03/08/2021
Earlier this morning, Governor John Bel Edwards announced the launch of a new program that will help Louisiana renters and landlords experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. This funding allows the State the opportunity to serve more Louisianians and to expand the rental benefit for those in need by paying past due rent back to April 2020 and up to three months of forward rent.
The funding was approved by Congress through the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 in December 2020. The U.S. Treasury provided $308 million in funding to Louisiana to help meet the ongoing needs of renters and landlords impacted by COVID-19.
The Louisiana Housing Corporation, in partnership with the Louisiana Office of Community Development, will administer the U.S. Treasury Emergency Rental State program. In addition, the law allowed local jurisdictions with populations over 200,000 to apply for and receive direct allocations from the U.S. Treasury. In Louisiana, seven parishes—Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans and St. Tammany—did so and will administer their own programs.
To learn more or to apply for the State Program, renters and landlords in the 57 program parishes can visit www.LAStateRent.com. The application is currently live and those interested are encouraged to visit the website and click APPLY NOW to complete an application for the State Program.
COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Now Available. Both landlords and renters may apply. The program can provide assistance for rental arrears and forward rent payments for applicants.
