Affordable Housing in Long Beach, CA

This page collects the specific programs, agencies, phone numbers, and rules that apply in Long Beach — not generic Section 8 advice. HACLB's voucher waitlist is closed with a 33-month average wait, so the realistic short-term path is the City's Long Beach Renter Aid Program and the Multi-Service Center at 1301 W. 12th St. (the single coordinated-entry door to the Long Beach Continuum of Care). Long Beach renters also have California's strong AB 1482/SB 567 framework PLUS two local layers: the Just Cause Ordinance and the Tenant Assistance Ordinance (relocation pay for no-fault evictions).

Emergency Help Tonight in Long Beach

If you need a safe place to sleep tonight or are facing an imminent eviction, these are the local resources to contact first:

• Long Beach Multi-Service Center (MSC) — the City of Long Beach's coordinated-entry day center and the single front door to the Long Beach Continuum of Care. Housing assistance, case management, health services, IDs and benefits, mail and storage. 1301 W. 12th St., Long Beach, CA 90813. Open weekdays 8 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1–4 p.m. (562) 570-4500 · longbeach.gov/multi-service-center
• Long Beach Rescue Mission — emergency shelter for men (Samaritan House) and for women and children (Lydia House) since 1972. (562) 591-1292 · lbrm.org
• The Salvation Army Long Beach Corps — emergency shelter, social services. (562) 436-2800
• Catholic Charities Long Beach — emergency assistance and case management. (562) 591-6306
• WomenShelter of Long Beach — domestic violence shelter and 24-hour crisis line. (562) 437-4663 · womenshelterlb.org
• Su Casa — Ending Domestic Violence — bilingual DV shelter serving SE LA County. (562) 868-6630
• U.S. VETS Long Beach — veteran-specific transitional and permanent supportive housing. (562) 388-7900
• Bethune Transitional Center / Mercy House — family interim housing
• 211 LA County — free 24/7 information line. Dial 211

For a full walkthrough, see our emergency housing tonight guide.

Section 8 in Long Beach: HACLB Status

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers in Long Beach are administered by the Housing Authority of the City of Long Beach (HACLB) — a separate authority from HACLA and LACDA. Current status (May 2026):

• HACLB HCV (Section 8) waitlist is currently closed with no announced reopening
• Average wait once on the list: approximately 33 months (2.75 years) before receiving a voucher
• Contact: (562) 570-6985 · longbeach.gov/haclb
• Specialty referrals still accepted: HUD-VASH (veterans), Family Unification Program (FUP), Emergency Housing Vouchers (where capacity allows), Mainstream vouchers for non-elderly people with disabilities, Foster Youth to Independence vouchers
• Project-Based Voucher (PBV) waitlists: HACLB administers PBV waitlists tied to specific developments — apply property-by-property. Check the current list at longbeach.gov/haclb/apply
• Public Housing: HACLB does not own significant traditional public-housing stock; the Long Beach portfolio is primarily voucher-based
• Apply to neighboring authorities too: Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), Compton Housing Authority, Norwalk Housing Authority, and the Housing Authority of the County of Orange (which covers nearby Cypress, Stanton, Garden Grove). Each runs separate waitlists

For the national application process, see our step-by-step Section 8 guide.

Emergency Rental Assistance in Long Beach (Named Programs)

• Long Beach Renter Aid Program — the City's primary short-term financial assistance for low-income renters at risk of losing their homes. Administered by the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services. longbeach.gov/homelessness/RenterAid
• Upstream LB — coordinated City initiative to prevent housing instability, stabilize residents in crisis, and create pathways into permanent housing. Routes through the Multi-Service Center
• Multi-Service Center (MSC) — central intake for prevention dollars, rapid rehousing, and supportive housing. (562) 570-4500
• Long Beach Tenant Assistance Ordinance (relocation assistance) — Long Beach's local ordinance requires relocation assistance for no-fault evictions. The City Housing Division enforces. longbeach.gov/lbcd/hn/tenant-landlord-resources
• Catholic Charities Long Beach — emergency financial assistance, food, case management. Spanish-language services. (562) 591-6306
• Salvation Army Long Beach — eviction prevention
• St. Vincent de Paul Society Long Beach — one-time rental and utility help through parish conferences
• LBC Children & Family Services — family rapid rehousing referrals
• SoCalGas LIHEAP / SCE CARE-FERA — utility discount programs that free cash for rent
• 211 LA County — screens and routes to whichever provider has funds open this month

The pandemic LA County and California Rent Relief programs have ended

Long Beach's COVID-era Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), the LA County ERAP, and California's COVID-19 Rent Relief Program (HousingisKey.com) have all closed. The Long Beach Renter Aid Program is the current active path; don't waste time on closed pandemic portals.

Tenant Rights in Long Beach (State Law + Local Layer)

Long Beach renters are covered by California's statewide framework plus two important local protections:

• Just Cause for Termination of Tenancies Ordinance (Long Beach) — Long Beach's local just-cause ordinance prevents arbitrary or discriminatory evictions. Landlords can only terminate tenancies for specific, legally defined reasons. Works in tandem with the statewide AB 1482 and adds notice and relocation requirements for no-fault terminations
• Tenant Assistance Ordinance (Long Beach) — requires landlords to pay relocation assistance to tenants displaced by no-fault evictions, condo conversions, or substantial rehab. Enforced by the City Housing Division
• California Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), amended by SB 567 (effective April 1, 2024) — caps annual rent increases at the lower of 5% + local CPI or 10%; just-cause from day one. Exempted: single-family homes owned by an individual, buildings less than 15 years old, owner-occupied duplexes
• 3-day pay-or-quit notice for nonpayment (CCP § 1161). Paying within those 3 court days defeats the eviction
• Unlawful Detainer process — California eviction trials are typically held 15-30 days after filing in LA County Superior Court (Long Beach branch)
• Security deposit cap (Cal Civ Code § 1950.5) — capped at one month's rent under AB 12 (effective July 1, 2024). Returned within 21 days with itemized statement
• Source-of-income protection (Cal Gov Code § 12955) — California prohibits landlords from refusing Section 8 vouchers. Statewide protection applies in Long Beach
• Right to organize (Civ Code § 1942.5)
• Self-help eviction is illegal (Civ Code § 789.3) — $100/day plus actual damages
• Anti-Price Gouging during emergencies (Penal Code § 396) — caps rent increases at 10% during declared states of emergency
• Fair housing: California Fair Employment and Housing Act protects source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, and more

For free legal help: Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) — Long Beach Office at (562) 901-1900. Public Counsel, Bet Tzedek, and Stay Housed L.A. at (888) 694-0040 also serve Long Beach. For state-level details, see our California housing resources.

Other Housing Programs in Long Beach

• Public housing: HACLB's portfolio is primarily voucher-based; project-based and traditional public housing are limited
• LIHTC (Tax Credit): Long Beach has substantial LIHTC inventory. Search the HUD LIHTC database
• HUD-VASH (veterans): Long Beach veterans referred through the VA Long Beach Healthcare System
• Rapid Rehousing & Permanent Supportive Housing — coordinated through the Long Beach Continuum of Care and the Multi-Service Center
• U.S. VETS Long Beach — veteran transitional and permanent supportive housing
• CalHFA programs — first-time homebuyer · calhfa.ca.gov
• HUD-approved housing counseling: find a counselor through the HUD counselor locator

Next Steps

Not sure which program is right for you? Our Where to Start tool asks a few quick questions and routes you.

The HACLB voucher waitlist is closed and average wait is 33 months — call (562) 570-6985 only to verify your existing position or ask about HUD-VASH/FUP/EHV. For rent help, apply to the Long Beach Renter Aid Program or visit the Multi-Service Center at 1301 W. 12th St. (open weekdays 8–12, 1–4). If you got a 3-day notice, call LAFLA Long Beach at (562) 901-1900 or Stay Housed L.A. at (888) 694-0040 the same day — California source-of-income protection plus Long Beach's Just Cause + Tenant Assistance Ordinances often defeat the case.