Homeless Services

Purpose

FHA helps eligible Osceola County residents who are at risk of homelessness due to an unexpected financial hardship or who are currently experiencing homelessness. Assistance may include rental or mortgage arrears, utility arrears, security deposits, and utility deposits to prevent eviction or foreclosure and stabilize housing.

Application Window

Pre-applications open on the first and third Monday of each month. 

Completing a pre-application does not guarantee assistance.

Residency & Frequency

Applicants must be Osceola County residents for at least 6 months and provide documentation upon request. Assistance is a one-time service; you may not re-apply again for two years after receiving financial support.

Who Can Qualify

You may qualify if one or more of the following apply: 

• You are living in an extended-stay motel/hotel.
• You are doubled up with family or friends.
• You are living in a car or another place not meant for human habitation.
• You are temporarily staying at a domestic violence shelter or transition home program.
• You are facing eviction due to an unexpected financial hardship.
• You are a homeowner facing mortgage foreclosure.
• You own a mobile home and your lot rent is in arrears.
• Your household income is at or below 120% Area Median Income (AMI) (see chart below). 

Maximum Household Income (120% AMI)

What We Cover

• Rental arrears and utility arrears
• Mortgage assistance to prevent foreclosure
• Security deposits and utility deposits for households experiencing homelessness

How to Apply

• Pre-applications are accepted the first and third Monday of each month.
• Be prepared to upload documents that support your financial hardship or proof of homelessness.

Click here to apply

Osceola County partners with the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida (HSN) through DCF TANF funds to deliver prevention services for families with minor children.

This program helps Osceola County families with minor children who are at risk of homelessness (for example: a 3-day notice or utility shutoff). The goal is to keep families housed and stable.

What help may be available (as eligible and if funds are available)

• One-time rent/mortgage or utility assistance (past due only)
• Problem-solving and case management to support short-term stability

Who may qualify

• A household with at least one minor child living in the home
• At risk of homelessness in Osceola County (imminent loss of housing or utilities)
• Household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
• Able to show a path to near-term housing stability (e.g., steady income, realistic budget)

What does “at risk of homelessness” mean?

You’re about to lose housing or essential utilities, typically shown by a notice of delinquent rent, 3-day notice, utility shutoff/termination notice, or similar documentation within the next 14–30 days. (If you’ve already lost housing, see Rapid Re-Housing instead.)

Documents you may need

• Photo ID for adults and proof a minor child lives in the home
• Notice of delinquent rent or utility shutoff notice, lease, and ledger/bill
• Income verification (recent pay stubs, benefits letters)
• Social Security cards and birth certificates (if available)

For More Information

Visit the Osceola Housing and Community Services Office
1392 E. Vine St.
Kissimmee, FL 34744
Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Osceola County partners with the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida (HSN) through Florida Department of Children and Families ESG funding to deliver Rapid Re-Housing for families with minor children.

Rapid Re-Housing helps Osceola County families with minor children who are currently experiencing homelessness move quickly into stable housing. The program provides housing search, short-term rental assistance, limited utility assistance, and case management to help families remain housed.

How to access it

This program is accessed ONLY through our region’s Coordinated Entry System (CES) managed by the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida (HSN), there is no direct application through the County.

• Start here: Call 2-1-1 and ask for a Coordinated Entry homeless assessment for a family in Osceola County, or connect with any HSN Coordinated Entry access point. (link here: Do you need help? — Homeless Services Network of Central Florida)
• After your CES assessment, eligible families may be referred to Rapid Re-Housing based on vulnerability, needs, and funding availability.

Who may qualify

Families must meet all of the following:

• Household includes at least one minor child.
• Experiencing homelessness in Osceola County (e.g., living in a shelter, a place not meant for habitation, or fleeing domestic violence).
• Household income at or below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Osceola County at the time of program entry.
• Willing to engage in housing-focused case management and lease a unit that meets rental reasonableness and inspection standards.

What the program can help with

• Housing location and landlord engagement
• Security deposit and initial rent
• Short-term rental assistance
• Limited utility assistance (e.g., utility deposits/turn-on)
• Ongoing case management to support housing stability

Important: Assistance is time-limited, based on an individualized plan and funding availability. This is not same-day emergency shelter or cash assistance. Completing a CES assessment does not guarantee Rapid Re-Housing enrollment.

Documents you may need

Have as many of these ready as possible (don’t delay contacting CES if you don’t have everything):

• Photo ID for adults; proof of custody for minor children
• Proof of homelessness (e.g., shelter letter, outreach verification)
• Income/benefit verification (pay stubs, award letters)
• Social Security cards (if available), birth certificates (if available)
• Any eviction paperwork (if applicable)