Renters and landlords have enough to worry about. Past due rent shouldn’t be one of them.
Rent Past Due?
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.
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.
Who Can Apply?
Landlords who have income-eligible renters experiencing a financial hardship due to COVID-19 with past due rent.
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.
Eligible renters can also receive help paying future rent, equal to 25% of their monthly amount to help them stay in their homes, and 100% of up to 12 months of unpaid or future utility bills.
How Do I Apply?
To check eligibility requirements, apply or find a Local Partner Network organization who can assist you further, visit HousingIsKey.com or call
- 1-833-430-2122 for general information about the program.
- 1-833-687-0967 to schedule an appointment for help.
Priority will be given to households at the greatest risk of eviction.
Why the 80/20 Payment for Eligible Households Makes Sense
If you are a landlord who has been receiving 25% or more of your tenant’s monthly rent, up to 75% is still unpaid.
When you and your tenant participate in CA COVID-19 Rent Relief, the state will pay 80% of unpaid rent, and would ask you to forgive the last 20%.
After reimbursement, you will have received at least 85% of total rents owed from the period.
How the 80/20 Payment Structure Works
Example rent: $1,000/month.
Total rent owed: $12,000
Example 1
- Tenant pays $3,000/25%
- State of California Pays 80% Unpaid Rent = $7,200
- Landlord forgives 20% in unpaid rent over the period = $1,800
- Total rent recovered by landlord = $10,200/85%
Example 2
- Tenant pays $6,000/50%
- State of California Pays 80% Unpaid Rent = $4,800
- Landlord forgives 20% in unpaid rent over the period = $1,200
- Total rent recovered by landlord = $10,800/90%
Participating in the COVID-19 Rent Relief effort gets rents paid, saves money on legal fees, and reduces uncertainty.
Learn more at HousingIsKey.com or call 1-833-687-0967 to schedule an appointment for help.
