Jacksonville Area Legal Aid is part of the new Jacksonville Eviction Diversion Program created through a Jan. 31 administrative order signed by Chief Judge Lance M. Day.
Through the program, the City of Jacksonville has set aside rental assistance funds for the benefit of landlords and tenants facing eviction.
The program operates through a collaboration between the City of Jacksonville, LJD Jewish Family and Community Services, United Way of Northeast Florida, the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court, and the Duval County Clerk’s Office. It generally serves residents of Duval County, the Beaches, and the Town of Baldwin who are facing eviction and qualify financially with at least one person in the household that is under the age of 18 or over the age of 65. Other eligibility factors apply.
The program is in response to a dire community need. The average rent in Duval County increased by 31% from 2021 to 2022, and nearly 50% of all Jacksonville renters now spend at least one-third of their income on rent. A rise in inflation has increased living expenses for tenants, which has brought housing instability and evictions to a crisis level.
Judge Day’s order points out that “many of these eviction cases are filed against pro se tenants who are unfamiliar with the law, the complex procedures needed, and the availability of rental assistance funds through a new Eviction Diversion Program in Duval County.”
JALA President and CEO Jim Kowalski notes the innovativeness of the approach.
“This is the first stand-alone, court-integrated, statutorily compliant eviction diversion project ever created in the State of Florida,” Kowalski said. “It has taken the better part of a year to coordinate this effort to obtain city funding both for rental assistance and legal assistance, and to work with everyone to put this in place.”
JALA Staff Attorney Rafael Mas said JALA helps by guiding eligible landlords and tenants through the eviction process.
“The Program is needed, because tenants are facing increasing costs of living and landlords cannot afford frequent turnover,” Mas said. “The tenant benefits by avoiding the serious consequences of eviction, such as uncertainty in finding new housing, time away from work, and moving costs. The landlord benefits by being paid rent owed while reducing costs expected from tenant turnover.”
Landlords interested in participating in the Eviction Diversion Program, should visit JacksonvilleEvictionDiversion.org for tenant eligibility criteria and to complete and file the necessary consent to referral form. By completing the form, the landlord agrees to a 30-day extension of the eviction lawsuit so that the tenant can be evaluated for rental assistance.
About Jacksonville Area Legal Aid
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid is a nonprofit law firm focused on delivering economic, social, and housing justice to low-income and at-risk individuals and families on the First Coast.
If you are an attorney wanting to volunteer with probate and heirs property issues, contact JALA Pro Bono Director Aaron Irving, at (904) 356-8371, Ext. 363, or Aaron.Irving@jaxlegalaid.org.
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