Rent Relief From The Federal Stimulus Bill Is Coming

Ed Namrok Podcast

Who is eligible for the latest stimulus bill’s rental relief funds?

Households that make 80% or less of the median income in their area and include at least one person who qualifies for unemployment or has experienced financial hardship because of the pandemic.

Households must also show they are at risk of homelessness or housing instability to qualify.

The income qualification is determined by household income for all of 2020, or monthly income when your household applies for help.

States and local jurisdictions will distribute the money and must prioritize two types of households: those with incomes at or below 50% of the area median income, and those with one or more person who has been unemployed for at least 90 days.

How do I apply?

This isn’t clear yet. The U.S Treasury Department says you will be able to apply through programs set up by states and some local governments.

Russ Heimerich, a spokesman for the California Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency, said Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration is ironing out details with the Legislature.

“There is a desire to get it distributed just as quickly as possible,” he said.

Officials with the city and county of Los Angeles also didn’t have a timeline for when their programs would be up and running.

Yentel said she expects some jurisdictions to start announcing how to apply by late January or early February.

In a statement, L.A. County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Hilda Solis said the county is working with “stakeholders and other partners to obtain feedback on the program design.”

On Jan. 12, Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez submitted a motion that asks staff for recommendations on how to distribute the new rental relief funds.

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