Ron DeSantis: $75 Million Available for Floridians Needing Help With Rent, Mortgages During COVID-19 Pandemic

On Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $75 million for local governments to help Floridians with their rent and mortgages as the Sunshine State continues to struggle with the coronavirus pandemic.

DeSantis announced that the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) Board of Directors voted without opposition to send $75 million to local governments. The funds are part of $250 million sent to Tallahassee as part of $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) that Congress and the White House agreed on at the end of March.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused profound disruption to families throughout the state,” said DeSantis. “It is my hope that these funds and the rest of the $250 million will provide some level of relief to individuals who—through no fault of their own—are now having difficulty making ends meet.”

For a list of allocations, see here.

“As Floridians continue to struggle with the negative economic impacts of COVID-19, Florida Housing remains committed to providing renters and homeowners with housing assistance,” said Trey Price, the executive director of Florida Housing Finance Corporation. “We are proud to stand with the Governor to ensure affordable housing remains a top priority, and that families have the necessary assistance to remain in their homes during these difficult times.”

Floridians can apply for the funds through local State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program housing offices. The funds can be used for “rental and mortgage assistance payments for persons who experienced a hardship that prevents them from making these payments; emergency repair; and rehabilitation and new construction-related specifically to a need caused by the COVID-19 emergency.”

Starting on Monday, there will be  toll-free Coronavirus Relief Fund for Impacted Homeowners and Renters Information Line 1-888-362-7885 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays for those who would like to speak with a representative.

Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.