Gov. Edwards announces program to help renters, landlords affected by pandemic (Source: WAVE 3 News) By Rachael Thomas | March 5, 2021 at 9:57 AM CST - Updated March 5 at 10:10 AM BATON ROUGE, La. (KSLA) - Information provided by the Officer of Governor John Bel Edwards: Today (Friday, March 5), Gov. John Bel Edwards announced the launch of a new program that will provide financial assistance to Louisiana renters and landlords experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is funded through the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133). This relief package includes $25 billion for emergency rental assistance, of which $161 million has been allocated to the state to provide assistance in 57 Louisiana parishes.