
Rent Voucher Program Legislation Introduced for COVID-19 Impacted Tenants
The California Apartment Association (CAA) introduced a legislative proposal that would help both landlords and renters endure the financial difficulties brought on by COVID-19. The Sacramento-based association sponsored a bill, SB 1410 by Sen. Lena Gonzalez, D-Long Beach, that would set up a system for the state of California to make direct rental payments to help tenants who cannot afford to pay their rent. SB 1410 would cover at least 80% of unpaid rent attributable to the pandemic.
CAA’s Debra Carlton says, “The COVID-19 pandemic has brought frightening and uncertain times, leaving many Californians with health challenges and economic difficulties. Sen. Gonzalez has offered a solution that will help housing providers continue to pay their bills, and their employees, while also making it a little easier for struggling renters to get back on their feet financially when the pandemic ends.”
Eligible renters for the temporary COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program would include those who can demonstrate, as determined by the Department of Housing and Community Development, an inability to pay rent due to COVID-19 or a government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For comments, questions or concerns, please contact Dennis Kaiser