There are billions of dollars available for rent relief in California but many tenants, who've fallen behind on payments due to the pandemic, have yet to ask for help.
A US Census survey indicates nearly 2 million people in the state owe back rent.
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Eviction protections approved earlier this year are set to expire on June 30.
$2.6 billion has been set aside to help struggling renters.
The state administers $1.4 billion of it but has received requests for only $432 million so far.
With another $2.6 billion for rent relief coming from the federal government, Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed expanding the program to cover 100% of back rent.
Right now, it covers only 80% for landlords who agree to forgive the rest. If a landlord doesn't want to participate in the program, a renter can get enough money to cover 25% of what's owed, which is just enough to keep them from being evicted.
"I think, if the proposal to raise it to 100 percent is approved, that will vastly improve the uptick on the rental assistance," Russ Heimerich, who is a spokesman for the state's Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.
He says concerns have been raised about the application process being too complicated and the agency is looking to make it more "user-friendly."
