THE CALIFORNIA COVID-19 RENT RELIEF PROGRAM
If you’re an income eligible renter who has experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19 and have past due rent, or you’re a landlord who has experienced a loss in income because of unpaid rent, you may be eligible to get financial assistance now through the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program.
The program is not first come first served, rather priority will be given to those households with the greatest risk of being evicted.
Who Can Apply?:
- This program applies to residential landlords and renters.
- Landlords who have income-eligible renters experiencing a financial hardship due to COVID-19 with past due rent. Review full eligibility requirements HERE.
- Renters who have experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19, have past due rent or utilities, and have a household income that is not more than 80% of the area median income. Review full eligibility requirements HERE.
How Much Rent Relief Will I Get?:
- Landlords can get reimbursed for 80% of past due rent accrued between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, if they agree to waive the remaining 20% of unpaid rent.
- Eligible renters whose landlords choose not to participate may still apply on their own and receive 25% of unpaid rent accrued between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021 through a direct payment to their landlord. If a landlord refuses direct payment, the 25% can be paid to the renter to pay missed rent to their landlord by June 30, 2021. Paying 25% of past due rent by June 30, 2021 can help keep renters in their homes under the extended eviction protections provided in SB91.
- Eligible renters can also receive future rent assistance equal to 25% of their monthly rent to help them stay in their homes and 100% of up to 12 months of unpaid or future utility bills.
How to Apply?:
Renters and landlords can determine eligibility and apply for funds directly at
HousingIsKey.com or call 833.430.2122.
Applicants will not be asked about their citizenship, nor will they be required to show proof of citizenship. The first flow of applications will focus on households earning less than 50% AMI ($56,450 for a household of 4). It will expand to cover those disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and then to all households earning less than 80% AMI.
Resources
- The program is being administered by the state and a network of local community partners has been established to help answer eligibility questions and submit applications. A list of local community partners, other resources and application information are available at HousingIsKey.com.
- A CA COVID-19 Rent Relief call center is available to get help answering eligibility questions, for application assistance, and to provide information on local assistance: 833.430.2122 between 7 am and 7 pm daily.
- Those who lack access to the internet can call the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Call Center, 833.430.2122 for information on the help center nearest to you to help you access an application.
