California renters and landlords can get now relief for rent debt

With as many as 1.5 million California renters behind on rent and at risk of eviction because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program was launched Monday and will serve as a lifeline to renters and landlords. It clears accumulated rental debt, keeps the hardest-hit families in their homes, and will lead to a more equitable economic recovery.

CA COVID-19 Rent Relief will help income-eligible households pay rent and utilities, both for past due and future payments. The federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 provides funding to support the program and tenant (renter) protection laws signed by Governor Newsom.

For tenants: Eligible renters whose landlords choose not to participate in the program may apply on their own and receive 25 percent of unpaid rent between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021. To find out eligibility and process, visit https://housing.ca.gov/covid_rr/program_overview.html#renter.

For landlords: If you are a landlord who has one or more eligible renters, you can apply to get reimbursed for 80 percent of each eligible renter’s unpaid rent between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, if you agree to waive the remaining 20 percent of unpaid rent for that specific time period. For more information on process, visit https://housing.ca.gov/covid_rr/program_overview.html#landlords.

El Dorado County partner agencies are needed to assist those in the community unable to navigate the process. For more information on being one, visit HERE.

Californians can visit the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief page through the Housing Is Key website, or they can call toll-free 833-430-2122.