People who are homeless or close to becoming one because their homes are in danger of being placed on Orlando foreclosure listings, will receive rent assistance. Local governments in the city of Orlando and Central Florida will hand out as much as $7.1 million to help hundreds of homeless families pay their rent.
The program is geared for individuals who lost their jobs or families severely affected by the continuing economic downturn. The program is aimed specifically for renters or prospective renters.
For individuals who qualify for the program, Orlando city and five counties in Central Florida will provide rental assistance, utility or security deposits or moving cost assistance.
Industry experts said that the funding will ease the impact of recession and growing foreclosure listings in Orlando on individuals and families. They said that many have lost their homes and jobs and could not afford to pay their rent.
The fund is made possible by the $1.5 billion under the federal stimulus program, Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program, which is aimed at helping people on the brink of homelessness and families who have lost their rental houses.
The most populous counties and cities in Florida will share the almost $63.3 million federal funds. Nearly $7.1 million funds will be distributed among the counties of Seminole, Orange, Polk, Volusia and Brevard and the city of Orlando.
It will take several weeks for urban counties, metropolitan cities and states to receive the federal funds. But many have already designated private charitable organizations to assist them in managing and working with an expected large numbers of homeless individuals and families.
The government of Orange County is planning to work with the organization, Heart of Florida United Way and its member agencies. Similarly, Orlando will partner with the Coalition for the Homes, Miracle of Love and Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando.
Paulette Edwards, the city deputy housing director, said that many organizations have extensive experience working with homeless, adding that the city needs their help and resources.
To qualify for the program, families must meet the low income requirement. This means that they have to earn 50 percent or less of the median income in the area. In Orlando, the annual median income amounted to $21,450 for individuals and $30,450 for a four-member family.
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