ByHow to Qualify and Apply for Section 8 Housing In Los Angeles
Known as the city of dreams, Los Angeles is one of the most influential areas all across the United States. It's one of the largest cities in California, and the population sits at over 3.9 million. When you're looking to move to L. A. or searching for a new place to call home in the city, can be beneficial for individuals and families that are considered low-income.
When applying for Section 8, things can get confusing and feel a little overwhelming. You'll need to do more than fill out an application, and in many cases, you'll be placed on a waiting list for an extended period of time.
What Is Section 8 Housing
Are you curious about Section 8? The program is a subsidized tenant assistance initiative backed by the federal government. Section 8 helps tenants pay a portion of their rent and ensures that safe and quality housing is accessible for everyone. Through Section 8 housing, owners of the property will receive a partial direct payment each month for a portion of a tenant's rent. This is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Not all homes are considered low-income housing and are part of the Section 8 housing program, which means you'll want to hold off on signing any lease and moving in until you've verified the property meets the requirements. In Los Angeles, the county manages both single-family residences and high-rise apartments, giving you a variety of options to choose from pending availability. However, if you find a property you'd like to rent, and the landlord agrees to take part in the program, you can work with the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) to gain approval of the property before signing your lease.
Who Is Eligible for Section 8
Eligibility requirements vary slightly by state and sometimes by the city but rely on the same fundamental standards during the approval process. To apply for Section 8 housing, you'll want to make sure you meet the following requirements before spending time on your application.
- At least 18 years old (anyone 18+ in a family must fill out an application).
- Proof of citizenship or eligible immigration status.
- Household gross income must meet the standards currently set by HUD.
- Consent to a criminal background history.
Eligible immigrants will need to provide one of the following:
- Resident Alien Card (I-551)
- Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-151)
- Arrival-Departure Record (I-94)
- Temporary Resident Card (I-688)
- Employment Authorization Card (I-688B)
- USCIS-issued receipt, for issuance of replacement of any of the above documents that will show an individual's entitlement, has been verified
Several factors determine whether or not you are eligible for Section 8 housing.
| Income Eligibility | You are making at or below the posted poverty line in your state. You are considered at the lowest income level if your family brings in only 30 percent or less of the average income in your area. You are still considered very low income if you only bring in 50 percent of that income and low income for 80 percent. |
| Age Eligibility | If you are above a certain age and still not bringing in enough income, you may qualify for Section 8 housing. Depending on a fixed income, those who are 65 and older could find themselves meeting these requirements. |
| Disability Eligibility | If you have been deemed disabled and unable to work, you are eligible for assistance, even as the head of household. |
Applying for Section 8 in Los Angeles
Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) is in charge of handling all things related to Section 8. When you go to apply, you'll want to check and verify that their waiting list is open to new applicants. If it's not, then you'll need to keep an eye on when it does open up. When you submit your application, you'll need to include:
- Name of the head of household
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Current address
- Telephone number
- Sources of all household members' income (including the addresses of all employers)
- Disability status of household members
- Veteran or armed services status of all household members
You'll need to provide the name, DOB, and SS# of all individuals that will be living in the home. This information can be mailed to LACDA at
Los Angeles County Development Authority
P.O. Box 1503
Alhambra, CA 91802
Ready to get your application started but nervous about having everything you need? No worries, we've got you covered. DoNotPay can assist you through every step when it comes to checking your eligibility, updating your paperwork on file, and much more. All you'll need to do is answer a few questions and go through our 2 step process to get started.
How to Apply for Section 8 Housing in Los Angeles With DoNotPay
If you want to apply for Section 8 Housing in Los Angeles but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 2 easy steps:
- Answer a few questions about your income, family size, veteran/disability status, which county you hope to live in, etc.
- DoNotPay will find the PHA in charge of that county and contact them with all of your eligibility information to determine if you can start applying. They'll get back to you directly via email with the next steps.
Other Ways DoNotPay Can Help
Do you still have questions about ? Are you looking for more information on the program and curious about whether or not it's the right option for you?
DoNotPay can help. We've carefully crafted a lengthy list of guides to answer all of the questions you may think of while exploring your options with Section 8. Check out a few of our most helpful guides below.
- Where to go to fill out Section 8
- Section 8 vouchers
- Section 8 rental assistance programs
- Get Section 8 immediately