Long Beach is once more accepting applications for rental relief program

Long Beach renters who have struggled financially because of the coronavirus pandemic have another opportunity for relief from the city.

The city has reopened its emergency rental assistance program, which covers unpaid rent and utilities for qualified residents dating back to April 2020, officials announced Friday, Aug. 13.

The city is able to accept more applications because of another $13.1 million Long Beach has received in state and federal funding, which has brought the total program budget up to $64 million.

With this new funding, we strongly encourage all those who may be eligible for assistance to apply for this program,” Mayor Robert Garcia said in a statement. “We know that many of our residents who have been financially impacted by the pandemic still need help. It’s very important that we get folks the rental support they need.”

The application period has already been extended twice, and officials said Friday that they now plan on accepting applications until all of the program funds are exhausted.

The program allows both landlords and tenants to apply to be reimbursed for missed rent or utility payments or to pay for future rent, so long as all three of these conditions apply:

• The tenant’s household income is 80% of the area median income or lower.

• At least one person in the unit has experienced a financial hardship due to the pandemic.

• At least one person in the unit can demonstrate a risk of losing their housing.

The most recent data from the city shows that 80% of area median income for a two-person household is $75,700, while it’s $94,600 for a four-person household.

For more information or to apply, visit longbeach.gov/lbds/hn/emergency-rental-assistance-program.