If you’re a Los Angeles landlord whose tenants can’t pay the rent because of COVID-19, you may want to refer them to the city.
The L.A. City Council has approved a $100 million rent relief fund to help cover the rent of lower-income tenants who’ve been financially hurt by the virus.
To qualify for a grant, a tenant must earn 80% of the area median income or less and be able to document an inability to pay the rent because of coronavirus.
Only tenants can apply for the subsidies, not landlords. And renters must act quickly. The city will only take applications from 8 a.m. Monday until 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 17. All applications will be included in a random selection process.
The program is expected to benefit 50,000 L.A. households, with grants of up to $1,000 per month with a maximum grant of $2,000 per household. The money will to directly to the landlord on behalf of the tenant.
“We know people throughout the city of Los Angeles need assistance, particularly our working poor and disenfranchised communities, who are hit hardest by both the health and economic impacts of COVID-19,” Council President Nury Martinez said, as reported by City News Service. “Demand will be high and serve as a reminder that the federal government must offer billions more in housing assistance if we are going to help all who need assistance to remain in their homes during and after this pandemic.”
For more information on the citywide Emergency Rental Assistance Subsidy Program, visit https://hcidla.lacity.org/.
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