Knowing that with loss of workable hours or complete jobs that many Floridians will have trouble covering rent of mortgage payments in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, this week, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order placing restrictions on any eviction or foreclosure within the State for at least 45 days.

While residents cannot be foreclosed on or evicted while the order remains active, it does not relieve any individual from their financial obligation to pay their mortgage or rent. Many mortgage lenders will add missed payments to the end of loans, with interest still applying.

The City of Kissimmee will work to ensure residents can remain in their homes during this public health emergency and has directed all of its departments to only to enforce orders as required by law. The City is processing more than 2,000 applications for its Rental Assistance Program; no new applications are being accepted at this time. Eligible applicants will be placed on a waiting list for final processing as funds continue to become available.

In other forms of assistance: Heart of Florida United Way is providing guidance and rental assistance. Residents may contact them by dialing 2-1-1. And the Federal Housing Financing Authority (FHFA) has instructed service providers the ability to delay mortgage payments for loans that are federally backed. (Information on this program can be found at www.kissimmee.org under the Assistance tab.) The website also has other forms of  available assistance during the COVID-19 public health emergency.