Eviction relief program to launch
County to help renters in trouble
Orange County has stopped accepting applications for grants up to $3,000 to help homebased businesses affected by the coronavirus crisis but is now preparing to launch a new program Aug. 25 to help financiallystressed renters stay in their homes.
The “eviction diversion” program requires both tenant and landlord to agree to participate.
The assistance efforts were created to ease financial impacts caused by the pandemic or measures imposed to stop the virus from spreading. The county also has distributed about $44.2 million so far through its Small Business Grant program and more than $21 million through an Individual and Family Assistance program which gave $1,000 each to households dealing with income loss.
Most of the money for the relief programs was provided to the county through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by Congress in March. The county got $243 million.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said the eviction diversion program should help both renters and landlords.
The application opens Aug. 25.
To be eligible, a tenant must be in “imminent danger” of eviction — and at least two months behind on rent.
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The program, outlined Tuesday to county commissioners, was created to help mostly low- and very-low income Orange County households, and provides landlords and property owners with an alternative to eviction if they accept the program’s terms.
The county will pay up to $4,000 to cover delinquent rent. If more is owed, the landlord must agree to forgive the rest.
The county has set aside $20 million for the program, including $5.7 million from the state, which earmarked $250 million from its CARES Act money for statewide rental and mortgage assistance programs. Court officials and social service experts fear a flood of evictions if a moratorium that has stopped landlords from removing tenants for failing to pay rent expires Sept. 1.
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued the moratorium in April and has extended the order three times.
County officials were still working through some details and application logistics for the diversion program Friday.
The cash awards, which do not have to be repaid, will pay an average of $2,580, program data shows. Payments are based on a business’ 2019 revenues. Most earned less than $30,000 in 2019 and many were shut out of other programs.