How Florida Tenants Can Make Long Term Plans to Avoid COVID-19 Evictions

While COVID-19 eviction protections have been extended into the new year, Florida tenants must think about their long-term housing plans. Florida Today spoke with the Director of Community of Hope – a Brevard nonprofit that helps residents find short and long-term housing – about the extension of the eviction moratorium. While he was glad that tenants would have another month or two to figure out their housing, he worried about the long-term effects of the pandemic on Brevard housing. Like many other experts in the field, he predicted a coming wave of evictions. Many tenants have already fallen too far behind to catch up and stay in their current homes. This means that, sooner or later, they will be evicted.

So what can tenants do? There are many options available to help tenants catch up on their past-due rent. The second stimulus package contained another infusion of millions of dollars for rent programs. This means that local programs will soon have more funds to help landlords and tenants get financial help. Many programs operate under a grant system where the money does not have to be repaid by the tenant. This means that eligible tenants can get a grant from the program that pays off part or all of their past due rent in order to prevent eviction altogether, even when it is allowed again. Programs such as Community of Hope may also have more funds to make alternative housing options available to those who are not able to secure a grant.

 
The experienced Florida eviction attorneys at Quattrochi, Torres, and Taormina are here to help all Florida tenants stay in their homes to stop the spread ofCOVID-19. Call 407.452.4918 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.