Announced - Re-opening of COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program

Program Re-opens to Help City of Orlando Residents Impacted by COVID-19 Get Current on Rent Payments not Made Since March 1, 2020  

November 30, 2020 – ORLANDO, FL – Today, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced the re-opening of the City of Orlando’s rental assistance program, a partnership with Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW), which provides support to City of Orlando residents impacted by COVID-19 by providing funding to cover rent payments that have not been made since March 1, 2020. The pre-screening and application process has re-opened at orlando.gov/assistance.  

To date, the program, which originally opened for ten days in September 2020, has provided nearly $700,000 in financial support to more than 220 households. Funds are still available and residents who need support getting current on unpaid rent payments are encouraged to complete the pre-screening and application process at orlando.gov/assistance.   

“The City of Orlando will continue to do all we can to leverage state and federal dollars to help our residents who are facing unexpected and difficult economic circumstances as a result of this global pandemic,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “We are grateful this program can alleviate the pressure and stress families have about their unpaid rental payments, especially while we are in the middle of the holiday season.” 

The program is funded with approximately $1.5 million in State of Florida Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) provided by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. At the Monday, December 7 City Council meeting, the city will consider accepting an additional $949,500 in CRF funds to support residents in need through this program.  

Residents who are interested in applying should visit orlando.gov/assistance to complete the HFUW pre-screening process to determine eligibility. HFUW will email instructions and a link to complete the application to eligible residents following the pre-screening process. While residents are waiting for their pre-screening response from HFUW, they are encouraged to gather all required documents needed to apply. 

Funds are limited and applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis on the date a fully completed application is received. 

These CRF funds are to be used toward providing housing assistance and must be disbursed by December 30, 2020. As such, the pre-screening process will remain open until December 15, 2020 or until all funds are expended. Any application not fully completed and approved by December 18, 2020 will no longer be considered. 

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