Rental Reimbursements: Many Lack Needed Computer Skills

To aid residents utilize for federal earlier-owing hire money, Seminole County opened a laptop lab. It delivers desired tech gear and allows with applications.

SANFORD, Fla. – The federal government’s COVID-19-relief funding can enable renters pay previous-because of charges, but the software system involves some specialized laptop or computer equipment, these as scanners, that decrease-earnings inhabitants never have.

In some cases, landlords are supporting their tenants comprehensive programs, but Seminole County just released a immediate alternative: On Monday, County Chairman Lee Constantine lower the ribbon on a new personal computer lab found in Sanford. The lab acknowledges a “digital divide” amongst county residents and provides locals at the lower-end of the divide a position to get the tips and pc technological innovation they require to implement for support.

The lab has five stations to aid with the engineering part, and staff who can assist people fill out programs if they have thoughts or get baffled. The heart requires stroll-ins, although it depends on room availability.

Cora Yon, plan manager for the Seminole’s community services section, claims some individuals really don’t have scanners at house, numerous really don’t have desktops, and some have minimal encounter navigating websites. Lab team can also enable readers if English is their second language.

“We can assistance wander them through the software alone,” Yon told the Orlando Sentinel. “A ton of it is just men and women who really don’t know how to get the paperwork in the procedure. They have a personal computer but not a scanner.”

People outdoors Seminole County a lot of nevertheless encounter personal computer worries, but they can also use for assist on line. Florida’s Division of Youngsters and Families (DCF) accepts applications from tenants and landlords (tenants need to signal), as perfectly as utility suppliers, for previous-owing payments on a website produced precisely for distribution of $850 million in federal recovery money.

DCF claims the website – OURFlorida.com (Option for Utilities and Rental Support) – was designed as a central hub for facts, and it features commonly asked queries (FAQs), auxiliary support and tools.

For an overview of the program, go to Florida Realtors internet site: Now Readily available: Landlord Programs for $850M in Rent Reduction

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

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