Statewide Rent Relief Program is Audited and Assembly Member Santiago Responds

(Los Angeles, CA) – Assembly Member Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) released the following statement upon the release of the state auditor’s report detailing that the California Department of Housing and Community (HCD) could lose some of the $1.8 billion allocated to the first round of statewide rent relief as the statewide eviction moratorium is set to expire on September 30.

“This isn’t a nine month mission to Mars, it’s a simple mission: quickly pass along rent relief dollars to those who need it the most,” said Assembly Member Santiago.

“People are struggling to put food on the table let alone pay rent. The last thing they need are bureaucratic inconsistencies or misinterpretations that delay or even prevent all the funds from being distributed. We must move swiftly so the entire $1.8 billion goes to struggling Californians who need assistance immediately. No excuses, the money must go out without delay.”  

California had 9 months to obligate as much of its $1.8 billion as possible for Round 1 rent relief. According to the State Auditor’s report, HCD risks losing any remaining unobligated funds if they are not obligated by September 30.

 Assembly Member Miguel Santiago is the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Communications and Conveyance and Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Los Angeles County Homelessness. He also sits on the Assembly Committees on Public Safety, Health, Higher Education and Utilities and Energy. He represents the 53rd District composed of the cities of Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Vernon.