West Palm Beach, FL – Today, Representative Lois Frankel (FL-21) issued the following statement after the Biden Administration announced a new CDC eviction mortarium, which is tied to COVID-19 infection rates across the country.

“Losing one’s home is especially tragic during a pandemic. Congress provided robust funding to help keep people in their homes during COVID-19, with financial help for tenants, homeowners, mortgage holders, and landlords,” said Rep. Frankel. “Palm Beach County is using federal funding directly allocated by Congress to provide assistance for renters and owners who are eligible. President Biden’s new eviction moratorium will only give a temporary delay from eviction. All persons in need of help paying their rent or mortgage due to the COVID-19 pandemic should immediately apply for help through the county.”

Palm Beach County has been dispersing rental assistance since December and has helped over 5,700 families stay in their homes while paying landlords their rent through the county’s rental assistance portal. The portal remains open and additional assistance is available for residents. Applicants can also call 561-355-4792 for help. Some cities and towns are also offering assistance for renters and landlords as well, so residents are encouraged to visit local government websites for information. The state of Florida has also opened a rental assistance portal, which can be accessed here.

While the application process for mortgage assistance has closed for now, the county plans to reopen the portal for new applications in September, and residents should check with their lenders for options to delay loan payments.

The American Rescue Plan emergency rental assistance provided $46.5 billion in rental relief to protect millions of Americans from possible eviction.

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