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The Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH) announced that its CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program website is now live to accept applications.

It is estimated that as many as 1.5 million California renters are behind on rent and at risk of eviction because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program will be a lifeline to renters and landlords. It clears accumulated rental debt, keeps the hardest-hit families in their homes, and will lead to a more equitable economic recovery. 

California tenants or landlords can visit the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief webpage through the Housing Is Key website, or they can call toll-free 833-430-2122.

 To assist renters and landlords with the application process, BCSH has also  established a Local Partner Network consisting of community based organizations across the state in the hardest hit areas to provide in-person assistance to individuals who may not know about the program or who may need help filling out their applications. Our goal is to make sure that everyone who needs rent relief gets it.

We are encouraging our CoC and local community partners to join this Local Partner Network and assist with promoting the rent relief program. You can apply to the network by clicking here.

We are also are launching a statewide education and awareness campaign including social media and local public service announcements. Follow the program on Twitter: @CAbcsh, @HousingIsKey, and @CA_HCFC. 

 Please help us push out information about CA COVID-19 Rent Relief. BCSH has created a toolkit you can use for social media messages, reaching out to your clients, and including in your newsletters.  
 
I believe this program to be critical in helping Californians stay in their homes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent many of our most vulnerable neighbors from losing their homes and slipping into homelessness. With CA COVID-19 Rent Relief, more Californians can have confidence that they will get through this pandemic and participate in California's post-pandemic economic recovery.

 Thank you for all the very hard work you do and for supporting this important initiative. 

 In partnership,

Ali Sutton  
(Pronouns: She/Her/Hers)

Deputy Secretary for Homelessness
Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council

Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency