TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Governor Ron DeSantis says he's going to sign an order suspending evictions and foreclosures in Florida for 45 days.
Thursday, the governor gave an update on the situation and made the announcement. The governor signed the executive order the same day he made his announcement.
Specifically, the order provides "targeted, temporary relief from certain mortgage foreclosures and evictions for 45 days, without relieving an individual’s obligation to make mortgage payments and rent payments."
That means rent will still be due at the end of the 45 day order. However, the order keeps foreclosures and evictions from happening due to non-payment.
You can read the full order below:
EO 20-94 by WTXL ABC 27 on Scribd
DeSantis also signed an order directs all state agency heads to send some employees to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to help them answer phone calls and assist Floridians.
The governor also directed Ken Lawson, the director of DEO, to immediately procure any software, technology or resources needed to "ensure the state's reemployment assistance call center, website, and staff can accommodate the increasing volume of applications and inquiries."
He said the department has taken more than 2 million calls this week alone.
During the conference, DeSantis also addressed church services. Thursday, he quietly signed an executive order stating that his 'safer-at-home' guidelines overrule local guidelines.
In those guidelines, church services are considered an "essential activity." Church services have gotten a lot of attention over the last few days after a Tampa pastor was arrested for having services despite a local safer-at-home order.
"I don't think the government has the authority to close a church," DeSantis said. "We got with the churches and the synagogues very early. We ask that you do it in a way that's going to be conducive to the mission."
The governor also tried to clarify his safer-at-home order from Wednesday saying, “If you’re doing something with a lot of contacts, probably not O.K.”
You can watch the full press conference below:
