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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The city of Los Angeles Tuesday reminded eligible small landlords to apply for its latest rental assistance program funded by Measure ULA funds, also known as the "mansion tax."
The city's United to House Los Angeles Emergency Renters Assistance Program is offering up to six months of assistance toward back rent to low- income renters at risk of homelessness due to COVID-19 or other financial hardships. The program has total funding of $18.4 million available.
"We must continue to do all that we can to prevent Angelenos from falling into homelessness and that includes supporting small landlords and housing providers," Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement. "I want to thank the City Council for their work in approving the Measure ULA expenditure plan to provide much needed rental relief to Angelenos living in our city and know that we will continue to do all we can to ensure that a wave of evictions does not hit our city as we continue confronting the homelessness crisis."
The application portal for the program opened Monday and will remain available through Oct. 31 until 6 p.m.
"I encourage small landlords who own 12 units or less to apply," said Ann Sewill, general manager of the Los Angeles Housing Department. "The program will pay landlords up to six months of rental arrears on behalf of low- income tenants who are at risk of homelessness due to unpaid rent."
The program was approved by the City Council and signed by Bass earlier this year as part of continued efforts to reduce the amount of evictions in Los Angeles.
Landlords can apply online at any time during the application period at housing.lacity.org, or by phone at 888-379-3150, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In August, the council approved a $150 million Measure ULA expenditure plan, which includes the following:
-- $18.4 million for a short-term emergency assistance program;
-- $23 million for an eviction defense and prevention program, aimed at expanding Stay Housed LA program, a partnership with the county, legal service provider and community organizations;
-- $5.5 million for tenant outreach and education;
-- $11.2 million for the Protections from Tenant Harassment Program, which educates tenants and landlords about their housing rights and obligations;
-- $23 million to provide rental subsidies and move-in assistance to low-income seniors and people with disabilities; and
-- $56.8 million for development of multifamily affordable housing through the city's Accelerator Plus initiative, which is intended to fund "shovel-ready" affordable housing projects with an additional loan of no more than $12 million to close a financing gap.