Leon County Receives Statewide and National Recognition as High-Performing COVID-19 Emergency Relief Provider

Leon County Receives Statewide and National Recognition as High-Performing COVID-19 Emergency Relief Provider

This month, Leon County was recognized as the top provider for Coronavirus Relief Funds in the state of Florida and one of the top distributors of Emergency Rental Assistance funds nationwide. Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the County has provided critical financial assistance for past due rent, mortgage, and utility bills, and did so more efficiently than almost any other jurisdiction in the nation. 

“Leon County is proud to be leading the state and nation in pandemic relief fund distribution,” said Chairman Rick Minor of the Leon County Commission. “During these unprecedented times, the County has worked quickly and diligently to get this critical financial assistance to those who need it most.”

On September 1, Leon County received the SHIP Award at the 2021 Florida Housing Coalition’s Home Matters Conference. The award recognized the County’s swift distribution of more than $11.4 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds to nearly 4,000 citizens experiencing economic hardship due to COVID-19, making Leon County the top performer in the state of Florida, ahead of second-place Orange County, $9.3 million, and third-place Miami-Dade County, $9.2 million. 

Then, on September 14, the U.S. Department of the Treasury recognized Leon County as one of the fastest and most effective local governments at distributing the first round of Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds. As one of the nation’s leading aid providers, the County has distributed one hundred percent of its ERA1 allocation and more than seventy five percent of ERA2 funds. Since April 2021, the County has approved more than 3,000 households for assistance with federal funding totaling more than $14.5 million in awards. 

“To be recognized as the highest performing local government in the state of Florida and to be nationally recognized alongside much larger governments like Philadelphia and Houston exemplifies the County’s commitment to the health and well-being of our community,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “Throughout the pandemic, County employees have come together across departments, partnered with community organizations and employed innovative best practices to effectively address the challenges that families have faced during the last 18 months. I couldn’t be more proud of our team.”

Through the LEON Cares program, the County has leveraged more than $138 million in federal funding to address the community’s greatest needs during the pandemic. This included direct assistance to households, businesses, and community partners. Learn more about Leon CARES here.

Learn more about the U.S. Department of Treasury’s announcement here.

For more information, contact Mathieu Cavell, Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 / cmr@LeonCountyFL.gov.