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FILE – In this Thursday, May 14, 2020, file photo, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a news conference in Doral, Fla. A federal appellate court has stayed a lower court ruling that gave impoverished Florida felons the right to vote. The order issued Wednesday, July 1, 2020, disappointed voting rights activists and could have national implications in November’s presidential election. In May, a federal judge ruled that Florida law can’t stop disenfranchised felons from voting because they can’t pay back any legal fees and restitution they owe. DeSantis immediately appealed to the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, requesting a stay of the ruling and a review of the case by the full appeals court. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File) Gov. DeSantis held a news conference with an update on COVID-19 Apopka Friday afternoon. During the presser, DeSantis announced Florida Housing Finance Corporation‘s board of directors unanimously approved the release of $75 million to local governments to assist Floridians in need of rental and mortgage assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the CARES Act, DeSantis made available $250 million, of which $120 million will be sent to local governments to provide rental and mortgage assistance program. The $75 million approved Friday is the first release of the funding to local governments. “The COVID-19 pandemic has caused profound disruption to families throughout the state,” DeSantis said. “It is my hope that these funds and the rest of the $250 million will provide some level of relief to individuals who—through no fault of their own—are now having difficulty making ends meet.” According to the governor’s office, he $75 million includes allocations to many local governments in Florida, but the governor traveled to the City of Apopka to highlight Orange County’s allocation of $7.3 million. For a full list of the allocations, click here. “As Floridians continue to struggle with the negative economic impacts of COVID-19, Florida Housing remains committed to providing renters and homeowners with housing assistance,” said Trey Price, the executive director of Florida Housing Finance Corporation. “We are proud to stand with the Governor to ensure affordable housing remains a top priority, and that families have the necessary assistance to remain in their homes during these difficult times.” $120 Million Coronavirus Relief Fund for Impacted Homeowners and Renters: Impacted homeowners and renters can apply for the following assistance through a local State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program housing office: Rental and mortgage assistance payments for persons who experienced a hardship that prevents them from making these payments Emergency repair Rehabilitation and New Construction related specifically to a need caused by the COVID-19 emergency Click here for more information on the program and how to start the process. Florida Housing encourages homeowners and renters impacted by the pandemic to visit the website. Also, the toll-free Coronavirus Relief Fund for Impacted Homeowners and Renters Information Line 1-888-362-7885 will be available starting Monday, July 20 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays for those who would like to speak with a representative. You can watch the full news briefing in the player below: