Tavares – Beginning Monday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m., Lake County residents can apply for rental assistance through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Registration for the program will close at 11:59 p.m. on March 21. 

Lake County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program is available for residents who meet the following criteria:

• Primary residence must be in Lake County and applicants must be renters 

• Rent must be past due

• Applicants must have a documented financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 

• Total household income for calendar year 2020 must be at or below 80% of the area median income for Lake County, as follows: 

Household Size Qualifying Income

1 < $40,750

2 < $46,550

3 < $52,350

4 < $58,150

5 < $62,850

6 < $67,500

7 < $72,150

8 < $76,800

9 < $81,424

10 < $86,077

      To access the application, eligibility criteria, and a list of required documentation, please visit https://lakecountyfl.gov/cares. For residents who require additional guidance with the application process, Lake County will offer appointments for consultation from Feb. 22-26.  Residents may schedule a consultation