OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Osceola County Commissioners has announced a new eviction diversion program following concerns over a flood of pandemic-related evictions.
An eviction diversion program liaison will be stationed at the courthouse starting Monday to guide people through the program that has helped provide more than $26 million to benefit residents and stave off evictions for those who have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The liaison will be at the courthouse Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. It was announced at a news conference Friday.
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“From the beginning of this health care crisis, we understood its economic impact, and we acted quickly and decisively. Even if someone has been evicted, if it’s due to COVID, the county will assist in helping the resident find new housing,” Commission Chairman Brandon Arrington said. “Our county continues to keep all of its programs open so people can take advantage of all the millions of dollars available to keep a roof over their heads and food in their kitchen.”
The county said it has about 1,600 opened or reopened eviction cases. Its eviction diversion program was launched in October 2020.
If a landlord has filed an action of eviction for nonpayment of rent, residents can call 407-742-8440 or email evictionassist@osceola.org.
“The position is meant to provide help and raise awareness of the county program because a national eviction moratorium expired at the end of July,” the county said. “While a new, more limited freeze was announced by the Biden administration this week, it is not known if it will withstand any anticipated legal challenges. However, at some point these evictions will move forward and the County’s hope is to begin that intervention now.”
The new ban on evictions covers parts of the U.S., including Florida, that are experiencing what the CDC is calling “substantial” and “high” spread of the coronavirus.
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