Housing and Neighborhood Development
Housing and Neighborhood Development works to improve Polk County's communities and help its most fragile residents. It does this by using special state and federal grant funds for numerous projects.
This division manages the money it receives to build roads, drainage systems, playgrounds, housing for homeless veterans, homes for low and moderate income residents and tear down homes that are a blight in the community. Sometimes these projects take only months, but others can take years and must meet certain specifications.
Programs and Services
Temporary Halt Of Residential Evictions
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has issued an Order under Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act to temporarily halt residential evictions for nonpayment of rent from Sept. 4, 2020 through Dec. 31, 2020. A landlord, owner of a residential property, or other person with a legal right to pursue an eviction or a possessory action cannot evict for nonpayment of rent from any ‘covered person’ from any residential property in any U.S. state or U.S. territory where the order applies. This order supersedes local moratorium lifts. Learn more about the order and who is a "covered person".
Submit A Declaration Form
A tenant, lessee, or resident of a residential property must provide a completed and signed copy of the declaration, to their landlord, the owner of the residential property where they live, or other person who has a right to evict or remove them from where they live.
The declaration may be signed and transmitted either electronically or by hard copy. Each adult listed on the lease, rental agreement, or housing contract should complete the declaration.
Know Your Rights
- A 3-day notice is not the same as an eviction
- Evictions are court ordered
- Rent increases must be requested with advanced notice as stated in a lease
- Tenants are not required to pay fees not listed on the lease or addendums
- Tenants are protected under fair housing laws
- Tenants are entitled to a written lease agreement
- Tenants have rights for repairs to be made
- Tenants are entitled to the security deposit if no damages have been made
Filing a Fair Housing Complaint
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)1-800-669-9777
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
This grant program provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Each CDBG-funded project must meet one of the three national objectives:
- Benefit low and moderate income persons
- Prevent or eliminate slum and blights
- Meet other community development needs having a particular urgency
The Community Development Block Grant also funds the county's demolition program, which is designed to eliminate slum and blight in unincorporated areas of Polk.
Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG)
The grant assists nonprofit organizations to provide emergency shelter and associated support services to homeless individuals and families.
Home Investment Partnership (HOME)
The grant funds are used to build, buy, and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent, homeownership, or to provide rent assistance to low-income individuals.
Section 3
Purpose: Section 3 of the United States Housing and Urban Development HUD Act of 1968, (12U.S.C. 1701u) (Section 3) and implementing regulations at 24 CFP Part 135 states the purpose of Section 3 is to ensure that employment and other economic opportunities generated by certain Housing and Urban Development (HUD) financial assistance shall, to the greatest extent feasible, and consistent with the existing Federal, State and Local laws and regulations, be directed to low and very low income persons, particularly those who are recipients of government assistance for housing and to the businesses which provide economic opportunities to these persons.
If you have questions, call the Housing and Neighborhood Department office at (863) 534-5616, or email Bridget Engleman, labor and environmental compliance specialist. Visit HUD.GOV for additional information regarding Section 3.
State Housing Initiative (SHIP)
The State Housing Initiative funds are used to preserve affordable housing for very low to moderate income families. These funds are given to local governments and are based on a populations-based formula.
Community Workshop:
Virtual Fair Housing Community Workshop, 6 p.m., Dec. 1, 2020.
Required Reports:
Federal Grants:
State Grants:
Contact Us
Tamara West
Manager
Phone: (863) 534-5240
Toll Free: (800) 780-5346
Street Address:
1290 Golfview Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
Office Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.