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Housing and Homelessness

Here’s How LA Tenants Can Get Help Applying for Rent Relief Before The March 31 Deadline

A group of women gathered around a table under a canopy. The table has a black tablecloth. Two of the women work at laptops, others wearing masks. Other women walk by in the background. They are sitting in chairs on grass, with a residential neighborhood behind.
People seek help applying for COVID-19 rent relief checks on March 5 in Jim Gilliam Park.
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Phoenix Tso
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LAist
)

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California tenants behind on their rent have just about a week left to apply for rent relief. After March 31, the state will stop taking new applications.

About a year into the program, the state has paid nearly $2.5 billion to cover the debts of low-income tenants hurt by the pandemic. But with California now winding down its rent relief program, most applicants still have not received funding.

Tenant advocates have called on Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers to keep the program open until August, along with eviction protections that currently help rent relief applicants avoid being kicked out of their homes over non-payment of rent.

Without an extension, those statewide protections will also expire after March 31, but local eviction protections in L.A. County and the city of L.A. are set to continue.

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Housing Now Executive Director Francisco Dueñas said the extensions are needed because the state’s economy may be getting back to normal — but not for everyone.

“There are still many community members that are not fully recovered, are not back at work full-time, and are still needing this rental assistance,” he said.

Tenant advocates say many renters in need of help still haven’t applied due to digital illiteracy, language barriers and a lack of awareness of rent relief programs.

This week, L.A. tenant organizations are holding in-person clinics to help Angelenos submit their applications before it’s too late. Here are the details:

Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE) 

Friday March 25, 2022

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10am – 6pm

152 W. 32nd Street

Los Angeles, CA 90007

Register: 213-745-9961

Central Community Neighborhood Partners 

Saturday March 26, 2022

10am – 2pm

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501 S. Bixel Street

Los Angeles, CA 90017

Register: 323-609-8964

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