Rental Reimbursements: Many Lack Needed Computer Skills

To support residents apply for federal previous-owing rent revenue, Seminole County opened a laptop or computer lab. It gives required tech devices and helps with apps.

SANFORD, Fla. – The federal government’s COVID-19-aid funding can enable renters pay past-owing costs, but the application procedure needs some specialized computer gear, this sort of as scanners, that reduce-money inhabitants really do not have.

In some instances, landlords are assisting their tenants total applications, but Seminole County just launched a direct resolution: On Monday, County Chairman Lee Constantine minimize the ribbon on a new laptop lab positioned in Sanford. The lab acknowledges a “digital divide” amid county people and gives locals at the lessen-end of the divide a location to get the suggestions and computer system technological know-how they have to have to use for help.

The lab has five stations to assist with the technological innovation aspect, and staff members who can aid visitors fill out programs if they have queries or get puzzled. The centre takes walk-ins, though it depends on place availability.

Cora Yon, program manager for the Seminole’s group products and services section, suggests some folks don’t have scanners at property, many never have desktops, and some have minimal experience navigating web-sites. Lab employees can also help site visitors if English is their second language.

“We can aid walk them by means of the software alone,” Yon explained to the Orlando Sentinel. “A lot of it is just individuals who don’t know how to get the documents in the method. They have a computer but not a scanner.”

Inhabitants outdoors Seminole County several continue to confront pc problems, but they can also use for aid online. Florida’s Division of Small children and People (DCF) accepts purposes from tenants and landlords (tenants have to indicator), as nicely as utility companies, for earlier-because of payments on a site created specially for distribution of $850 million in federal restoration cash.

DCF claims the web-site – OURFlorida.com (Chance for Utilities and Rental Guidance) – was made as a central hub for info, and it involves commonly questioned thoughts (FAQs), auxiliary assistance and resources.

For an overview of the method, pay a visit to Florida Realtors site: Now Out there: Landlord Applications for $850M in Lease Aid

Supply: Caroline Glenn, Orlando Sentinel, July 12, 2021

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