COVID-19 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

UPDATE:

Due to overwhelming demand, the Emergency COVID-19 Microenterprise Loan Program and the Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance Program are both closed and no additional applications will be accepted by the city as of close of business Friday April 24.

For additional information, please contact the City of Fort Myers, Housing Division at 239-321-7970 or email TEA@cityftmyers.com.

Emergency COVID-19 Microenterprise Loan Program (Applications open April 23, 2020)

In response to the economic impact of COVID-19 on small businesses within the City of Fort Myers, the City will offer limited Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to help microenterprise businesses stabilize and retain employees. A microenterprise business consists of 5 or fewer employees with one of them being the owner. The owner must be low income based on HUD income guidelines for Lee County. The business must be in the City of Fort Myers municipal boundaries. Moreover, the business must have been a viable business and in good standing before the governor’s COVID 19 “Stay at Home Order” April 1, 2020. The help will be in the form of a forgivable loan up to $10,000.

Residents can apply through the City of Fort Myers Portal for Community Development beginning at 8:00 a.m. on April 23.

For additional information, please contact the City of Fort Myers, Housing Division at 239-321-7970 or email TEA@cityftmyers.com.

Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance Program (Applications open April 23, 2020)

Temporary Rent and Utility Assistance is a one time-limited housing assistance program designed to prevent homelessness and increase housing stability for City residents experiencing the impact from the COVID pandemic. Assistance is provided for a maximum period of up to 12 weeks. The maximum amount of assistance received varies per client depending on tenant need and funds available. In order to be eligible for assistance, clients must be able to prove impacts of COVID 19 and have an eligible qualifying “emergency need”. The resident must be low income based on HUD income guidelines for Lee County (Less than 80 percent of median income). They must reside in the City of Fort Myers municipal boundaries.

Residents can apply through the City of Fort Myers Portal for Community Development beginning at 8:00 a.m. on April 23.

For additional information, please contact the City of Fort Myers, Housing Division at 239-321-7970 or email TEA@cityftmyers.com.