From the Desk of Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero

Dear Residents of Avalon Park,

As we continue to battle this pandemic, I will take the opportunity to inform you how Orange County keeps working to keep us safe and reach immunity. I will also talk about the Emergency rental Assistance program that aims to help those vulnerable families in danger of being evicted.

Now through Monday, April 5th, Florida residents over 40 are able to receive vaccinations at the Orange County Convention Center and FEMA sites. Starting April 5th, residents over 18 years of age will be eligible to be vaccinated in the State of Florida.

Availability for appointments are limited, so I encourage you to monitor our social media continuously to stay updated. The FEMA-operated vaccination hub at Valencia College West Campus (1800 S. Kirkman Road) remains open 7 days per week, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The site will remain open indefinitely. No appointments necessary. To book an appointment, or to find other vaccination options in the County, visit ocfl.net/Vaccine.

Residents who are now 60 and older who do not have a way to transport themselves to the Convention Center site or the FEMA hub site (Valencia College West Campus) can dial 3-11 to find out how to qualify for a ride. Call takers will coordinate with the Office of Emergency Management in Orange County to find free transportation options, courtesy of LYNX.

LYNX needs at least two-day prior notice (before 5 p.m.) to schedule a ride. Since the Orange County’s Office of Emergency Management does not operate on weekends, any ride needed for a Saturday or Monday, must be made the prior Friday at the latest during regular business hours.

The Orange County Emergency Rental Assistance program continues to be available to residents. Orange County’s Emergency Rental Assistance program received $33 million of federal funds to support residents who are at-risk of eviction due to COVID-19 financial hardships.

The application portal remains open until the money is depleted. You can save your application and come back to it later if you don’t all the information or required documents. Please thoroughly read the webpage at ocfl. net/RentalAssistance as many applications have missing and incomplete information.

As always, if you have any question or concern, please email or call my office so we can promptly assist. Stay safe!