While applications for the city of Los Angeles’ latest rental housing assistance program close Monday, help is still available if you go in person to apply for it
While applications for the City of Los Angeles’ latest rental housing assistance program will close on Monday, October 2, the Community Investment Department for Families (CIFD) announced on Friday, September 29 that Angelenos can still get help in person to apply.
CIFD administers a network of 15 centers, FamilySource Centers, that provide step-by-step in-person guidance to help tenants apply for the United to House Los Angeles Emergency Tenant Assistance Program.
The program provides financial assistance for payment of back rent to low-income tenants at risk of homelessness due to COVID-19 or other financial hardship and has a total funding of $18.4 million available.
The program, funded with Measure ULA funds, also known as the “mansion tax,” offers up to six months of assistance.
Tenants can apply online anytime during the application period that expires next Monday at 6:00 p.m. at housing.lacity.org or by phone at 888-379-3150, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“Our FamilySource system is helping to ensure that more communities can take full advantage of this opportunity and that families are not deterred by barriers of technology or access,” said Abigail Marquez, general manager of CIFD, in a statement.
“We applaud the mayor, the City Council and the Los Angeles Housing Department for their critical support of Angelenos experiencing financial hardship, and we are proud to partner in those efforts,” Marquez added.
The program will pay landlords up to 6 months of unpaid rent on behalf of tenants who have experienced financial hardship.
“FamilySource Centers are an excellent resource for Angelenos to take advantage of information about the short-term rental assistance program,” Ann Sewill, general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Housing, said in a statement. “We are grateful for the services they provide to Angelenos. and appreciate their coordination to assist applicants in person.”
Tenant protections for back rent accrued during the pandemic between March 2020 and September 2021 ended Aug. 1, and many Angelenos may face eviction as they work to pay the missing rent.
For rent accrued from October 2021 through Jan. 31, tenants have until February 2024 to pay.
The City of Los Angeles Housing Department will launch an online portal to provide financial assistance to family landlords on Oct. 23. Small landlords who own 12 units or fewer will be able to submit an application to the city.