CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Offers Assistance to Renters Impacted Financially by the Pandemic
If you’re behind on rent due to a COVID-19 pandemic-related financial hardship, the state's CA COVID-19 Rent Relief can help you. The program helps income-eligible households in California pay rent and utilities, both for past due and future payments and can help landlords.
The CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program is designed to help low-income Californians through the payment of unpaid rent to landlords. Funding for this program comes from the $2.6 billion in federal rental assistance.
Landlords
Landlords who participate in the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program can get reimbursed for 80% of an eligible renter’s unpaid rent between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, if they agree to waive the remaining 20% of unpaid rent during that specific time period.
Renters
Eligible renters whose landlords choose not to participate in the program may apply on their own and receive 25% of unpaid rent between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021. Paying this 25% by June 30, 2021 can help keep you in your home under the extended eviction protections in SB 91. Learn more about SB 91.
Future Rent
Eligible renters can receive future rent assistance equal to 25% of their monthly rent. Combined with the assistance available for unpaid rent, future assistance will help renters stay housed once the eviction protections in SB 91 expire on June 30, 2021.
Utility Assistance
Eligible renters may also receive assistance for unpaid utilities and future payments. Unpaid utilities accumulated from April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021 will be compensated at 100% of cost, limited to a total of 12 months.
Applications must include all required information, along with necessary verification items.
Once an application has been successfully processed, both the landlord and renter will be notified about the application status.
The CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program is not on a first come, first served basis. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. For all applications received, the state will first review and commit funds to applicants who are eligible and meet the priority requirement having income at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI) to ensure those most in need receive assistance.
What Can I Do to Get Ready?
Find out if you are eligible to apply
Gather the paperwork/information you will need to apply
Monitor this website for updated information https://housing.ca.gov/covid_rr/index.html.
Visit http://HousingIsKey.com or call 833-430-2122 to see if you are eligible and apply, get application help, or to find a Local Partner Network organization near you.