Long Beach renters behind on rent or utilities—or facing an eviction notice—now have a new place to turn for help.
The city launched the Long Beach Renter Aid Program this spring, setting aside $2.7 million in short-term financial assistance for up to 1,000 low-income households at risk of losing their homes. The money can cover overdue rent, utility bills, short-term rental assistance, and relocation costs.
Funding comes largely from Los Angeles County Measure A, a countywide fund for renter protections and homelessness prevention. The program is part of “Upstream LB,” the city’s prevention-first strategy aimed at catching housing instability before it leads to displacement or homelessness.
Who gets priority
Not all applicants are treated equally. The program gives priority to older adults, households facing an immediate eviction, and renters whose situations have been disrupted by recent federal policy changes…