By Lookout Staff

December 8, 2023 -- In an effort to stem evictions, LA County will pay qualified mom-and pop landlords negatively impacted by the COVID shutdown up to $30,000 in past-due rent per unit for existing tenants, County officials announced Friday.

To qualify for payment under the Rent Relief Program, the landlord's property must be in LA County, except in the City of LA, and the past-due rent and eligible expenses, such as utilities, must date from April 1, 2022 to the present.

Applications for the program must be submitted to the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) between 9:30 a.m. Tuesday and 11:59 Friday, January 12.

“Landlords provide many of the County's housing options, but the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have left plenty in a precarious financial position,” said DCBA Director Rafael Carbajal.

The program "seeks to further invigorate recovery efforts, alleviate economic hardships faced by landlords, and maintain the availability of safe, affordable places to live in Los Angeles County,” Carbajal said.

The program -- spearheaded by the LA County Board of Supervisors and administered by The Center by Lendistry -- will distribute more than $68 million in financial support, County officials said.

"The Program aims to curb tenant evictions and ensure the continued provision of housing," officials said.

Those interested in applying "can review the eligibility requirements, register to receive a link to the application when it opens, and access the application directly when it is available by visiting the portal at lacountyrentrelief.com.

Priority will be given to "properties located in areas of highest need
identified in the LA County Equity Explorer Tool," according to the program's website.

Also given priority are landlords or tenants with household income 80 percent or below the LA County Area Median Income (AMI) and landlords who can fully satisfy tenants’ debt for the eligible period upon receipt of rent relief grant.

Landlords who own no more than four rental units also will be given priority.