Rental Assistance Deadline Nears

As many as 200,000 applications are expected to flood the Los Angeles Housing Authority office after city officials announced they would offer Section 8 rental assistance for the first time in eight years.

Aimed at helping low-income families, senior citizens and the disabled find affordable housing, the program offers rent subsidies by making housing assistance payments directly to private landlords.

Tenants pay 30% of their adjusted gross income for rent and the federally funded Section 8 program pays the balance, said Los Angeles Section 8 Program Director Steve Renahan.

Last year the city distributed about $250 million in Section 8 funding to about 16,000 landlords housing nearly 40,000 families, Renahan said. He added that a shortage of federal funding for the program has precluded acceptance of additional applications for Section 8 funds.

Recent turnovers in the program, however, have created about 2,000 openings for Section 8 assistance, Renahan said. To qualify, applicants must meet age, disability and income requirements.

For instance, a family of four can earn no more than $25,650 annually to qualify.

“But if you think you need help, go ahead and apply,” he said. “The income limits change at least annually.”

Applications will be accepted through Oct. 1. A lottery will then be held to determine placement on the registration list.

Applications are available at 22 sites in the Valley, including Los Angeles Public Library branches and Social Security offices.

For more information on the rental assistance program, call the Section 8 hot line toll-free at (800) 555-4501.