Homeowners in Los Angeles displaced by the January fires may qualify for up to $15,000 in relief through a new county initiative.
The LA County Emergency Rent Relief Program portal opened applications on Thursday. In all, the program will mete out $23 million in financial assistance to landlords and homeowners affected by the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire and other emergency-related financial hardships.
The funding aims to assist displaced residents who have lost their homes and are now paying rent elsewhere, while still incurring the costs of their mortgage and other expenses. Landlords whose tenants were unable to pay because of similar hardships or whose units were vacant because of fire damage can also qualify.
Anyone can apply for the funding, but priority is going to small landlords who own four or fewer units, applicants in high-need areas and households with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income.
The new program rollout comes as many residents are battling to keep their mortgage payments on pause. If those pauses aren't extended, displaced homeowners could soon be responsible for paying their mortgage even if their property is still vacant.
Those who qualify for the grants can receive up to six months of debt coverage, with a maximum award of $15,000 per renal unit.
The county will accept applications until Jan. 23, but it notes that applying does not guarantee funding.