Help with Housing

Eviction Assistance Program: If you are overdue on your rent, don’t wait until you get an eviction notice to seek help. Free legal assistance is available:

Gulf Coast Legal Services Housing Stability Assistance

Community Law Program (Pinellas Eviction Diversion Program): Call (727) 582-7475 (Landlords/Tenants)

Bay Area Legal Services: 800-625-2257

Facing eviction now? Know your rights – Read Gulf Coast Legal Services’ Tenant Rights guide.

Pinellas County is working with partners to bring thousands of new affordable rental homes and apartments to the community in the coming years, but the current stock of affordable, rent-restricted housing is at a historic low. Learn more about available options or how to apply for a waiting list for affordable housing:

• The Florida Housing Finance Corporation has a database to help renters locate available apartments in their area: https://floridahousingsearch.org/
• County and City Housing Authorities offer long-term affordable housing and rental assistance programs for income-eligible families, the elderly and persons with disabilities, but most currently have long waiting lists.
  • Pinellas County Housing Authority (727) 443-7684
  • Clearwater Housing Authority (727) 461-5777
  • Tarpon Springs Housing Authority (727) 937-4411
    • Housing Authority Home Share Program
  • St. Petersburg Housing Authority (727) 323-3171
• Seniors on fixed incomes may find available housing through this statewide housing directory: Assisted Living Facilities Search.

• The Adult Emergency Financial Assistance Program (AEFAP) helps individuals and married couples without minor children by providing financial assistance to help prevent evictions, foreclosures, and unhealthy living conditions as essential employment needs (uniforms, equipment). If you have a max income of $25,760 annually or $2,147 per month for a one-person household, you may qualify. Assistance is available on an annual basis based on need for Pinellas County residents. More information is available at this website.
• The Family Services Initiative also provides a variety of help ranging from rental assistance to child care for families with qualifying income levels who have minor aged children. Learn more.

• Homeowners may qualify for low-interest loans and/or grants for home improvements. Learn more and apply.
• Homebuyers can get free first-time homebuyer education and apply for the Down Payment Assistance Program.

211 Tampa Bay Cares connects residents to a wide variety of helpful services offered by local governments, nonprofits and other agencies throughout Pinellas County and our 24 cities. Dial 211, text your zip code to 898211 or use the 211 app.

Pinellas County Code Enforcement Division regulates code compliance in Pinellas County’s unincorporated neighborhoods and maintains a reporting system for complaints. If you live in an unincorporated area of Pinellas County and feel your living conditions are unsafe (for example, due to lack of adequate ventilation or running water), call (727) 464-4761.

If you live in an incorporated area within Pinellas County, visit your city’s website for information about how to file a complaint. If you are not sure which jurisdiction you reside in, please call Pinellas County Code Enforcement and our staff will look up your address and direct you to the appropriate department or municipality.

Mobile Home Park Complaints can be filed with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, a state agency that enforces the Florida Mobile Home Act (FL Statute 723) – this law applies to the rental of mobile homes located on a rented or leased lot in a mobile home park where 10 or more lots are offered for rent or lease. For more info, call (850) 488-1122.

For sanitation issues at mobile home parks, contact the Florida Department of Health Pinellas County.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or financing of housing based on race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, familial status or disability. Report housing discrimination to the Pinellas County Office of Human Rights by calling (727) 464-4880.

Pinellas County Consumer Protection provides consumer resources and investigates instances of fraud, including rental scams. Contact Consumer Protection to file a complaint or speak to an investigator. Call (727) 464-6200.

The following services offer legal help for free or affordable rates for residents in need:

• Self Help Centers
  • Provides affordable legal help to county residents who represent themselves in court and do not have a private attorney. Attorneys only assist with family law, landlord-tenant and small claims.
  • For more information, call:
    • Clearwater – (727) 464-5150
    • St. Petersburg – (727) 582-7941
    • North County – (727) 464-5150
• Gulfcoast Legal Services
  • (727) 821-0726
  • Provides free legal aid to income eligible residents of the greater Tampa Bay area. Services include housing, mortgage foreclosure and consumer matters.
• Bay Area Legal Services
  • (800) 625-2257
  • Provides free civil legal help to income-eligible residents, seniors and veterans.
• Community Law Program
  • (727) 582-7480
  • Provides free civil legal services to financially eligible residents.

• Lawyer Referral Service
  • (727) 461-4880
  • Makes legal services readily available to individuals and families in need of a lawyer.
• Florida Senior Legal Helpline
  • 1-888-895-7873
  • A free statewide legal service funded by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and managed by Bay Area Legal Services, Inc. Provides free legal advice and brief services to Florida residents aged 60 and older.

• You have the right to a safe living space with structures such as a roof, walls and windows in reasonably good condition.
• You have a right to functioning facilities for heat during the winter, running water and hot water.
• You have the right to not be discriminated against.

Protect Yourself

• Have a written lease.
• Before you sign the lease, make sure you read and understand the terms of the agreement. For help on what to look for in a lease, see Tenant Tips for Lease Agreements from Gulfcoast Legal Services.
• Notices to and from a landlord must be in writing.
• Keep copies of all documents for your records.
• Before you move in and prior to moving out, conduct a walk-through with the landlord and document any damage with photographs.
• If your rent was paid monthly, and your lease ends, and you do not sign a renewal but remain on the property with the permission of the landlord, you are now living month-to-month. If you are on a month-to-month lease, Florida law says you must receive at least a 15-day notice before your rent can be raised or the eviction process can begin.
• If you do not pay your rent on time and you get a 3-day notice to pay or vacate, pay your rent immediately or get help. This is the first step in the eviction process.
• When you get ready to move from a rental unit, regardless of the duration, be sure to give advance notice as specified in your lease, settle all accounts, understand the conditions of the security deposit, provide a forwarding address and leave the premises in a clean condition.
• Watch out for signs of a scam. Learn more…
• View our Quick Tips for Renters Flyer for additional guidance and a list of resources in the community.

Before you rent, know your rights and responsibilities under the law. Pinellas County does not have rent control. Florida Statute 83, Landlord and Tenant, Part II, Residential Tenancies: www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes. Learn more about the Florida Residential Landlord Tenant Act.