Rental Assistance in Hialeah: How to Apply and Which Programs Are Available

Residents of Hialeah facing challenges in paying rent or at risk of losing their homes can turn to two active municipal programs: the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), as per the city's official rental assistance and homelessness support page.

The initial step for both programs is the same: contacting the city's Housing and Community Services Division at 305-883-8040. The municipal staff will guide applicants, conduct a preliminary review, and determine the next steps based on household circumstances.

Understanding SHIP Assistance

Funded by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, SHIP can assist households with very low, low, or moderate incomes in securing or maintaining stable rental housing. Depending on the family's situation and available funds, aid may cover the first month's rent, last month's rent, security deposit, eviction prevention, or rapid rehousing support.

A key detail: payments are not made directly to the applicant. According to the city's website, "payments are made to the landlord or another approved housing provider; assistance is not provided as a direct reimbursement to the applicant."

To apply for SHIP rental assistance, an appointment is mandatory, and the process must be completed in person. The SHIP program page clarifies that these applications "are not currently available through Neighborly," the online portal used for housing purchase and rehabilitation waiting lists. Attempting to apply through this digital route will result in an incomplete process.

The SHIP income limits for Hialeah in 2026 range from $28,600 annually for an individual in the extremely low-income category to $143,900 for an eight-person household in the 80% low-income category. Meeting an income limit does not automatically ensure eligibility or approval.

What ESG Offers

ESG addresses two distinct situations: homelessness prevention for families or individuals at imminent risk of losing their shelter, and rapid rehousing for those already without a home. Both services are provided by Brothers of the Street, the organization designated by the city as the program's sub-recipient.

Access to ESG is also managed through the same 305-883-8040 number. The city may refer households to Brothers of the Street for an eligibility evaluation, but, as the municipal website warns, "a referral does not guarantee eligibility or financial assistance."

ERAP Closure and Program Clarifications

For those who recall the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) that operated during the pandemic, it's important to note that this program has been permanently closed. The city has confirmed it "no longer accepts applications" and advises residents in need to contact the Housing Division for information on SHIP and ESG.

It is also crucial not to confuse these programs with Section 8, managed by the Hialeah Housing Authority, a separate entity whose waiting list closed in July 2026.

The need is acute: Hialeah residents spend an average of 67.9% of their monthly income on rent, far above the 30% affordability threshold, while Miami-Dade faces a shortage of around 118,000 affordable housing units for low- and moderate-income households, according to the Shimberg Center for Housing Studies at the University of Florida.

SHIP and ESG are distinct programs with different eligibility requirements, and the availability of funds can change at any time. Anyone in need of guidance should call 305-883-8040 to confirm which options are active and what documentation is required before scheduling an appointment.