Coronavirus: Los Angeles approves $ 1,000 monthly rent assistance

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Drew Angerer / Getty Images

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved Tuesday. a measure that provides $ 1,000 a month for three months to tenants of homes most affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The proposal to create the Emergency Rental Assistance Program for the entire county, presented by supervisors Janice Hahn and Hilda Solís, was approved unanimously and the money received will not have to be reimbursed by the beneficiaries.

"Housing stability is crucial for residents both during and after the COVID-19 crisis," Supervisor Solís said today in announcing approval of the program.

The initiative "can provide much-needed support to pay for strained households that are having little or no income as a result of the pandemic," added the Latino supervisor.

However, the number of families benefited by the program will depend on the resources obtained during the second round that the county expects to receive under the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Security Act (CARES Act) and additional funds from private donations and philanthropic entities.

The new aid complements the freezing of rental value and the suspension of evictions, measures previously approved by the Board of Supervisors to protect tenants who are unable to pay the value of the lease because they lost their income due to the crisis sanitary.

"Leasing assistance will help keep people in their homes and somewhat alleviate the long-term economic damage this pandemic will cause to families," Supervisor Hahn said today.