City begins rental assistance program to cut down on evictions

As part of a series of initiatives aimed at curbing homelessness, Long Beach has launched a new rental assistance program designed to help low income residents facing eviction, city officials said Thursday.

The new $2.7 million Long Beach Renter Aid Program, along with the older Right to Counsel program the city runs with Los Angeles County, will help up to 1,000 low-income households facing eviction, according to Department Health and Human Services officials.

The program will offer residents temporary financial assistance to help pay for overdue rent, past-due utility costs and relocation expenses, officials said. Between $250,000 and $500,000 will be set aside for settlement assistance, and another $500,000 will assist households impacted by shifting federal policies and immigration enforcement actions.

Renter Aid Program payments will go directly to landlords or service providers, according to the city. Those participating will also get connected to support services and basic needs resources in an effort to stabilize their housing situation long-term, officials added.

“Stable housing is the foundation for health and well-being,” Alison King, director of Health and Human Services, said Thursday. “These programs ensure that when residents are facing unexpected challenges, they have the support they need to remain in their homes, especially as homelessness continues to be a critical public health concern.”

The most recent Point in Time Count (2025) available shows 3,595 homeless people in Long Beach — far higher than the pre-COVID-19 pandemic level of 2,034 homeless people in 2020, city data shows.

Officials said those wanting to participate in the Renter Aid Program need to meet all three of the following criteria:

• Live in rental housing in Long Beach;
• Have a household income at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI);
• Have experienced an emergency or unexpected event within the past 12 months that places them at risk of losing housing, which cannot be resolved without getting additional money.

In addition, applicants who meet at least one of the following criteria will get priority:

• The household includes adults 55 and older;
• Are at immediate or imminent risk of eviction or homelessness (e.g., having received an eviction notice, three-day notice or pay-or-quit notice);
• Are currently experiencing a housing emergency due to loss of federal benefits, loss of a federal housing program, federal policy changes or immigration enforcement actions.

Eligible people can apply online or in person at the city's Multi-Service Center (1301 W. 12th St.). Applications are available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog. Visit longbeach.gov/renteraid for application details and locations. 

The first application window closes May 8, city officials said. Then, starting in June, the city will accept applications from the 5th through the 12th of each month or until funds are fully distributed. Given that funds are limited, officials encourage applying as early as possible.

Applicants should receive a response within five business days after the application period closes, according to city health officials. The city will then contact applicants to complete verification and a full assessment. Residents should expect approved payments within 30 days of verification, with expedited assistance available in urgent cases, officials aid.

Over the next few months, the city will roll out two additional programs designed to help residents stabilize their housing, city officials said.

The first, an Older Adult Shallow Subsidy, starts in May and will provide older adults on fixed incomes ongoing rental assistance while they are trying to secure permanent housing resources like Housing Choice Vouchers. That $1.8 million program is expected to help about 150 households, according to the city.

The second program, which launches in July, is called the Youth Homeless Prevention Unit. This will help residents aged 18-25 who are at a high risk of becoming homeless, officials said. This $750,000 program should help about 50 young people, officials added.

“When families are struggling to afford rent, one unexpected expense can quickly spiral into a housing crisis,” Mayor Rex Richardson said Thursday. “Help is on the way, by delivering relief to more than a thousand households, including seniors, youth, and diverse immigrant communities facing the greatest risk of displacement.”