The Pinellas Eviction Diversion Program (“PEDP”) is a recently launched initiative of the Community Law Program designed to assist qualified tenants and landlords who were financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic by providing mediation, facilitate access to rental assistance, and referrals of tenants for housing navigation services and/or for other basic needs designed to help prevent homelessness. While most communities have largely recovered from the serious health and financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for the services provided by this project still persist.
PEDP Services
Eviction Diversion Helps Tenants
Virtual Mediation
Qualified tenants and landlords involved in active eviction cases (cases already filed with the Court) or eviction related disputes (pre-filing cases) can be offered a free of charge virtual mediation session with a Florida Supreme Court certified mediator. Participation in mediation is completely voluntary, and all necessary parties must agree to mediate.
If all parties agree to mediate, a staff member of PEDP will assign the mediation to a PEDP contract mediator. A staff member or a contract mediator will then coordinate a Zoom mediation. The Zoom mediation typically lasts 30 minutes to an hour and is completely free of charge. The mediation is an opportunity for the parties to express their respective positions and work towards a resolution of the outstanding issues associated with the tenancy (for example, past-due rent due owed to the landlord or repairs requested by the tenant). If an agreement is reached at mediation (which is entirely voluntary - the mediator has no decision-making authority and cannot make either party reach an agreement or sign a document), then the mediator will memorialize the agreement. For cases that have been filed with the Court, this Agreement can be filed with the Court and will become a Court Order. In most cases, the Agreement will end the litigation. For cases that have not been filed with the Court, this Agreement becomes a binding contract between the parties.
Rental Assistance
The landscape of available rental assistance programs to help tenants get caught up on rent is constantly changing. PEDP is here to help tenants figure out if they qualify for these services and to help them navigate the process, and when available may be able to help expedite the process. For you, the landlord, this means that you may receive the very thing that ordinarily might have caused you to file an eviction action, i.e., unpaid rent, and in less time with less hassle.
Housing Navigators
In certain cases, the relationship between the tenant and the landlord may not be reparable, and both parties may wish to part ways. For tenants who are not able to remain in their current housing, PEDP can provide referrals to Housing Navigators for assistance in finding the tenant another place to live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Saves money/saves time/minimizes stress:
- With the benefit of a rental assistance program, you may be able to remain in your home (so no need to hire a moving truck or come up with money for a new home)
- Avoid the uncertainty of when/if an eviction may be filed – agreements are much more likely to be adhered to
- Be heard and understood by a neutral third party who is specifically trained to address your concerns
- Avoid time and the stress of preparing for a court case
- Avoids the uncertainty of an outcome in front of a Judge
- Maintain confidentiality – this program is outside of the court
- Possibly avoid an eviction action on your record
- End your case with the certainty that you have an agreement in place
- You can call us at (727) 582- 7475 or reach out through the online portal.
- A trained Intake Specialist will conduct a 20-30 minute interview with you. He/she will ask you about your residence, your tenancy (do you have a lease? What is your rent? How far behind are you on your rent?), your income, if you were affected by COVID-19, and other related background questions.
- The Intake Specialist will inform you if you meet the criteria for our program. Your application for assistance is complete at the conclusion of your intake appointment.
- Our Staff will assess your case and make recommendations.
- If rental assistance is requested, we may be able to help you with the application and/or let you know if we are able to help expedite the process;
- If mediation is advisable, we will schedule a remote mediation with one of our Program Mediators. This mediation can last up to two hours but usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour.
Our Staff may ask you for:
- Your driver’s license or other photo ID (to prove identity)
- A copy of the lease with your landlord
- A statement of what you believe you owe your landlord
- Any documents you have received from your landlord (such as notices, written warnings, or court documents)
For rental assistance, our staff may ask you for:
- Verification of your income
- Pre and post COVID paystubs or other proof of COVID impact
- Proof of past due utility bills
- Documentation of amounts owed to your landlord
Mediation is a non-adversarial process in which a certified mediator speaks with both parties, listens to their concerns, and endeavors to negotiate an agreement between them. The mediator will clarify the issues, identify areas of agreement, and help develop possible solutions. The mediator is not on anyone’s side and won’t decide who is “right” and who is “wrong.” The mediator will not make a decision on your case, as he/she is not a Judge. Rather, the mediator helps both sides understand each other, brainstorms about solutions, and tries to help the parties reach an agreement to end their dispute.
In most mediations, the landlord and tenant will be in separate “breakout rooms” on Zoom. The mediator will go back and forth between the virtual rooms endeavoring to find common ground with you and your landlord. Mediation is confidential (with certain exceptions), so this means that neither you nor your landlord are to share any communications made during mediation with third parties.
If any agreement is reached, the mediator will generate it, and you and your landlord can sign it. If the case has been filed with the Court, this can be submitted to the Court to end the case. If the case has not yet been filed with the Court, this document becomes a binding contract between you and your landlord.
You will receive a Mediate Intake Form and Agreement to Mediate to complete. Please complete these forms and return them to our office via email 24-48 hours before your mediation. These forms will ask you for a complete copy of the lease, a statement of unpaid rent, and a statement of other issues you may be experiencing with your landlord. Please think ahead about possibilities for the resolution of your contested issues. The more prepared you are in advance, the easier and faster your mediation will be!
If an agreement is not reached at mediation, either party may pursue remedies available to them under the law. It is advisable for both parties to obtain advice from an attorney as to their rights under Florida law.
We encourage active negotiation even if mediation is not successful. You can negotiate an agreement up to the point of going to court, and even after going to court. An agreement can be reached at any point and you can always end your case amicably.