OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Help is on the way for Osceola County residents having problems paying their rent. The $7 million Osceola County emergency rental assistance program will help residents who are past due on rent payments because of hardships that have occurred during or as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

April Bailey has been renting the same home in Osceola County for the past five years. Bailey’s private landlord offered her a month-to-month agreement after her lease expired at the end of July, but the mom of four cannot pay her rent because of financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She plans to apply for help through the program, which opens up Monday.

“Probably keep me from having eviction over my head. That would prevent me from getting another place in the future or as soon as possible,” she said. 

Her main priority is finding a new affordable rental for herself and her four children.

“Stable housing — that is the most important thing — having a place for them to sleep at night. Home-cooked meals every day,” she said. “Of course, although they are in school now, they have to go to school and have clean clothes and everything.”

Bailey said this is the first opportunity for help she has seen as an Osceola County resident.

“I’ve reached out to people for resources here in this county alone. There is not a lot. There is not a lot,” Bailey said.

The funding is available to people for 1 to 18 months or until all of it has been used. Bailey hopes she will get approved quickly so she can pay back her rent and begin her search for a new place.

Eligible applicants must meet specific requirements. Head here to view the list of requirements.