Pandemic Rental Assistance?

[Carl W.]

My future tenant signed their lease and paid their security deposit then informed me that I would be receiving the rent from their current landlord because they'd previously qualified for pandemic rental assistance last year. Basically, their rent is paid for the next few months but the tenant does not have the money. The program sends payment directly to the landlord. This was all news to me. I did the background check and also called and spoke to the current landlord beforehand and it had not come up during the screening process. I informed the tenant that they'll get the keys to move in when I receive the rent due by the 1st. My question is does anyone have any knowledge of these assistance payments? The tenant will be sending me the info and the landlord will be getting in touch with me to transfer the funds. Anyone heard of this? I'm trying to figure out how the transfer of funds from this third party to me would work.