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 September 4, 2020 through June 30, 2021. 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

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.

2019-2020 CAPER Draft:

The Draft 2019-2020 Consolidated Annual Performance & Evaluation Report (CAPER) is now available for the public to review. For questions or copies of any information referenced in the CAPER please contact Nancy Hurley nancyhurley@polk-county.net.   

Here is a link to the draft 2019-2020 CAPER

Required Reports:

Federal Grants:

• Annual Polk Affordable Housing Incentives Implementation Report
• FY 2016-2020 Consolidated & Action Plan
  
• Substantial Amendment No. 2 AAP 2019-2020 CARES Act
• Public Notice for 2020-2021 Action Plan
• CARES Act Covid 19 AAP 19-20 Sub Amend No. 3 Projects ADA
• Overview Of Changes To The 2019-2020 And 2020-2021 Consolidated Action Plans
• 2021-2025 Draft Five-Year Consolidated Plan

State Grants, Plans and Reports:

• Polk 2020-2023 LHAP
• Polk County SHIP Annual Report