Orange County’s Emergency Rental Assistance program extends safety net for tenants financially hit by Covid-19

Orange County’s Emergency Rental Assistance program, which morphed from the Eviction Diversion Program at the end of February, will disburse $33.4 million in federal funds to help eligible tenants stay in their homes during the pandemic.

Funds from the income-based program are paid directly to landlords for renters who can document that their shortfall is related to Covid-19. Individuals who are even a month behind in rent may qualify.

Payments would cover past-due rent from April 1, 2020 to the present, for up to 12 months. However, payments are capped at $10,000, and these payments can’t be combined with other sources of rental assistance.

For more information on eligibility and required documents or to apply, visit www.ocfl.net/RentalAssistance