Will eviction moratorium’s end trigger a surge in Central Florida homelessness?

ORLANDO, Fla. — Now that the federal moratorium has expired, evictions are expected to ramp up across the county.

Here in Central Florida, there’s a fear that a flood of people will need assistance.

But across the area, prior to the Biden administration’s July 31 expiration date, people who applied for financial help have been getting it.

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Martha Are with the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida said this year that they have seen fewer people in need of housing.

The actual numbers of people experiencing homelessness have dropped in large part because of the moratorium.

The moratorium was put in place last September by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help people struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic keep a roof over their heads.

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Data shows by the end of March, 6.4 million American households were behind on rent.

But with the moratorium recently expired, some worry about the number of people that could end up on the streets.

“Everyone’s concerned that we’re going to see at least a temporary increase,” Are said.

People in Orlando who applied for housing and utility assistance on the week of July 23 saw more than 360 cases approved.

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That means a total of $2 million in rental assistance will go to people in need.

Other parts of Central Florida, such as Seminole County, still have about $3.6 million available for people in need.

Osceola County has $15 million more to give residents in need of rental assistance.

“There’s some concern some folks are just waiting because the moratorium just keeps getting extended,” Are said.

See more in the video above.

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