The City of Tampa’s Rental and Move-in Assistance Program (RMAP) provides residents with financial assistance that may include but is not limited to security deposits, first and last month’s rent, and/or an ongoing monthly rental subsidy. This is a gap assistance program intended to provide relief to renters across our city who are facing financial hardship due to rent increases. For new move-ins, participants must apply, qualify, and be approved for the unit without the use of this assistance. For residents in a current lease, participants cannot have a past due balance on their rental account.
Awarded financial assistance will be determined per household.
About RMAP
Under the direction of Mayor Jane Castor, the Rental & Move-In Assistance Program was launched in March 2022 in order to help local renters with their rising rent bills. A total of $5 million from the City of Tampa’s general fund was allocated to initiate the program, with another $1 million approved for 2023. Though most of the City of Tampa’s programs are funded through state and federal dollars, the Castor Administration and the Tampa City Council were both willing and eager to create a program that could be put in place quickly and used to help as many residents as possible.
Though the award amount for each approved household varies, and is based on Area Median Income (AMI), in most cases, the average award a household receives, for up to a year, totals approximately $10,000. At this time, approximately 200 households have been approved. We thank you for your interest and look forward to receiving your application and helping you through the process. We understand the need for assistance is great and it is our mission to provide you answers, and ultimately financial relief, as soon as possible. However, given the overwhelming amount of interest the program has received, please be patient as we work to process every case thoroughly and fairly.
Eligibility Requirements
| Federal HUD and State Income Limits for FY 2022 as of 4/18/2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Household Size | 1 Person | 2 Person | 3 Person | 4 Person | 5 Person | 6 Person | 7 Person | 8 Person |
| Above Moderate (140%) | 80,500 | 91,980 | 103,460 | 114,940 | 124,180 | 133,420 | 142,660 | 151,760 |
| Moderate Income (120%) | 69,000 | 78,840 | 88,680 | 98,520 | 106,440 | 114,360 | 122,280 | 130,080 |
| Low Income (80%) | 46,000 | 52,600 | 59,150 | 65,700 | 71,000 | 76,250 | 81,500 | 86,750 |
| Very Low Income (50%) | 28,750 | 32,850 | 36,950 | 41,050 | 44,350 | 47,650 | 50,950 | 54,200 |
| Extremely Low (30%) | 17,300 | 19,750 | 23,030 | 27,750 | 32,470 | 37,190 | 41,910 | 46,630 |
Current Lease
Program Requirements:
- Unit must be within the City of Tampa limits
- Household must have income (up to 140% AMI)
- Must have an active lease (more than 90 days left)
- Must have a current rent account (no past due balance)
- Cannot be receiving Section 8 or any other regular subsidy
Required Documents:
- State-issued photo ID for all adults
- Proof of Income for all adults
- If employed - Pay stubs (3 most recent, consecutive)
- If other source – SSI/SSDI Award Letter, Pension Statement, Child Support/Alimony Order, etc.
- 12-month lease agreement (Full copy with signatures)
New Move-in
Program Requirements:
- Unit must be within the City of Tampa limits
- Household must have income (up to 140% AMI)
- Must have applied or been approved for a unit (move-in date within 60 days)
Required Documents:
- State-issued photo ID for all adults
- Proof of Income for all adults
- If employed - Pay stubs (3 most recent, consecutive)
- If other source – SSI/SSDI Award Letter, Pension Statement, Child Support/Alimony Order, etc.
- Proof of Application or Approval/Welcome Letter
- For proof of application – receipt for application fee or email confirmation
How to Apply
The City of Tampa’s Housing & Community Development division will be accepting new applications every Wednesday and Thursday, until further notice. Please click the portal link below to submit your application.
Questions
The program has received widespread attention since it started. Once you submit your application, please be patient as our staff works to process your case as efficiently as possible. In general, most applicants receive an update regarding their application status within 14 business days.
For questions about the program, please contact the RMAP Processing Center (813) 274-5151
(Monday through Friday, 10am to 3pm)