California is demanding that thousands of tenants and landlords who were approved for emergency rental assistance during the pandemic return the money — often months after it has been spent — sometimes for vague or unspecified reasons.
The California Department of Housing and Community Development has sent “recapture” emails to about 5,400 tenants and landlords who received COVID-19 rent relief funds, the agency told The Sacramento Bee.
HCD gives aid recipients 30 to 90 days to send the money back, said Nur Kausar, HCD communications manager. The agency claims overpayment, tenants withholding funds from landlords and fraudulent activity are among the reasons they ask landlords and tenants to return their aid, Kausar said.
