By Lookout Staff

May 23, 2024 -- Landlords of small buildings could be eligible for up to $30,000 per unit in unpaid rent under a $68 million LA County Rent Relief Program, City officials announced Thursday.

The County this week relaunched the second round of the program, which will accept applications through Tuesday June 4 at 4:59 p.m.

The program -- spearheaded by the LA County Board of Supervisors --- "is an effort to reduce evictions of tenants for non-payment of rent," County officials said.

The funds will be distributed to "qualified landlords adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic" to cover "unpaid rent and eligible expenses dating from April 1, 2022 to the present."

"To qualify, units must still be occupied by impacted tenants," County officials said.

Priority will be given to "affected units located in the high and highest need geographies as defined and identified in the LA County Equity Explorer Tool."

Also given priority are landlords or tenants whose household income is 80 percent or below LA County Area Median Income (AMI) and landlords "who can fully satisfy tenants’ debt for the eligible period upon receipt of rent relief grant."

The program also prioritizes landlords who own no more than four rental units, although those who do not meet all four factors can apply but will be given lower priority, officials said.

Landlords who have already submitted a complete application should not apply again for the same impacted rental unit and tenant.

"If an applicant has already been awarded a grant under this Program, the existing application will be reviewed for additional rental arrears and if eligible, will be notified by the Program," County officials said.

Those interested in applying for the LA County Rent Relief Program can review the full eligibility requirements and access the application directly by visiting the program portal at lacountyrentrelief.com.

Submission of a completed application is not a guarantee of funding.