Significant assistance is on the way for renters who have been unable to make their payments since the first shelter order one year ago. After receiving around $16 million in federal rental aid over the past month, Marin is training staff and has launched an online program to make money available as soon as possible. Additional funds for homelessness prevention and rent are expected from the American Rescue Act. Marin will first provide monies to those who make 30 percent or less of the average median income—which for a family of four amounts to $52,200—and then will move into higher income brackets. Planners in charge of distributing the funds emphasized the relevance of the county’s stark racial inequalities: over two-thirds of white residents are homeowners, while three-quarters of African American and Latino residents are renters. “The proposed rental assistance program will protect renters, who are disproportionately people of color, against displacement,” Leelee Thomas, a county planning manager, wrote to the Board of Supervisors. “It is a county priority that these funds are distributed in an equitable manner, ensuring that those most impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic are served with dignity, respect and compassion regardless of their circumstances including but not limited to their race, ethnicity, immigration status, criminal record, disability, gender or sexual identity.” Renters and their landlords in Marin should apply together for assistance to cover payments for the time period between April 1, 2020 and the end of this month. The county will pay up to 80 percent of the rent owed if landlords agree to waive the remaining 20 percent; if a landlord will not agree to those terms, the county can only provide up to 25 percent of the rent needed. The assistance is designated only for situations in which rent, or portions of rent, have not been paid. Supervisor Dennis Rodoni expressed concern when the board accepted the infusion of funds about renters who are struggling but had managed to make payments. Remaining county monies for rental assistance will be prioritized for anyone in need, regardless of whether they made their payments, Ms. Thomas responded. At least 2,000 residents have applied for county assistance but not received any due to funding limitations. All these people, and more, should be covered by the new federal funding, Ms. Thomas said. Anyone interested should visit marincounty.org/depts/cd/divisions/housing/renter-and-landlord-resources/marin-county-emergency-rental-assistance-program. The county will have provided $22 million in rental assistance in response to the pandemic once the most recent batch of federal funds have been distributed. Under state law, renters are protected through June, at which time they must have paid at least 25 percent of their back-rent to prevent eviction.