WEST PALM BEACH — The Palm Beach County Community Services Department (CSD) has contracted with the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County Inc. and Florida Rural Legal Services Inc. to provide county residents with free legal representation and assistance in handling landlord/tenant matters and past due payments through the Rapid Response Eviction Assistance Project (RREAP). The program is part of the CARES Act COVID-19 relief.

Through the COVID-19 RREAP, the agencies will assist individuals who have received a three-day notice or demand for rent from their landlord, been served with an eviction lawsuit or who need help understanding the eviction process. The services include:
• pre-suit mediation between landlords and tenants;
• legal advice regarding the eviction process;
• referrals for rental assistance;
• preparation of responses to an eviction lawsuit;
• assistance in negotiating repayment plans; and

• court representation.

The COVID-19 RREAP is designed to respond to the housing crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic by mediating disagreements between tenants and property owners. Through this program, parties will be able to construct payment plans, temporary rent reductions, deferred payments or other creative solutions to prevent evictions and ultimately homelessness.

The program term is from Aug. 1 through Dec. 30, and participants can receive up to $10,000 in rental assistance. Eligibility requirements for the program include:
• rental unit must be located in Palm Beach County.
• tenant’s income is under 140% of Area Median Income.

Applicants will need documentation to qualify for the program:
• proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residents (per CARES Act regulations);

• documentation proving hardship is directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as evidence of loss of income, reduction in hours, or unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic that contributed to the missed rental payments; and
• an eviction notice (three-day notice or 30-day notice for CARES Act covered parties).

Individuals facing eviction may call the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County’s Rapid Response Eviction Project at 561-655-8944, ext. 328, or Florida Rural Legal Services at 888-582-3410.

For more information, visit legalaidpbc.org/eviction or frls.org.