Skip to main content
Clear icon
59º

State approves $75 million for rental and mortgage assistance amid pandemic

Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a news conference in Apopka on July 17, 2020. (WPLG)

APOPKA, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Friday afternoon at an apartment complex in Central Florida, where he announced that the state has approved $75 million from the money it received from the CARES Act to go to counties to provide rental and mortgage assistance to those in need.

The governor said a total of $250 million has already been approved to help with affordable housing throughout the state.

Recommended Videos



During the press briefing, the governor also praised Florida’s unemployment rate, which dropped to 10.4% in June from the previous month’s 13.7%, although he acknowledged that there are still many people who are struggling to find work.

The drop reflects the reopening of the state’s theme parks, restaurants, bars and other tourism-related businesses after weeks of coronavirus-related lockdowns.

But economists said Friday that the state’s economic future remains clouded by recent spikes in Florida’s COVID-19 caseload.

That is evidenced by this week’s showing that jobless claims almost doubled last week from the previous week.

Additionally, a host of large hotels have said that they are turning temporary furloughs from March into permanent layoffs at the end of July.

Year-over-year, the hospitality industry has lost more than 1 in 5 jobs in Florida.


About the Authors
Amanda Batchelor headshot

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.

Loading...

Recommended Videos