The California state auditor revealed the state is at risk of losing billions of dollars in emergency rental funding as the deadline to send funds to applicants approaches. “In August 2020, we designated the State’s management of federal COVID-19 funds as high risk after concluding that the likelihood of mismanagement of these funds is great enough to create substantial risk of serious detriment to the State and its residents,” State Auditor Elaine Howle said in a Sept. 16 report. “HCD remains at risk of losing federal funds, and it must employ every effort possible to increase its amount of funds obligated before the federal deadline of Sept. 30, 2021.” The Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) oversees administering $1.8 billion of rental assistance benefits to renters who face eviction. With the deadline approaching, the audit raises concerns about eligible household applicants that will not receive funding. “Because of the …