Orange County to host webinar on emergency rental assistance

With the Centers for Disease Control eviction moratorium scheduled to expire at the end of July, Orange County is asking local nonprofits for assistance with helping residents avoid eviction.

The county is recruiting community partners to participate in an upcoming training course called “How to Apply for Emergency Rental Assistance Program.” The course takes place at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 28, and will explain the application process to nonprofits involved. Interested organizations can register by clicking here.

The goal is to expand the reach and connection with residents in need, and nonprofits across Orange County will be able to learn about the application process in order to help their clients apply and receive assistance.

“We are asking local nonprofits to help us reach those facing eviction,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. “I encourage all those that wish to be a part of the solution to participate in the virtual training session and engage with your clients to make sure they know resources are available.”

According to the county, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program is “an income-based program aimed at continuing to help the county’s most vulnerable tenants who are past due in rent as a result of financial hardships caused by COVID-19.”

The program began taking applications to distribute $33.4 million of federal funds to assist eligible residents on March 1. Funding is used to make direct payments on behalf of qualifying tenants. 

As of July 9, a total of 755 applications have been approved, and $4 million has been approved by the comptroller’s office for distribution.