Mayor Eric Garcetti and Council President Nury Martinez have announced a new partnership between the City of Los Angeles and the State of California that will allow Angelenos to access additional state and federal rental assistance funds. The move has ensured that all qualified applicants who have already applied for assistance are able to access funding, and allowed Angelenos who have not previously applied for funding to submit applications starting Sept. 1.
“Every Angeleno who has had their livelihood upended by this pandemic and is in need of rental assistance should be able to get it, full stop,” said Garcetti. “COVID-19 has dealt a devastating blow to our residents, and it’s our responsibility as a government to help them weather this crisis. This partnership with the State builds on our local rental relief efforts to make it clear that every renter who is eligible for rental assistance will be able to access this program.”
Los Angeles’ demand for rental assistance has far exceeded the City’s allocated funding, with $235.5 million received in the first round of funding compared to more than $500 million in rental debt reported in just the first year of the pandemic. The new partnership with the State will give Angelenos access to a much larger pool of resources and help to ensure that all qualified demand for assistance is met.
“The State’s program will serve all Angelenos struggling with rent payments as COVID-19 continues to impact their livelihoods,” said Gustavo Velasquez, director of the Department of Housing and Community Development, the administrator of the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program. “HCD has a robust application infrastructure in place, partners on the ground to meet Angelenos where they are, and hundreds of case managers helping people statewide through the application process. We have ramped up to do everything in our power to make Angeleno renters and landlords whole.”
City of Los Angeles renters and landlords will be able to apply for assistance through the State program via HousingIsKey.com. Residents can also call the appointment call center at (833) 687-0967.
