New program would stop evictions
Orange County plan could offer a lifeline for some tenants
The Orange County Commission signed off Tuesday on a new program to keep people in their rental homes — and help landlords, too — in response to the historic economic chaos brought by the coronavirus pandemic.
The “eviction diversion” effort, approved unanimously by the commission, will use $20 million in federal virus aid to pay up to three months of back rent or as much as $4,000 on behalf of renters.
Both the landlord and the tenant must agree to the program’s terms before payment is made.
Landlords must drop any pending eviction against the tenant and promise not to begin another for at least 60 days.
“I think there’ll be some appetite for it,” said Chip Tatum, CEO of the Apartment Association of Greater Orlando.
The association, which represents about 1,400 property groups, was consulted by Orange County staff about the program.
“I think it would be advantageous for some property owners to consider, especially if they have tenants who are genuinely making an effort to meet obligations to stay in their homes, but who are just on hard times because of the pandemic,” Tatum said.
The new effort is expected to be important in the face of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to revise the state’s eviction moratorium in such a way that court officials expect a new flood of eviction filings. The moratorium is set to expire Sept. 1.
Even in good times, about 1,000 evictions are filed monthly in Orange County Circuit Court.
DeSantis’ order allows landlords to file evictions and even for some residents to be booted out. The governor’s action prevents only a “final action at the conclusion of an eviction proceeding” and only for tenants “adversely affected by the COVID-19 emergency.”
Jeff Hayward, president & CEO of Heart of Florida United Way, lauded Orange County’s plan in a letter to commissioners.
He said his agency’s crisis hotline has received 4,188 calls since mid-June from people worried they will face eviction.
The nonprofit’s hotline attempts to connect callers with resources.
“When it comes to evictions, the obvious consequences could be homelessness but … homelessness is just the tip of the iceberg,” Hayward wrote.
The new program is similar to the county’s Individual and Family Assistance Program, launched in June, when people in need flooded an online application portal for a chance to get a $1,000 share of $36.5 million in federal aid to pay rent, utilities or other bills.
But Roseann Harrington, the mayor’s chief of staff, said the eviction diversion is intended to keep families off the street.
“There’s a big difference here in that these tenants, some of whom may have already been served eviction notices, know the clock is ticking for them,” she told commissioners. “We need to intervene as quickly as possible … to ensure this individual or family does not end up homeless.”
Harrington said applicants must demonstrate they have the ability to pay future rent if back rent is
paid.
They also must show their loss of income occurred after March 13 when Demings imposed a stay-athome order.
The program is a partnership with the Orange County Bar Association. Lawyers will process all applications.
County government will pay the landlord directly.
Tatum, who represents apartment owners, said he was encouraged by the county’s determination to find a solution for tenants and landlords.
“If it doesn’t perform like they expect it to, they’d be willing to go back to the drawing board,” he said.
The county said it would soon post all eligibility requirements and program details at ocfl.net/OrangeCares.
“When it comes to evictions, the obvious consequences could be homelessness but … homelessness is just the tip of the iceberg.” — Jeff Hayward, president & CEO of Heart of Florida United Way