Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Extends Moratorium On Residential Evictions
MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) - Floridians struggling with rents and mortgages have been given another reprieve, as Gov. Ron DeSantis has again extended a moratorium on residential evictions and foreclosures.
The governor did so Monday night, just hours before a previous extension was to expire — potentially providing temporary relief to scores of financially struggling Floridians who have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The state's unemployment rate remains high — 11.3% in July — with more than 1.1 million Floridians out of work as the state's economy continues ailing amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
The extension means that residents who cannot pay rent or make house payments won't be forced out of their homes until the end of the month.
Many hundreds of thousands of the state's residents lost their jobs, or had their hours severely reduced, when bars, restaurants and other businesses curtailed hours because of the outbreak.
The governor's order does not forgive the payment of rents or mortgages and applies only to people who can prove their loss of income was because of the pandemic.
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)