The local governments in two of Miami-Dade’s largest cities are planning to spend millions in financial assistance programs to help business owners and residents pay the rent.

Miami’s city government could provide one-time payments of up to $1,500 to residents who have lost their jobs and need help paying their rent and utility bills. In Hialeah, City Hall plans to give $3 million in grants to businesses and residents to make rent payments for the next few months.

On Friday, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez announced a new proposal to use $2.2 million in federal grants to provide rent and utility subsidies for tenants who have lost work since the spread of the novel coronavirus caused the COVID-19 pandemic, a public health emergency that has shuttered much economic activity nationwide and led to massive job losses.

Under the plan, residents who live within Miami’s city limits would qualify if they had an income at or below 60% of the area’s median income before losing work. According to figures provided by the city, an individual making $38,400 and a family of four with a household income of $54,840 would qualify.

The program would be available only for people living in the city of Miami, not for residents of other municipalities or in unincorporated Miami-Dade County. Miami city commissioners must approve the program before it launches. Suarez said he plans to take the proposal to the commission during an emergency meeting next week.

“This is for residents, to help them with their rent and their phone and electricity bills,” the mayor said.

Suarez said he expects applications to open May 4 on a web page the city would create for the program. Paper applications would also be available at Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) offices across the city.

Under the proposal, residents would be eligible if they:

? Live within Miami’s city limits.

? Have an income at or below 60% of the area median income. In other words, an individual making up to $38,400 would qualify. A family of four with a household income of up to $54,840 would qualify.

? Demonstrate that they have lost work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For those who qualify, Suarez said the city would provide one-time payments directly to landlords and utility companies on behalf of residents. The subsidies would be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Friday’s announcement came the day after commissioners approved spending about $1 million to offer grants and loans to small businesses struggling to stay afloat during the pandemic.

All three assistance programs are being funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The city received the federal dollars as part of Congress’ $2 trillion COVID-19 relief package, which passed in late March.

Help for Hialeah residents

Miami’s financial relief programs for businesses and residents will offer assistance to residents in Miami-Dade’s most populous city. The county’s second largest municipality, the city of Hialeah, is creating similar programs using federal dollars.

Hialeah Mayor Carlos Hernández announced details on Friday of two new programs under the city’s grants department. The city plans to use $2 million to support business owners and $1 million to help residents pay rent.

The “Save Our Business Fund” will distribute grants of up to $5,000 to help businesses make lease payments for up to three months. To be eligible, owners must be current on taxes and fees for business licenses, they must have been active for at least one year and they must provide the city a lease agreement. The city estimates at least 400 businesses can benefit from the program.

A landlord-tenant relief fund, fueled with $1 million in federal grants, will be created to provide renters up to $1,000 per month for up to three months. Once tenants qualify, the city would pay landlords directly.

Residents who can provide a lease would be eligible if they:

? Live within Hialeah city limits.

? Have an income of 60% of the area median income.

? Demonstrate that they have lost work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hernández said the city will start to take applications May 4. Applications for business grants will only be available online. For renters assistance, the city will offer applications online and on paper. The paper applications will be available at the John F. Kennedy Library on May 4. People with questions can call a city hotline: 305-863-2940.

“It’s important assistance we will provide residents in our community during these hard times,” Hernández told el Nuevo Herald. “The majority of our community are people with limited resources who live on low income. Now, more than ever, we need to be united and exhibit leadership so we can get through this.”

El Nuevo Herald staff writer Enrique Flor contributed to this report.

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