COVID-19 Rent Relief Program Commits $1B in Funding

California’s COVID-19 Rent Relief Program recently reached a milestone with more than $1 billion in funding committed. This means the money has either been paid or approved for payment and is awaiting disbursement.

This funding will assist more 74,000 additional households. More than $526 million of the $1 billion in rental and utility assistance was distributed to 44,432 low-income California households that experienced financial hardship due to the pandemic.

The milestone represents a 638 percent increase since June 28, when Newsom signed AB 832, which increased the level of assistance to 100 percent for both back rent and prospective rent. More than 243,000 applications have been received, and more than $2.2 billion in rent and utility assistance was requested, pending eligibility verification.

“In just six months, we have provided essential assistance to more than 44,000 households to keep families safely housed,” said Newsom. “Our program has been so successful that cities like Los Angeles decided to join efforts with the state to have an even greater impact.”