A $29 million rent relief program is expected to launch in the city of Long Beach in the coming months as residents continue to struggle financially in the midst of the pandemic.
Many Long Beach residents including Long Beach City College student Akira Starks, were fired from their jobs last March and have relied on unemployment checks or other government funded financial relief programs to survive.
Though the intent of the federal aid is to assist with monthly costs, Starks claims that it is not enough to sustain all of her monthly bills.
“I have to pay rent, a car bill, tuition, loans, utilities. It’s very hard to do that with the money I get right now from unemployment. I’m like two months behind on rent and most people in my complex are in the same situation.” Starks said.
The program’s main purpose is to help eligible residents who are suffering from economic hardships due to COVID-19 catch up on rental payments as well as utility bills and other household costs.
Lower income families, or those who make 50% or less of the Long Beach median income, will have priority.
Additionally, there are many qualifications families must meet before receiving any aid.
These qualifications include being a Long Beach resident, annual income cannot exceed U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development established income limits, households must have been economically impacted, are currently renting and are not receiving any other forms of financial assistance.
Still, Starks believes the program has the potential to help thousands of residents.
“Just being able to have my rent covered while I can worry about catching up on car payments and all that would be such a huge help… Imagine how much this can help parents with making sure their kids are fed. This would be a huge help for students too.” Starks said.
Although COVID-19 cases are steadily decreasing around the nation due to public access to vaccinations, the consequences of it will still be prevalent. According to Tyler Curley, the manager of government affairs and head of the CARES Act in Long Beach, rent relief packages will still be needed well into the future.
“There will be a 2 to 5 billion dollar [relief fund] by the end of the month.” Curley claimed.
With stay at home orders slowly being uplifted, Curley adds that, “We could have used it much earlier, but it’s important to be able to have emergency assistance.”
To apply for the LB CARES Program, applications can be picked up at the Long Beach City Hall or email LBCares@longbeach.gov for an online application.