On the agenda at the Los Angeles City Council meeting Wednesday evening is a proposed partnership with the state to eliminate all rental debt for low-income households affected by COVID-19.
The city has already received close to $236 million in federal funding for direct rental assistance. It’s been doling out funds sent to the state for rental assistance, but the new recommendation by the L.A. Housing Department would mean quicker delivery of payments.
If approved, another $235.5 million would be provided to renters in L.A. who have applied for assistance. The money would also stave off evictions.
Approval would allow the city to partner with the California Department of Housing and Community Development “to expand resources in order to assist an additional 52,000 households in the current Emergency Renters Assistance Program, quickly open applications for rental assistance to new tenants and landlords and provide additional months of assistance as needed,” according to a document provided by the L.A. Housing and Community Investment Department.
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Right now the estimated need for rental assistance, about $950 million, far exceeds the currently available funds.
Proponents of Wednesday’s proposal said a deal with the state could "expedite reallocation of available funding to address the needs of L.A. renters."
If the proposal is approved by the council and Mayor Eric Garcetti, renters in the city of L.A. would be able to start applying to the state's rent relief program within 48 hours.
To learn more about rental assistance in L.A., click here.