O’Farrell Proposes Millions More in Funding for Rental Aid Program
The initiative, originally totaling $3 million, is helping keep people housed in Council District 13
LOS ANGELES – Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell today introduced a motion that would add an additional $2 million to his Council District 13 (CD13) Rental Aid Program. The initiative is designed to help tenants and “mom and pop” landlords in CD13 who are still struggling with missed rental payments due to COVID-19.
“The CD13 Rental Aid Program is off to a strong start, and we want to make sure we help more people. It’s as simple as that,” said Councilmember O’Farrell. “With this additional funding, we will provide financial assistance to hundreds of additional renter households in my district. Our mission to keep people housed continues, and we won’t let up.”
If O’Farrell’s motion is approved by the City Council, it will bring the funding allocation for the CD13 Rental Aid Program from $3 million to a total of $5 million. The initial application period opened on October 24, 2022 and will remain open through this Friday, November 4th. The program provides $5000 grants to eligible CD13 residents. To qualify, a tenant’s household income for 2021 or 2022 must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), and a tenant must owe their landlord unpaid rent on or after April 1, 2022. A family of two with an annual household income of up to $76,250 would qualify. A family of four with a household income of up to $95,300 would also qualify.
O’Farrell is partnering with multiple community organizations who are helping constituents complete their rental aid applications, with emphasis paid to non-English speakers. Partners include the Bresee Foundation, Koreatown Youth + Community Center (KYCC), and Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Social Services. Applications can be submitted online at http://CD13.com/rentalaid or in person at O’Farrell’s Echo Park district office, located at 1722 Sunset Boulevard.
In just the past week, O’Farrell’s office has seen a high level of demand from residents in CD13, triggering the decision to increase the funding allocation. As COVID-19 eviction protections begin to sunset in the coming months, O’Farrell is the only Los Angeles City Councilmember providing rental assistance to his or her constituents.
