Orange County extends rental assistance to Orlando residents after city pauses program

Orange County will offer rental assistance to Orlando residents beginning Wednesday while the city’s program is paused until mid-January.

The city stopped doling out relief funds this month because of an ongoing bidding process to choose a vendor for the next $6.8-million pot of federal dollars approved under the American Rescue Plan.

So far, about 1,600 households within the city limits have benefited from the initial $8.6-million allotment under the COVID19 relief bill approved by Congress. The incomebased program helps cover past-due rent and utility payments for residents whose finances took a hit because of the pandemic.

“Orange County Government is happy to team up with the City of Orlando to ensure that critical resources remain in place and are available for all residents,” Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said in a statement. “This partnership will help ensure no rent-stressed family is left behind while Orlando waits for more rental assistance funding.”

Orlando residents can apply for rental assistance by filling out an application at ocfl.net/rentalassistance.

As of Dec. 3, Orange County has approved nearly $14.6 million in rental relief money for 2,635 individuals and families.

“We are proud the city was able to quickly and efficiently provide emergency rental assistance to help more than 1,650 families get caught up on unpaid rent and stay safely in their homes,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said in a statement. “We anticipate having additional funds available to assist more families in January and we appreciate the collaborative relationship with Orange County to temporarily accept applications from City of Orlando residents to ensure that no resident has unmet needs during this time.”