Ensure you have the following documents ready:

• Financial Hardship Document (this should explain why you fell behind on rent and must have happened within the last 12 months. Please note, the financial hardship should now be resolved and you will need to demonstrate the ability to pay your rent moving forward.)

• Proof of Income (If you are self employed or an independent contractor, we will need 3 months worth of income verification. Otherwise, we will need 1 month worth of income verification)

• Eviction Notices (dated in the last 30 days)

• Form of Identification 

We will review your entire application and match you with one of our funding sources (affordable zero -interest loan or needs-based grant).

Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. We only have one application and then our underwriting team decides who receives a grant and who receives a loan after reviewing the entirety of the application and also depending on our available funding.

If your application is approved to receive financial assistance but it’s not the one you want, you can always decline it.

We offer rental assistance from $500 to $4,000.

If rent balance exceeds the $4,000, you will be responsible for covering the difference (prior to the funds being issued) or negotiating a payment plan with your landlord for the balance. We do not issue rental assistance if we believe the landlord intends to proceed with eviction.

Repayment start 60 days after the loan is approved.

There are no repayment obligations for grant.

You can repay your loan by cash, debit card, or through your bank account.

Yes. Our mission is to assist the most vulnerable residents and help keep people in their homes. In order to be eligible, you must be considered low-income (below 50% adjusted median income for Los Angeles County), and be at risk of losing your housing in the next 30 days due to a recent financial hardship. We also evaluate your current and future income to ensure that rental assistance is the right solution for you and to verify your ability to make future rent payments.

We have a limited amount of funds available, so you are not guaranteed rental assistance.

Our goal is to provide rental assistance to people who are at risk of losing their housing, regardless of immigration status.

The process is designed to be easy and flexible to meet your needs. The first step is to apply here to find out if you are eligible. Once the application and supporting documentation are submitted, you will be asked to complete a 20 minute verification interview with a friendly staff member. Our team will be available via email or phone to answer any questions throughout the process. Due to limited funding completing the application process does not guarantee you will be given rental assistance.Our goal is to help you stay in your home.

Rental assistance applicatios are approved within a matter of days. The length of time it takes is mainly dependent on how quickly you submit your documents.

We only give rental assistance to keep people in their housing, so this includes:

• Past due rent

• Utilities

If we are unable to offer you rental assistance, this is no fault of your own. We have limited funds and are unable to serve everyone. To be fair to all applicants, we select eligible applicants for a loan through a randomized lottery. Every applicant has the same chance of being chosen.

There are a number of other local resources where you may be able to receive help. We’ve included some options for you to consider below:

• LA City Housing - Los Angeles Housing Department

• The Housing Rights Center, outreach@housingrightscenter.org can help you with CA Rent Relief options

• HOPICS - Outreach program that provides a drop-in center with benefits assistance, flex funds, and rental assistance help and resources

• Step Up - Housing services, rental/deposit assistance, mental health services

• St. Margaret's Center - Emergency services including short-term hotel vouchers, shelter, rent assistance) and up to $100 for gas bills.

• FreeFrom - Cash assistance program, financial management, and lending circles

• Chrysalis - Employment agency for low-income individuals

If you have any questions about the process please contact us at stepfund@betterangels.la