Thursday, January 22, 2026

Deadline Friday for LA County Rent Relief Covering Eaton Fire Past-Due Rent

Landlords and displaced homeowners have until 4:59 p.m. to apply for up to $15,000 in assistance; tenants must complete required profile

Landlords and displaced homeowners have until 4:59 p.m. Friday to apply for Los Angeles County’s Emergency Rent Relief Program, which offers grants covering past-due rent owed by tenants impacted by the January 2025 Eaton Fire.

The program, which opened in December, will distribute more than $23 million in assistance to eligible landlords throughout Los Angeles County, according to a county statement.

Grants may cover up to six months of unpaid rent, with a maximum award of $15,000 per rental unit. The Eaton Fire destroyed more than 9,000 structures in Altadena and surrounding areas, displacing thousands of families who continue to face housing instability nearly a year later.

Tenants cannot apply directly. Landlords must submit applications through the portal at LACountyRentRelief.com. But tenant participation is required: after a landlord applies, tenants are invited to complete a brief tenant profile. The county urges tenants to complete this step immediately—without it, eligible landlord applications will not be considered for assistance.

The tenant profile includes only a few questions and does not request immigration status or documentation, according to the county. Information tenants provide is not shared with the landlord.

The program is administered by the LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs in partnership with The Center by Lendistry.

“When families are pushed into debt by unexpected disasters and financial hardships, the risk of losing their housing becomes very real,” Rafael Carbajal, director of the LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, said in a statement when the program launched. “This program gives residents a fighting chance to stay in their homes and regain their stability.”

Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, president and CEO of The Center by Lendistry, said the program aims to support both landlords and tenants navigating recovery.

“This program offers meaningful help to people who have been working hard to stay housed through an incredibly challenging year,” Thrash-Ntuk said in a statement. “Our partnership with the County reflects our shared commitment to supporting households across Los Angeles and directing relief to people facing real financial strain.”

The program prioritizes small landlords with four or fewer rental units and properties located in high-need areas identified through LA County’s Equity Explorer tool.

In addition to wildfire-related hardships, the program also covers rent debt caused by emergency-related financial hardships associated with federal actions, according to county materials.

Free technical assistance is available by phone at (877) 849-0770. Through Friday, help is available from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. PT. Starting Monday, January 26, hours return to 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Details about webinars and in-person assistance are available at LACountyRentRelief.com.

Since 1975, the LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs has served as the local consumer protection agency for the county, according to agency materials.

“This is about preventing homelessness, protecting vulnerable communities, and ensuring that no household falls through the cracks as they recover,” Carbajal said.