SACRAMENTO – (INT) - California’s COVID-19 Rent Relief Program reached a milestone Monday.

More than $1 billion in funding has been obligated – meaning the money has either been paid or approved for payment and awaiting disbursement to assist 74,000 additional households.

More than $526 million of the $1 billion in rental and utility assistance has already been distributed to 44,432 low-income California households who suffered financial hardship because of the pandemic.

The milestone represents a 638 percent increase since June 28th, when Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 832, which increased the level of assistance to 100 percent for both back rent and prospective rent.

More than 243,000 applications have been received, and more than $2.2 billion in rent and utility assistance is currently requested and is pending eligibility verification and fraud prevention screening.

Story Date: September 24, 2021