County Joins State Program to Help Pay Back Rent

State officials today announced the launch of the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program, intended to help income-eligible households pay rent and utilities, both for back and future payments.

The program, which is supported by the Federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, provides financial assistance to income-qualified tenants and provides rent reimbursement to landlords for unpaid rent between April 1 and March 31 according to information released earlier this week. 

“The state’s program will further bolster the county’s own rent relief programs and address the adverse condition from which many lower-income households have suffered due to the pandemic,” Emilio Salas, executive director of the Los Angeles County Development Authority, said in a prepared statement. 

“This additional funding is an effort to help close the equity gap and will provide housing stability for some of our most vulnerable households, especially those in higher need areas,” Salas said.

The city has seen a massive increase in unpaid bills to the Water and Power Department over the last 12 months.  

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has opted into the statewide program to help offer a singular, uniform framework to be deployed throughout California and avoid unnecessary confusion about competing programs among residents.

“The pandemic has exposed and deepened social and economic inequalities in the county, with the burden of the crisis affecting low-income and communities of color,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Hilda L. Solis. 

“Too many county residents have lost their jobs, are continuing to experience food insecurity, and facing housing instability and homelessness. The CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program will help close the equity gap and meet the needs of both tenants and landlords,” Solis said. “This program was developed with the community at the core and will serve as a safety net for our most vulnerable.”

Resources and application information are available at HousingIsKey.com. A CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program call center is available to get help answering eligibility questions, for application assistance, and to provide information on local assistance.

The call center may be reached by calling (833) 430-2122 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily.