BURBANK : City to Accept Rent Subsidy Applications

Next week, the Burbank Housing Authority will begin accepting rent subsidy applications for the first time since January, 1990.

“We had a waiting list and it took four years to get through that waiting list,” said Linda Simmons, Burbank’s housing administrator. When the city last accepted applications, 1,100 people applied within two weeks.

“I’m expecting we’ll have a lot of applicants,” Simmons said. The Housing Authority will have 961 openings for rental subsidies when the application process is reopened starting Monday. The application period will remain open indefinitely, she said.

The subsidies are being funded through the federal Housing and Urban Development Department’s Section 8 program. Under the program, tenants pay no more than 30% of their incomes.

To qualify, individual tenants must earn less than $16,900, and households of four must earn less than $24,150.

Simmons said she expects a rush this year “because the economy is worse than it was four years ago and more people are in need of rental assistance.”

Those accepted into the program also receive an allowance for their utility bills.

Applications are available at the Burbank Housing Authority office at Burbank City Hall, 275 E. Olive Ave.