Below you will find a list of affordable housing programs. In order to be placed on waiting lists of the various programs you must call the number listed directly and apply.
1) HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) SECTION 8 PROGRAM
A. CERTIFICATE/VOUCHER PROGRAM:
City of West Hollywood residents contact the Los Angeles County office: (213) 260-3300, to apply. Expect a Five to Seven year wait.
City of Los Angeles residents contact the Los Angeles City office: (213) 234-3125, to apply. (213) 234-6546, if you have already applied. This program is presently closed. The Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Program (HAPP), operated by the County of Los Angeles, makes housing assistance payments on behalf of eligible low-income elderly and non-elderly families, disabled, and handicapped persons. If an applicant qualifies, this program will enable a household to rent privately owned existing housing within Los Angeles County and cooperating cities and not pay more than 30% of their total adjusted gross income for rent.
B. CONVENTIONAL HOUSING
All residents should contact the Los Angeles County office: (213) 260-3300, to apply. Expect a one to three year wait. Conventional Housing, also administered by the County, is an alternative to the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Program (HAPP) in which the housing assistance subsidy applies to a unit within a building owned and managed by the County Housing Authority. The County Housing Authority operates three (3) buildings within West Hollywood; however, the waiting list is for all units, County-wide (i.e., people on this waiting list are not guaranteed a unit in West Hollywood).
REGISTRATION for the above programs is conducted only over the phone. The hours are 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. It requires persistence to get through. The clerk will ask for the social security number, date of birth, and address of each person to live in the apartment. A card will then be sent to confirm that you are on the waiting list. Eventually, an application will be sent with further instructions. All inquiries should be addressed to the appropriate office.
2) HOME SECURE
Home secure is a non-sectarian program of Jewish Family Services of Los Angeles. They provide deadbolts, patio doors, window locks, doorviewers, and other security devices, as well as grab bars for household safety. The program is available to low-income renters, as well as home owners. All ages are eligible and there is NO CHARGE. For information call (213) 937-5855.
3) CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
The City's inclusionary housing program requires that private developers set aside a certain percentage of units in their projects for low and moderate income households. All inclusionary units are owned and managed by the developer or owner of the property. The rental rates are based on the City's median income and are adjusted annually by the City Council. The waiting list is re-opened periodically and advertised in the local newspapers. For more information call (213) 848-6475.
4) WEST HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY HOUSING CORPORATION
The West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation (WHCHC) is a non-profit housing development organization that buys, builds, rehabilitates, and manages housing for lower-income people in the City of West Hollywood. Interested people should call the Corporation at (213) 650-8771 to inquire about waiting list availability.
5) MENORAH HOUSING FOUNDATION
This organization uses loans from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to build and then manage affordable housing buildings (i.e. Section 8 buildings) for the elderly in Los Angeles County. Each location has a separate waiting list and application. Applications may be requested by phone. You will be asked your age, your gross annual household income (i.e. the combined gross income earned by all persons living at the residence), your building preference, and whether you are presently paying over 50% of your income for rent. To request your application call (213) 852-1234 extension 2530.
6) ALTERNATIVE LIVING FOR THE AGING
Alternative Living for the Aging (ALA) is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization that assists older people in housing alternatives. ALA operates CO-OP Houses in which each resident has their own bedroom and bath, most meals are prepared in the House kitchen; and five evenings a week, residents share meals, assist a cook in planning preparation and clean up. ALA also operates a roommate matching program for seniors. For information on either of these programs please call (213) 650-7988.
The Rent Stabilization Department provides information regarding the Rent Stabilization Ordinance for the City of West Hollywood, and other affordable housing opportunities for residents of the City. Persons seeking information regarding eligibility requirements and waiting lists should contact the organization providing the housing directly at the numbers listed above. This fact sheet is one in a series published by the City of West Hollywood's Rent Stabilization Department.
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