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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.
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
10am – 6pm
152 W. 32nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Register: 213-745-9961
Central Community Neighborhood Partners
Saturday March 26, 2022
10am – 2pm
501 S. Bixel Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Register: 323-609-8964
