Read this guide in Spanish here/Lea esta guía en Español aquí

Dear Friend,

Thank you for visiting our Central Florida Community Resource Guide. We first started this page as a resource for COVID19 issues back in 2020, but over the years have expanded it to cover multiple community needs.  If you are in need of any immediate support, please do not hesitate to contact our office at anna.eskamani@myfloridahouse.gov. Also note that we host a Virtual Office Session every Friday from 4:00-4:30pm on our Facebook and Instagram pages. We invite you to join us for those weekly updates. 

This Community Resource Guide was last updated on June 26, 2024.

Economic Support Programs

Floridians are economically struggling right now, and though support options in Florida are limited we want to make sure that you know what options are available to seek the support you need. We do encourage you to contact your local elected officials as sometimes local county and city based programs may exist to support you too. 311 is also an additional resource along with 211.

Housing & Utilities

  • FLORIDA RENT RELIEF: At this time, there is no statewide rental assistance program available for Floridians. There were programs once available via federal funds but those programs have since ended. You can learn more here.
  • FLORIDA UTILITY RELIEF: Florida’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides federal grants to local governments and non-profit agencies to assist eligible low-income Florida households in meeting the costs of home heating and cooling. The majority of the funds are used for utility payment assistance. Learn more here. Always contact your utility company directly if you are behind in payments to see what support can be provided.
  • Energy Efficiency Programs:
    • On Aug. 16, 2022, President Joseph R. Biden signed the landmark Inflation Reduction Act, which provides nearly $400 billion to support clean energy and address climate change, including $8.8 billion for the Home Energy Rebates. These rebates — which include the Home Efficiency Rebates and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates — will put money directly back in the hands of American households. The rebates can help you save money on select home improvement projects that can lower your energy bills. DOE estimates these rebates will save households up to $1 billion annually on energy bills and support over 50,000 U.S. jobs. 
    • Also, if you make qualified energy-efficient improvements to your home after Jan. 1, 2023, you may qualify for a tax credit up to $3,200. You can claim the credit for improvements made through 2032. Learn more here.  
  • GET HELP WITH INTERNET: As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, President Biden and Vice President Harris worked with Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to create the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible households $30 per month off their internet bills. ACP-eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. Unfortunately, starting February 7, new enrollments in the Affordable Connectivity Program were paused and Congress must act to extend funding for this program for over 23 million households.
  • ORANGE COUNTY RELIEF PROGRAMS: Click here to learn more.
    • The City of Orlando is no longer accepting new applicants for rental assistance.
    • Orange County is no longer accepting new applicants for rental assistance.
    • Both are referring constituents to United Way via 211.
    • Not in Orange County? Check out your local county and city websites and contact your county and/or city official to learn more about local relief programs that may be available to you.
  • ORANGE COUNTY OFFICE OF TENANTS SERVICE: With rising rents, a need for safe and affordable housing, and tenants not knowing their legal rights, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners opened its Office of Tenant Services to help residents understand their rights and have access to assistance with these challenges. Learn more here.
  • EVICTIONS: 
  • PRO-BONO LEGAL SUPPORT:
    • Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar: https://www.legalaidocba.org/
    • Community Legal Services: https://www.clsmf.org/
  • THE FLORIDA HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE FUND: This federal fund is no longer accepting new applications. Learn more here. 
  • WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: The Weatherization Assistance Program provides grants to community action agencies, local governments, Indian tribes and non-profit agencies to fund energy saving repairs to low-income homes in all counties. Learn more here.
  • HOMETOWN HEROES PROGRAM: This is a new program that provides some professions with support in purchasing a home. Learn more here.
  • PROPERTY INSURANCE: We know Floridians are struggling with the rising cost of property insurance rates. If you haven’t already, please consider contacting Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate. Learn more here.
    • The My Safe Florida Home Program was re-enacted during the most recent Special Session of the Florida Legislature. The program has two primary components: 1. Provide, free of charge, a home inspection that identifies recommended improvements a homeowner may take to mitigate hurricane damage. Learn more here. The program is slated to relaunch on July 1st due to additional funding from the Florida Legislature.
    • Also, here is a list of must-haves for optional quotes when looking for new property insurance options.
      1. A current 4 point inspection. This will look at the roof, AC, plumbing and electric. Any one of these may disqualify the application if the age and condition do not qualify.
      2. Wind mitigation. This inspection will provide additional premium discounts if the framing is up to code.
      3. Roof age certification. Many carriers will allow older roofs, provided the inspection shows at least 5 years of useful life remaining.
  • OTHER FEES/PAYMENTS: We highly encourage you to check in with companies/landlords to make monthly payments to see what their policies are. Please contact us if we can help at anna.eskamani@myfloridahouse.gov.
  • SNAP AND OTHER PUBLIC BENEFIT PROGRAMS: Sign up for SNAP, TANF, and others here: https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida
  • PRICE GOUGING: If you think you are experiencing price gouging or want to report price gouging please call the Price Gouging Hotline 1-866-966-7226 or visit this link.

HOMELESS AND/OR PRECARIOUSLY HOUSED

Many Central Floridians live in hotels or find themselves homeless. Here are a list of resources to consider if you and/or your family are in this situation.

Homeless

  • Call 211 for an assessment to be conducted, more here: https://www.211.org/
  • Central Florida Commission on Homelessness: https://www.cfch.org/
    • Visit a Community CES HUB or Access Site to speak with someone about eligibility for housing programs.
    • Locations Here: https://www.cfch.org/get-help/
  • Homeless Services Network: https://www.hsncfl.org/
  • Coalition For The Homeless: https://www.centralfloridahomeless.org/
  • Salvation Army: https://salvationarmyflorida.org/orlando/
  • HOPE Team: https://hcch.org/homeless%20outreach.htm
  • Pathways To Home: https://www.pathwaystohome.org/apply-for-help/

Precariously Housed

  • Community Resource Network:https://www.communityresourcenetwork.com/
  • Family Promise of Greater Orlando: https://familypromiseorlando.org/what-we-do/
  • Matthew’s Hope: https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/home

CLICK HERE FOR ANNA’S HOMEOWNER/RENTER GUIDE. 

HEALTH CARE OPTIONS

SNAP/TANF ASSISTANCE

UNEMPLOYMENT SUPPORT & JOB SUPPORT

Florida Unemployment Benefits (now called Reemployment Assistance and known as Unemployment Insurance, or UI)

Finding a Job

Having trouble looking for work? Please contact Career Source for help in finding a job. 

Looking to start a new career? Check out Florida’s Get There Campaign and learn more about in-demand but high value credentialing programs being offered at local tech colleges and state colleges.

SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR CENTRAL FLORIDIANS

Low Income Workers

Food Insecurity

  • Second Harvest Food Bank
  • Pet Food: https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/are-you-having-trouble-affording-your-pet#Florida

Legal Support

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

SEXUAL ASSAULT & DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT

Victim Service Center of Central Florida

  • 407-500-4325 – 24/7 Crisis Hotline is available for people who experience sexual assault during this time and need a forensic exam evidence collection kit done. Can also be used for brief crisis prevention (15 minutes or less).

Harbor House of Central Florida

  • 407-886-2856 -24/7 hotline staffed by Advocates to help people get through this time when they may be in close quarters with someone who is abusive.
  • https://www.harborhousefl.com/