Benefits · General Assistance
How to apply for Osceola County Financial Housing Assistance + CDBG Emergency Rental Assistance
Osceola County Human Services Department — Housing and Community Services Division
Who it's for
Osceola County's Housing and Community Services Division administers two paired safety-net programs from its Kissimmee offices at 1392 E. Vine Street. The Financial Housing Assistance (FHA) program helps Osceola residents at risk of homelessness due to unexpected financial hardship by covering rental and utility arrears or providing mortgage assistance to prevent foreclosure. FHA also serves households experiencing literal homelessness with assistance for security and utility deposits to help them re-enter stable housing. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Emergency Rental Assistance Program is a separate parallel pathway focused on past-due rent assistance for households at risk of becoming homeless. Eligibility for both programs requires a minimum of 6 months of Osceola County residency and documentation supporting the hardship. Assistance is provided as a ONE-TIME SERVICE per household — applicants cannot re-apply for 2 years after financial support is provided. Apply at the Housing and Community Services office at 1392 E. Vine Street, Kissimmee, FL 34744.
Osceola's FHA and CDBG Emergency Rental Assistance are STRICTLY ONE-TIME programs — once you've received support, you're barred from re-applying for 2 years. This is unusually restrictive among FL-cluster county programs (most peer counties allow re-application after 12 months or per program cycle). The 6-month minimum Osceola residency requirement is also stricter than peer counties (most require only 30-90 days). The income gate modeled (~80% AMI / $54,000 for 1-person household 2026) is the typical CDBG/HUD threshold. Applications must be submitted in person at the Kissimmee office at 1392 E. Vine Street; phone (407) 742-0200 is the main Osceola County line for routing to Housing and Community Services. Funding cycles affect availability — check current intake status before applying.
What you'll need
- Government-issued photo ID for the applicant
- Proof of Osceola County residency for at least 6 months (lease, utility bills, government correspondence)
- Proof of household income (pay stubs, Social Security award letter, SSA-1099, tax return)
- Documentation of the financial hardship and supporting need (job loss, medical emergency, etc.)
- Eviction notice or past-due rent/mortgage statement (for FHA / CDBG ERAP)
- Past-due utility bill (for FHA utility arrears component)
- Application submitted in person at 1392 E. Vine Street, Kissimmee, FL 34744
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 407-742-0200
Renewals
ONE-TIME assistance per household; applicants barred from re-applying for 2 years after support is provided
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.