[FL Statewide Tele-Town Hall] — On March 31, housing advocates from across Florida will come together the day before their rent payments are due to ask their elected officials to cancel rent payments for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis. During the National #CancelRent and #CancelMortgages day of action, renters, manufactured homeowners, and homeowners in FL will hold a tele-town hall with FL community members and local and state elected officials to make the case for rent suspension and alleviation in our community.
Long before the COVID-19 pandemic, families in Florida have struggled to afford rent. Now with layoffs rampant across industries and many companies still dragging their feet about providing paid sick leave if a person contracts the virus, the housing affordability crisis has become even more acute. Many families are left without the income they need to make their rent payments.
Last week, the Florida Housing Justice Coalition issued a letter of demands to Governor Ron DeSantis. Over 450 individuals and nearly 30 local and state officials. Demands include:
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Cancel rent and mortgage payments through crisis + 30 days
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Moratorium on evictions, foreclosures, and utility shut-offs through crisis + 30 days
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Direct Assistance to renters and homeowners to pay for basic needs
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House the homeless
The Florida Housing Justice Alliance in partnership with the Center for Popular Democracy will host The tele-event(virtual press conference) happens tomorrow, from 1PM – 1:30PM, and will feature directly impacted Floridians, and local and state officials urging state action on housing security. Confirmed speakers include State Senator Victor Torres (D15, Osceola & Orange), Gainesville Commissioner Gail Johnson and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava.
Details can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/211888773207724/)
