David Wagner covers housing in Southern California, a place where the lack of affordable housing contributes to homelessness.
Published Jan 30, 2026 3:00 PM
A "for rent" sign hangs outside an apartment building in the city of Los Angeles.
(
David Wagner
/
LAist
)
**Topline: **
Los Angeles County tenants who’ve fallen behind on their rent because of last year’s fires or federal immigration raids can soon apply for a rent relief program that had previously catered only to landlords and homeowners .
**The details: **The $23 million program [closed its first application window](https://laist.com/news/los-angel…
David Wagner covers housing in Southern California, a place where the lack of affordable housing contributes to homelessness.
Published Jan 30, 2026 3:00 PM
A "for rent" sign hangs outside an apartment building in the city of Los Angeles.
(
David Wagner
/
LAist
)
**Topline: **
Los Angeles County tenants who’ve fallen behind on their rent because of last year’s fires or federal immigration raids can soon apply for a rent relief program that had previously catered only to landlords and homeowners .
**The details: **The $23 million program closed its first application window last Friday. Now, county officials say applications will reopen Feb. 9. Tenants will be allowed to directly apply this time, and landlords and homeowners will get another shot too.
**The help available: **The program offers to cover up to six months of missed rent or mortgage payments, with a cap of $15,000 per housing unit. Utilities and other household expenses can be covered as well.
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**Applications so far: **County officials said they received 4,644 applications during the first round. In the next phase, tenants can apply on their own, but they will eventually need their landlords to complete their own paperwork in order to receive funding.
**For more information … go to the county’s rent relief website at lacountyrentrelief.com. **
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