What You Need to Know About Section 8 Housing in Long Beach
In order to qualify for Section 8 housing in Long Beach, CA, you’ll need to be considered a very low-income household.
Written by Andrew Biro
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Households that make less than 50% of the median annual income in Long Beach,
California
, are eligible for Section 8 housing assistance, a federal program which guarantees you’ll pay no more than 40% of your monthly rent on housing. Created in the 1970s by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Section 8 housing voucher program helps low-income families, disabled individuals, and elderly people access affordable housing.
That said, navigating the ins and outs of Section 8 housing can be a frustrating, time-consuming process. Between long wait times, excessive paperwork, and extremely overburdened systems, getting qualified for Section 8 may seem like a daunting task.
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What is Section 8 housing?
A federal affordable housing program, Section 8 permits very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to have a percentage of their monthly rent paid for by the government. The 1974 Housing and Community Development Act created the housing voucher program. Here’s how Section 8 works:
- To qualify for rental assistance, eligible tenants must apply to the local housing authority for housing choice vouchers or project-based vouchers.
- Housing choice vouchers give residents the option of living in any apartment that meets the voucher's requirements.
- Project-based vouchers are tied to specific properties and permit landlords to set certain units as low-income apartments.
- Based on family size and composition, the local housing authority provides vouchers for a specific number of bedrooms.
- When a tenant applies for housing using a housing choice voucher, they’ll never be asked to pay more than 40% of their monthly income towards rent—the government will pay the remaining amount.
Section 8 obligations
In accordance with the Section 8 program, the housing authority, landlord, and tenant all have certain obligations. Check the chart below to find out what responsibilities each party has:
Tenant | Landlord | Housing authority |
|---|---|---|
Provide thorough and accurate documentation. | Screen tenants | Determine applicants’ eligibility and issue vouchers |
Locate appropriate housing and submit all necessary documentation before the voucher expires | Comply with fair housing laws | Approve units, rental amounts, and leases |
Pay rent promptly and attend all required appointments | Complete all necessary repairs and maintenance | Inspect subsidized units annually |
Notify the housing authority of any changes in income or family composition | Provide documentation of all notices to tenants, including eviction notices, to the housing authority | Ensure that both tenants and landlords comply with program rules |
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Key Takeaway If you are able to qualify for Section 8 housing, the government will cover at least 60% of your rent. The trade-off is that wait times for Section 8 vouchers are incredibly long.
What are the requirements for Section 8 housing in Long Beach?
In Long Beach, Section 8 is managed by the
Housing Authority of California Long Beach
(HACLB). To qualify for a Section 8 voucher, you must meet the federal standards established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), some of which include:- Must be either a U.S. citizen or documented immigrant
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Cannot be a convicted sex offender
- Household income cannot surpass 50% of your area’s median income
In 2020, the median household income in Long Beach was $66,410, but the exact income limits will depend largely on the size of your family. Federal law also requires HACLB to issue Section 8 vouchers to 75% of its applicants whose income is 30% or less of the median. Check the table below for a more thorough breakdown of Long Beach’s qualifying incomes based on family size:
Family size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
30% of Median- Extremely Low Income | $ 24,850 | $28,400 | $31,950 | $35,450 | $38,300 | $41,150 | $44,000 | $46,800 |
50% of Median- Very Low Income | $41,400 | $47,300 | $53,200 | $59,100 | $63,850 | $68,600 | $73,300 | $78,050 |
80% of Median- Low Income | $66,250 | $75,700 | $85,150 | $94,600 | $102,200 | $109,750 | $117,350 | $124,900 |
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How to apply for Section 8 housing in Long Beach
To apply for Section 8 housing in Long Beach, your very-low-income household will have to register its name on a
waiting list
for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. Once the Housing Authority of California Long Beach reaches your name, they will review your qualifications to ensure they meet the minimum criteria—this includes such elements as criminal history, residency, and income level.Unfortunately, the average wait time for receiving a Section 8 housing voucher in Long Beach is 41 months or almost three and a half years.
How to find Section 8 housing in Long Beach
After being issued your voucher, you will have 90 days to find housing. Sites like
AffordableHousing.com
and RentalHousingDeals.com
are great places to check for listings, but you can also use this map
created by HUD.As you search for housing, make sure to document everything in the process, be it applications you submit, interactions with landlords, or anything else. Doing so can drastically improve your chances of getting a 30-day extension, should you need to apply for one, as it shows the HACLB you’ve been serious about locating housing. If you come across any landlords refusing to rent to you due to having a Section 8 voucher, make sure to report them to your housing authority.
Once you find a privately-owned residence to rent, you’ll need to send the HACLB a copy of your lease and the “request for tenancy approval” documents that came with the voucher.
The HACLB must then inspect the premises to verify that the rent agreement is reasonable and that it meets HUD’s required physical standards. From that point on, HACLB will carry out annual inspections and recertifications to ensure both you and the property continue to comply with Section 8 requirements.
Key Takeaway Qualifying for Section 8 largely depends on your household income, family size, and criminal history. Landlords cannot refuse to rent to you for having a Section 8 voucher, but HACLB will have to inspect the unit before you can move in.
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FAQs
What is the most Section 8 will pay?
On average, a Section 8 voucher in Long Beach will pay ⅔ of your monthly rent—which means that, if your rent is $1,500 a month, Section 8 will cover roughly $1000 and you will be required to make up the other $500. You cannot be required to pay over 40% of your monthly income towards rent, so Section 8 will always pay at least 60% of your rent, though the exact amount will depend on family size, income level, and the fair market rent for your area.
Do I have to accept Section 8 in California?
Yes—if you are a landlord in California, you are legally required to accept Section 8 vouchers and cannot refuse to rent to someone with one. California state law actually protects Section 8 voucher holders from discrimination on the basis of their income.
How much is a 2 bedroom Section 8 voucher in Long Beach?
On average, a 2-bedroom Section 8 voucher in Long Beach will pay between $1020 and $1320 of your monthly rent.
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