Angelenos struggling with housing during the pandemic can now apply to receive additional financial assistance thanks to a partnership between city and state leaders. Applications open at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 1.
Residents in the city of Los Angeles can apply for additional rental assistance through the California Department of Housing and Community Development at HousingIsKey.com or by calling 833-687-0967.
People who already applied for the city's program will be contacted with instructions for the next steps.
City officials said by handing over the city’s rental assistance program to the state, residents would be able to process their applications faster and receive checks quicker.
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Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin De Leon applauded the city's decision to partner with the state and said, overall, the city’s program has been processing applications too slow.
“The fact is that the [state's Department of Housing and Community Development] already has the necessary infrastructure to meet the massive demand facing us,” De Leon said in an update on Aug. 7.
So far, the city's program has approved about 17,000 households for rental assistance, according to Ann Sewill, general manager of the L.A. Housing Department.
Landlords are expected to receive a total of about $235 million in funds to pay off the tenants' back rent, according to a report by City News Service. About 4,000 landlords have already received the funds.
The new agreement allows Angelenos to tap into the more than $5 billion in federal funds the state has received for emergency rental relief, ensuring that renters and landlords who are eligible get the help they need.
City leaders have consistently said less than half of renters in need have applied for the assistance - and that this new application process is their second chance.
The projected need for rental assistance in L.A. is around $950 million, according to the Housing and Community Investment Department.
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