In just six months, we have provided essential assistance to more than 44,000 households to keep families safely housed, said Governor Newsom. California officials have been working since March to distribute funds to landlords whose tenants fell behind on rent during the pandemic, and in June authorities promised that the state would. And the state is still not allowed to deny any pending applications. The Act extends eviction protections to COVID-19 impacted tenants and establishes the states Emergency Rental Assistance Program. . More than 243,000 applications have been received, and more than $2.2 billion in rent and utility assistance is currently requested and is pending eligibility verification and fraud prevention screening. The state is in charge of administering about half of that, while 25 cities and counties are administering the rest. , You can get a one-time payment to help you:. In addition to providing 100 percent of back rent and prospective rent, AB 832 also gave California the strongest eviction protections in the nation. Howard emphasized that the state agency does accept rental assistance applications from units that are sort of nontraditional housing, whether it's a converted garage, or some kind of housing in the back, an RV or whatever it is.. Renter Protections. What if I don't have a traditional lease agreement? There are resources for you if your housing situation has been impacted by COVID-19. SB 91 and the State Rental Assistance Program Overview Presentation, Conforming Local Rental Assistance Program, California Emergency Rental Assistance Program Expression of Intent. But the state's COVID Rent Relief program has afforded its own kind of eviction protections starting Oct. 1, 2021. Landlords can choose to accept 80 percent of any unpaid rent owed from April 1, 2020, through March 31, 2021. Several cities and counties across the state had their own rent-related eviction moratoriums that stayed in place after the state moratorium expired. But, the judge did NOT stop the State of California from continuing to process applications, approve applications, or issue payments to approved applicants. If you're eligible, you may get financial help to cover unpaid: Rent payments that came due between April 2020 and March 2022 (limited to 18 months total) I have applied for rent relief. Unemployment insurance, paid family leave, disability insurance, statewide moratorium on evictions, mortgage relief, and forbearance. You qualify for rent relief if you have been financially affected by the pandemic and you earn less than 80% of your areas median income. That is against the law. Have missed 2 or more mortgage payments before June 30, 2022, and, Have missed one or more property tax payments before May 31, 2022, and, Your mortgage servicer (check your monthly mortgage statement for your servicers name). Find an approved housing counselor or call 1-800-569-4287. COVID-19 eviction protections for unpaid rent Some tenants are protected from eviction for COVID-19 rental debt COVID-19 rental debt is rent and other payments required under the rental agreement, like utilities or parking fees, that came due between March 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021. The studys authors said they stood behind their analysis, which shows that $900 million has been paid (application complete, paid in the states data), while another $1.15 billion has only been approved (application complete, payment pending). If a landlord accepts this funding, the landlord agrees to forgive the remaining unpaid rent for that covered period. A previous version of this story said that an eviction could proceed if the state did not make a determination on a landlord's rent relief application after 20 days. Search for an apartment and apply directly with the property. Find financial help if you are affected by coronavirus / COVID-19 in California. The extension of state-level eviction protections, which were initially established over a year ago, have provided much needed housing stability for Californians throughout the pandemic. These protections were originally set to expire on February 1, 2021. If you are struggling to pay the rent due to a COVID-related hardship, you can get rent relief that will help you pay your future rent for up to three months. The law protects some tenants from eviction for unpaid rent due from March 1, 2020 to March 31, 2022. The state is no longer accepting applications for COVID-19 rent and utility bill relief. That remains true for renters whose applications have been approved. "We call this 'self-eviction,'" she explains, and says while "many tenants think that a notice is enough to evict them, in California a landlord needs to get a court order to remove you from your home." Landlords with four properties or less can also request forbearance. Heimerich of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency says its very rare for people to get denied for rent relief, happening in less than 1% of cases. Find out about legal and housing resources. To learn more about how we use your information, please read our privacy policy. But evictions in San Francisco can move forward for nonpayment of rent, for health or safety issues, or if the owner decides to remove the property from the rental market. And to avoid being evicted, renters who have been financially affected by COVID-19 must pay a portion of their back rent, and can apply for rent relief through state or local programs. Of the 180,000 households whose applications were approved, just more than 75,000 households were paid. The wait times have been getting shorter, however: Households who applied for aid last March waited about six months to get paid, while those who applied in October faced a wait time of just less than four months. Howard recommends finding a local legal aid group that can help you advocate for yourself. Yes, you can still apply for rent relief even if you have only an informal or oral agreement, according to Howard. Public Counsel, Western Center on Law & Poverty, LAFLA, and Covington & Burling represent the plaintiffs. Tenants still owe COVID-19 rental debt. Under California law, any "unpaid rent or other unpaid financial obligation of a tenant" that came due between March 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021, may qualify as COVID-19 rental debt and be subject to certain protections, DFPI Commissioner Manuel P. Alvarez noted in a message to debt collectors. Sign up for our daily newsletter. did this information help you with your case? Limiting public disclosure of eviction cases involving nonpayment of rent between March 4, 2020 and June 30, 2021. The analysis is based on data from the state's Housing and . So until a court has issued an order telling you to move? The lawsuit said the program operates in an unclear and discriminatory way, and doesnt provide adequate explanation to renters who are denied help. Check the status of your submitted application HERE. Check the status of your submitted application HERE. Rent relief is taking a long time to be distributed, because California is far behind in its efforts to help people with COVID-19-related hardships pay their back rent. They dont have their money.. My rent relief application has been approved, but I haven't gotten notice that it's been paid. Approved: Payment Pending . Learn about the small claims process for COVID-19 rental debt. You do not need to provide personal information to do this. Heimerich said then that the agency understood that between 800,000 and 1.5 million households in the state were financially burdened by the coronavirus pandemic, and had lost income because their hours were reduced or they got sick, were laid off or had extra care responsibilities. But the deadline to apply March 31, 2022 is fast approaching. The recent law, AB 832, said property owners would receive 100% of the back rent. Your legal status will not be disclosed to any other government agency. It doesnt matter if you have a piece of paper that says youre approved, you need the money, said Madeline Howard, a senior staff attorney at the Western Center and co-author of the report. It is updated weekly as new payments are made to assist households. Third, dont move out, says Lpez. CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program for Local Governments, Tribes, and Utilities ERAP is for local governments within California seeking Emergency Rental Assistance Funds under California Senate Bill (SB) 91 from California's State Rental Assistance Program and/or a block grant. Four percent were denied, and more than half of applicants are still awaiting a response, according to the study, produced by the National Equity Atlas, Housing Now and the Western Center on Law & Poverty using state data. The number of people paid, according to the study, is significantly lower than what is shown on the states public dashboard 191,000 households served and $2.2 billion paid. Alandlord can sue their tenant for COVID-19 rental debt in small claims or civil court. No, you do not need to be a citizen to qualify. The law protects tenants from eviction for not paying COVID-19 rental debt due between: The COVID-19 pandemic brought so much pain and economic disruption, particularly to low-wage workers and low-income renter households, said Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH) Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramrez. Your actions save lives . If youve had a COVID-19 hardship and you earn less than 80% of your countys area median income, you can also apply to have your utilities paid for. To get started, complete the application questionnaire. read our guide for what you can now do before June 30. Can I still get evicted while Im waiting? SACRAMENTO Governor Gavin Newsom today signed legislation to extend the states eviction moratorium through September 30, 2021 and clear rent debt for low-income Californians that have suffered economic hardship due to the pandemic. This is why it's really important to apply for rent relief before the deadline at the end of the month. Keywords: Where's My Application . Emphasis on multilingual, local outreach, fraud prevention, and customer service. Contact the public housing agency in your area to apply. This form is used if a landlord filed the eviction case for past due rent or other rental agreement fees for between either: October 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022(onlyifthe lease started before October 1, 2021). Since the official eviction moratorium expired on Sept. 30, 2021, renters affected by COVID hardship could prevent an eviction from moving forward if they presented their pending relief application as a defense in court. Beginning July 1 though, a landlord can evict a tenant for non-payment of rent even if the tenants rent relief payment is pending. COVID-19 rental debt is rent andother payments required under the rental agreement,like utilities or parking fees, that came due between March 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021. That remains true for renters whose applications have been approved. The full data set was not released to the Western Center through the state Public Records Act until after the center announced its intent to sue the Department of Housing and Community Development, which administers the program with the help of a private contractor. Look for a "Chat Now" button in the right bottom corner of your screen. herculoids gloop and gleep sounds Your landlord is not allowed to harass you. This 18-month total is the combined total of partial and full months of past-due, current, and future months (this includes all ERAP assistance payments). However, they've warned that you might have to be patient, as both the rent relief programs and legal aid groups are handling a lot of demand. As far as concrete steps to take, Lorraine Lpez, senior attorney with the Western Center on Law and Poverty, says that your first, immediate action should be to apply for rental assistance. California received $5.2 billion from the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program in March 2021 to protect tenants whose incomes were 20% or more below average and whose jobs and finances were . Protects low-income tenants from landlords assigning or selling their rental debt to a third-party debt collector. Whats next for tenants, landlords as eviction moratorium ends? California received about $5.2 billion from the federal government to help renters stay housed and keep landlords paid. California's 2022 COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave (SPSL) provides up to 40 hours if you're: Are caring for a family member that tests positive for COVID-19. The new study focuses on the state program, which covers nearly two-thirds of Californians. COVID19.CA.GOV. Landlords may apply for help as well. These groups have been tracking Californias eviction and rent relief efforts from the beginning. But remember: The deadline to apply is March 31. ERA0003 and ERAE0060 awarded to the State of California by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Experts advise that you hang tight and wait for your application to be processed. Lastly, Public Counsel may be able to share your story with elected officials. Of 467,000 complete applications to date, 191,000 payments, or 41%, have been made, she said, and each week more than $80 million is going out to more than 8,000 households. State housing officials reported 27,039 California households received a combined $320.3 million in rental assistance from the state as of Tuesday, Aug. 17 an average of $11,847 per household . Ninety percent of survey respondents reported difficulties accessing the application and 82% reported difficulty getting information about their applications. The state questions the analysis, but according to its figures, only 41% of applicants have been granted financial relief. Launch Service Contact Us General Information: 833-430-2122 Set location to show nearby results Where's My Application? Local cities or counties may have their own protections. If you applied for rent relief by March 31, 2022, we will review your application. Heimerich also said that applications are much less complicated than they once were, and should take applicants from between 30 minutes to an hour. As we continue to recover following the end of the states existing protections, additional protections will be in place through the end of March 2022 for households that are at or below 80 percent of Area Median Income and complete an application for assistance through either the state or locally administered programs. The milestone represents a 638 percent increase since June 28th, when Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 832, which increased the level of assistance to 100 percent for both back rent and prospective rent. You can also reach out to your state representatives to tell them your story and how this program is holding up much needed emergency help for Californians: https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/. 4158654200), We'll only use this mobile number to send this link. If you need legal help, you can find legal resources in your area at LawHelpCA.org. The state is in charge of administering about half of that, while 25 cities and counties are administering the rest. My city or county has its own eviction moratorium. Examples include: Improving your homes weatherization and energy efficiency can help: Find information about LIHEAP services in your area. Apply Now CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Housing Is Key, Orange County housing adds 16 million-dollar ZIPs, loses 13 bargain neighborhoods, State plan calls for 2.5 million new homes by 2030, double previous target, 78% of Southern California neighborhoods dont allow apartments, study finds, Real estate news: 8 Los Alamitos apartments sell for $3.9 million, or $489,375 each, Californians 35% less likely to qualify for starter home than US house hunter, budget bill the Legislature passed in February, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Teacher at Irvines Beckman High School arrested after recording devices found in restroom, Final bones of 50-year-old Laguna Hills mall are coming down, Killer keto? Find out what youre eligible for now, and how to apply. Several statewide and local organizations offer free or low-cost legal help to renters. If the owner has applied for relief and the tenant doesn't fill out their application within 20 days, or if they don't end up qualifying, then the owner can proceed with an eviction. AB 1580 by the Committee on Judiciary Enforcement of money judgments: examination. 610 South Ardmore AvenueLos Angeles, CA 90005Tel: (213) 385-2977Fax: (213) 385-9089, HoursMonday - Friday9:00 A.M. -5:30 P.M.Clients seen by appointment only, 2023 Public Counsel - Website by Lovett Media, NOTICE: California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program, But, the judge did NOT stop the State of California from continuing to process applications, approve applications, or issue payments to approved applicants, The judge ordered the state to stop denying any more rent relief applications. Author: CA COVID-19 RENT RELIEF Subject: Where's My Application? InfoonCalifornia's COVID-19 Rent Relief Program. The system was slow to get up and running. That's because since that date,any landlord wanting to evict a tenant for failing to pay rent as a result of COVID hardship needs to first apply for rental relief before continuing with an eviction lawsuit. Find out what free food or EBT cards to buy food you may be eligible to get. Contact the public housing agency in your area to apply. AB 832 also allows tenants to access rental funds directly if their landlord chooses not to participate and ensures landlords can receive compensation even if their otherwise income-qualified tenants have already vacated a unit. The dashboard allows people to see the states overall rent relief numbers, drill down to see the numbers for individual jurisdictions participating in the state program, and the income, ethnicity, age, race and other demographic characteristics of tenants who have applied. This means that if you're a tenant who applied for the program to receive help with your back rent either in partnership with your landlord, or by yourself the fact that you've applied will technically continue to protect you against eviction through June 30. A landlord cannot evict a tenant for non-payment of rent for the months in which rental assistance was provided. Youre not alone. Provides extended consumer protections for requests of mortgage forbearance for homeowners impacted by COVID-19 until September 1, 2021. Check your status here. Of more than 488,000 households that applied for assistance since the program launched in March 2021, about 180,000 were approved. You can also call 866-675-6623. The COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act - SB91 (Act) was signed into law January 29, 2021. Can I still apply? The state, however, has been slow to distribute rent relief. Read more about what you can do if you're waiting for COVID rent relief. 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