Applications for the LA County Rent-Relief Grant Program are now open.
The county Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) announced on December 12 that it will begin accepting grant applications. The rent relief program is designed to help qualified landlords offset the detrimental economic impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and to assist tenants who have fallen behind on their rent payments. The DCBA stated that the program’s funding has been increased from $46.3 million to $68.6 million, thanks to additional grant funding. Consequently, the number of beneficiaries is expected to expand.
The program aims to cover a range of costs and payments from April 2022 to the present. Eligible expenses include qualifying unpaid rental debt and any other substantiated related expenses, such as utilities. It will provide eligible building owners with up to $30,000 per unit.
Priority will be assigned to units located in regions identified as having the highest and high need, according to the LA County Equity Explorer Tool. This applies to landlords or tenants whose household income does not exceed 80% of the LA County Area Median Income (AMI). Furthermore, eligible landlords must be able to fully settle their tenants’ debt for the specified period upon receipt of the grant. Eligibility is also limited to landlords who own no more than four rental units.
To qualify, the rental unit must be occupied by a tenant who is currently behind on rent, and the tenant must not have been evicted.
Grants will be paid directly to landlords. The application deadline is January 12, 2024. For application and eligibility details, visit
Website: lacountyrentrelief.com
BY SUAH JANG, JUNHAN PARK [jang.suah@koreadaily.com, park.junhan@koreadaily.com]
