Expansion of legal assistance program for county residents
Press release from Alachua County
ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Alachua County is expanding its free legal assistance program to better support tenants facing legal challenges.
Funded through the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), this initiative provides no-cost legal aid to county residents dealing with evictions or legal barriers that threaten their housing stability. The program will sunset in September 2025.
Previously, eligibility for assistance was limited to tenants within a specific area median income (AMI) threshold.
The program has been expanded to serve all tenants residing in Alachua County, regardless of income level, before its end in September.
“By broadening access to this resource for the duration of the program, we are ensuring that more residents in need receive critical legal support to help them remain housed,” said Sarai Cabrera, director of the Division of Social Services.
Ways to access assistance:
Direct Legal Aid & Representation
Examples of cases that may be considered for legal assistance include housing issues (i.e. past evictions), background issues (sealing of record, expungement, etc.), child support enforcement and modification, dissolution of marriage, credit issues affecting eligibility to obtain affordable housing, garnishments, and more.
Tenants facing eviction can contact the following legal service providers for direct legal case assistance:
- Florida Legal Services’ Eviction Prevention Helpline: 888-780-0443
- Three Rivers Legal Services:Â 352-372-0519
Monthly Tenant Legal Workshops
In collaboration with Florida Legal Services (FLS), Alachua County offers monthly legal workshops where residents can speak with attorneys, ask questions, and receive guidance on their specific situations. For details on upcoming workshops, call the helpline at 888-780-0443.
General Landlord/Tenant Helpline
Residents with additional questions or concerns about landlord/tenant issues are encouraged to call the helpline at 888-780-0443.
Since January 2021, Alachua County has received more than $32.9 million in grants to go toward various ERAP initiatives, which included rent, utilities, housing stability, affordable housing, and administrative costs. While there is no longer ERAP financial assistance through this legal services initiative, more than 550 households/1,300 individuals have been impacted by the services.Â
For more information, contact an ERAP information and referral specialist at 352-264-6716.
Do they include mortgage assistance? It’d be more productive to help them buy low rate mortgages instead of paying high rents. But you’d have to get housing builders to design housing they can afford, too.