Soto Leads Bipartisan Effort to Stop Evictions in Florida During Coronavirus Pandemic

Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09) led Members of the Florida Congressional Delegation in sending a bipartisan letter that requests the Florida Cabinet in cooperation with the Florida Courts temporarily suspend all eviction and foreclosure proceedings in the State of Florida for 60 days during the national emergency of the coronavirus pandemic.

"During this unprecedented public health and economic crisis, many Floridians are furloughed, underemployed or unemployed and unable to pay their rent, mortgage or hotel / motel charges," wrote the Members. "On March 18, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development authorized the Federal Housing Administration to put an immediate moratorium on foreclosures and evictions for the next 60 days for homeowners who are unable to pay their FHA-backed mortgages as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Issuing a similar decision for the State of Florida will allow homeowners and renters the stability they need to care for themselves and their families, stop the spread of coronavirus, and save precious state resources."

The letter was signed by Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14), Val Demings (FL-10), Lois Frankel (FL-21), Al Lawson Jr. (FL-05), Stephanie Murphy (FL-07), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Matt Gaetz (FL-01), Charlie Crist (FL-13), Ted Deutch (FL-22), Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20), Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26), Donna E. Shalala (FL-27), Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (FL-23) and Ted Yoho (FL-03).

Full text of the letter is attached and below:

March 24, 2020

The Honorable Ron DeSantis Office of Governor Ron DeSantis State of Florida

The Capitol

400 S. Monroe St.

Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001

The Honorable Nicole "Nikki" Fried Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Plaza Level 10, The Capitol

400 S. Monroe St. Tallahassee, FL 32399-0800

The Honorable Ashley Moody Office of the Attorney General State of Florida

PL-01 The Capitol Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050

The Honorable Jimmy Patronis Office of the Chief Financial Officer Plaza Level 11, The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32399

Chief Justice Charles T. Canady Florida Supreme Court

500 South Duval Street, Tallahassee FL 32399-1925.

Dear Florida Cabinet Members and Chief Justice Charles Canady,

We write to express our sentiments that the Florida Cabinet in cooperation with the Florida Courts should temporarily suspend all eviction and foreclosure proceedings in the State of Florida for 60 days during the national emergency of the coronavirus pandemic. We believe this moratorium also apply to Florida residents living in hotels and motels throughout the state.

During this unprecedented public health and economic crisis, many Floridians are furloughed, underemployed or unemployed and unable to pay their rent, mortgage or hotel / motel charges. If they are forced to vacate their homes, it will only exacerbate this health crisis by contributing to the spread of the coronavirus. This will also put an additional strain on our state resources at a time when they are already stretched dangerously thin.

On March 18, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development authorized the Federal Housing Administration to put an immediate moratorium on foreclosures and evictions for the next 60 days for homeowners who are unable to pay their FHA-backed mortgages as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Issuing a similar decision for the State of Florida will allow homeowners and renters the stability they need to care for themselves and their families, stop the spread of coronavirus, and save precious state resources. We appreciate your full and fair consideration of our letter and your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Darren Soto

Kathy Castor

Val Demings

Lois Frankel

Al Lawson, Jr.

Stephanie Murphy

Frederica Wilson

Matt Gaetz

Charlie Crist

Ted Deutch

Alcee L. Hastings

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell

Donna E. Shalala

Debbie Wasserman-Schultz

Ted Yoho

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Congressman Darren Soto represents Florida's 9th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which includes Osceola County, as well as parts of Orange and Polk counties.