LOS ANGELES – Nearly 2,000 landlords collected more than $81 million from the county over the past six months through a rent relief program that concluded this week.
The program paid landlords up to $30,000 per rental unit for unpaid rent stretching back to April 2022. Some property owners received checks covering more than two years of missed payments from tenants who fell behind during the pandemic.
County officials prioritized small landlords owning four properties or fewer and those with tenants in high-need areas identified by the L.A. County Equity Explorer Tool.
The L.A. County Rent Relief Program operated for less than six months, opening Dec. 12 and closing June 4 after processing 1,824 applications. The Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs announced the program’s conclusion this week.
“The Rent Relief Program played a vital role in Los Angeles County’s pandemic recovery, helping small property owners while allowing tenants to remain housed,” said department director Rafael Carbajal.
The money came from federal pandemic relief funds that counties received years ago but were still working to distribute. Many landlords applied for rent covering tenants who had since moved out or been evicted.
The Center by Lendistry processed applications for the county, screening landlords and cutting checks within weeks of approval. The nonprofit had previously administered similar programs during the height of the pandemic.
“We are proud of the outcomes this program achieved, especially for the landlords and tenants most at risk,” said Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, president and C.E.O. of The Center by Lendistry. “Behind every grant was a family trying to stay housed, a small property owner trying to keep their building afloat, and a community working to recover.”
The county has produced a video series featuring landlords and tenants who received assistance, with some describing how the payments prevented evictions or property foreclosures.
Applications opened in two rounds, with demand far exceeding available funds both times. The program covered rent and related expenses that tenants owed from April 2022 through when landlords applied.
“This program is a testament to what we can achieve through targeted public investment and meaningful community partnerships,” Carbajal said.
The program marked one of the final distributions of federal pandemic relief money that Los Angeles County received in 2021 and 2022. Unlike earlier emergency rental assistance that required tenant applications, this program allowed landlords to apply directly for unpaid rent.
The department continues operating other housing and tenant protection programs. More information is available at dcba.lacounty.gov or by calling (800) 593-8222.
