Orange Co. says you don't need to wait for eviction notice to be eligible for rental assistance; updates on COVID-19

Orange County is currently holding redistricting meetings. The goal of redistricting is to readjust the population between commission districts so that no Orange County Commissioner is representing substantially more individual residents than the other commissioners.

From the Orange County Newsroom

Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings gave a coronavirus update at Thursday's news conference including 14-day rolling positivity numbers, eviction assistance, testing and vaccination locations and more.

COVID-19 BY THE NUMBERS

As of Wednesday, September 22, 2021, the Florida Department of Health is reporting that Orange County’s 14-day rolling positivity rate is 10.57 percent. Additional County statistics include:

CDC level of community transmission: HIGH

Eligible residents (12+) who have one vaccine dose: 73 percent

Eligible residents (12+) who have completed their vaccination series: 63 percent

Total positive cases for Orange County residents: 224,587

EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE

It is important to know that residents do not need to wait for an eviction notice to be eligible and begin the application process for the County’s Emergency Rental Assistance program.

If the COVID-19 pandemic has caused your family to struggle with rent, or if you are facing eviction, you are not alone. If your household is behind on rent payments, Orange County may be able to help. Eligible residents can receive up to 12 months of past due rent, and up to one month of future rent, up to a total of $20,000. As of Thursday, September 23, 2021, $9.3 million have been distributed to keep 1,663 families in their homes.

Residents can visit ocfl.net/RentalAssistance to review program details, required documents, frequently asked questions and to check if their address is eligible.

COVID-19 SERVICES EXTENDED THROUGH OCTOBER

As a reminder, Orange County Government’s Health Services Department has announced it will extend both COVID-19 testing and vaccination until the end of October 2021.

Free Drive-thru COVID-19 Vaccinations:

Camping World Stadium

1 Citrus Bowl Place, Orlando, FL 32805

Open daily from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., or until capacity is reached

No appointments needed, only four (4) persons per vehicle

For additional information about COVID-19 vaccines, please visit ocfl.net/VaccineSites.

Free Drive-thru COVID-19 Testing:

Econ Soccer Complex

8035 Yates Road, Orlando, FL 32807

Open daily from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., or until capacity is reached

No walk-ups, only four (4) persons per vehicle

Former site of Clarcona Elementary School - APOPKA LOCATION

3607 Damon Rd, Apopka, FL 32703

Open daily from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., or until capacity is reached

No walk-ups, only four (4) persons per vehicle

Barnett Park

4801 W Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32808

Open daily from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., or until capacity is reached

No walk-ups, only four (4) persons per vehicle

For additional information about COVID-19 testing, please visit ocfl.net/Testing.

REDISTRICTING

Every 10 years the Florida Constitution and the Orange County Charter calls for a reconfiguration of political boundaries. As the latest census was completed by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2020, Orange County must complete its decennial redistricting process by March 2022. The goal of redistricting is to readjust the population between commission districts so that no Orange County Commissioner is representing substantially more individual residents than the other commissioners.

The second meeting of Orange County Government's 2021 redistricting process begins next week, Monday, September 27, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. Residents can attend in-person or stream the meeting on the County's Facebook page or ocfl.net/OTVLive.