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Contra Costa County tenants and landlords who have been adversely affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic can apply for assistance from the COVID-19 Rent Relief program, which contains more than $75 million in federal funding.
Created to assist income-qualified renters impacted by COVID-19 who need help to pay for rent or utilities, the program is available to eligible households that do not exceed 80% of the local median income.
“This funding for COVID-19 relief cannot come any sooner to help provide the hardest hit individuals and families in Contra Costa with financial assistance with rent and utilities payments and help them gain back financial and housing stability,” Contra Costa County Board Chair Diane Burgis said. “My colleagues on the Board and I remain committed to helping residents get back on their feet, especially now that we have safe, effective vaccines that will help end this pandemic.”
County officials say eligible renters whose landlords do not participate in the program can still receive 25% of unpaid rent accrued between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021. Interested renters can also receive future rent assistance equal to 25% of their monthly rent through the program.
For eligible landlords, the program also provides up to 80% rent reimbursement to landlords for unpaid rent accrued between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021.
“I am appreciative of the partnership with local governments like Contra Costa for their vote of confidence in our rent relief program,” said Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency secretary Lourdes Castro Ramirez. “We have been closely working together to ensure we provide rent relief and support to those communities hardest hit by the pandemic.”
The $75 million figure represents Contra Costa County’s allocation of federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which allocated $2.6 billion to Californians in need of rental relief.
Contra Costa County residents can check their availability and apply online for COVID-19 Rent Relief and in Spanish Ayuda con la Renta.
Residents can also call the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Call Center at 1-833-430-2122 for additional information.
