Residents of Hialeah facing difficulties in paying rent or at risk of losing their homes can turn to two active municipal programs: the SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) and the ESG (Emergency Solutions Grant), according to the city's official rental and homelessness assistance page.
The entry point for both programs is the same: call 305-883-8040, the number for the City’s Housing and Community Services Division. The city staff guides the applicant, conducts an initial review, and determines the next steps based on the household's circumstances.
What does the SHIP program cover?
The SHIP, funded by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, can assist very low, low, or moderate-income households in obtaining or maintaining stable rental housing. Depending on the family situation and the availability of funds, assistance may include the first month’s rent, the last month’s rent, a security deposit, eviction prevention support, or help for rapid rehousing.
An important detail: payments are not made to the applicant. According to the municipal website, "payments are made to the landlord or another approved housing provider; assistance is not provided as a direct reimbursement to the applicant."
To request SHIP rental assistance, an appointment is mandatory and the process is done exclusively in person. The SHIP program page clarifies that these applications "are currently not available through Neighborly", the online portal used for housing purchase and rehabilitation waiting lists. Anyone trying to apply through that digital route will not be able to complete the process.
The 2026 SHIP income limits for Hialeah range from $28,600 annually for a single person in the extremely low-income category, to $143,900 for a household of eight in the low-income category at 80%. Meeting an income limit does not guarantee eligibility or approval on its own.
What does the ESG program do?
ESG addresses two distinct situations: the prevention of homelessness, for families or individuals at imminent risk of losing their homes, and rapid rehousing, for those who are already experiencing homelessness. Both services are provided by Hermanos de la Calle, an organization designated by the city as a sub-recipient of the program.
Access to ESG is also managed through 305-883-8040. The city can refer the home to Hermanos de la Calle for an eligibility assessment, but, as the municipal website warns, "a referral does not guarantee eligibility or financial assistance."
The ERAP no longer accepts applications
Those who remember the emergency rental assistance program (ERAP) that operated during the pandemic should know that this program is now permanently closed. The city has confirmed that it "no longer accepts applications" and advises residents in need of assistance to contact the Housing Division for inquiries about SHIP and ESG.
It is equally important not to confuse these programs with Section 8, administered by the Hialeah Housing Authority, which is a distinct entity and whose waiting list closed in July 2026.
The need is acute: residents of Hialeah allocate an average of 67.9% of their monthly income to rent, far exceeding the 30% threshold considered affordable, while Miami-Dade has a deficit of about 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 separate programs with different eligibility requirements, and the availability of funds may change at any time. Anyone needing guidance should call 305-883-8040 to confirm which options are currently active and what documentation is required before attending the appointment.
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