Long Beach Rental Assistance: City Programs, Tenant Rights, and Free Help

Long Beach rental assistance programs today

Long Beach is its own city with its own health department and housing authority, so much of its rent help is separate from the City of Los Angeles programs you may hear about. During the pandemic, the city ran the Long Beach Emergency Rental Assistance Program (LB-ERAP) with federal money. The city says that program no longer accepts applications, and the federal Emergency Rental Assistance funding period ended on September 30, 2025.

Today, the city's main rent programs are part of Upstream LB, its prevention-focused housing plan, and are funded largely through Los Angeles County Measure A:

• Long Beach Renter Aid Program, short-term help with overdue rent, utilities, and relocation costs.
• Older Adult Shallow Subsidy Program, a small monthly rent subsidy for seniors who pay most of their income in rent.
• Multi-Service Center services for people who are homeless or about to be.
• Housing Choice Vouchers through the Housing Authority of the City of Long Beach, when the waitlist opens.

The city's tenant and landlord resources page lists all of these in one place and is worth bookmarking.

The Renter Aid Program in detail

The city launched Renter Aid in April 2026 with $2.7 million, aiming to help up to 1,000 low-income households avoid eviction and homelessness. Payments go directly to landlords or utility providers, not to tenants.

According to the Renter Aid page, you must meet all three of these:

1. You rent in Long Beach, including people temporarily staying in another housing arrangement.
2. Your household income is at or below 50 percent of area median income.
3. You had an emergency in the past 12 months that puts your housing at risk and that you cannot fix without financial help.

Qualifying emergencies include a landlord action or eviction lawsuit, a loss or delay of income or benefits, a medical emergency, a change in who lives in the home, a natural disaster, or a sudden jump in essential costs. The program can help with overdue rent, utility bills, short-term rental assistance, and relocation costs. The city has not published a maximum amount per household.

Priority generally goes to households that are behind on rent, include an adult 55 or older, have an eviction notice, are at imminent risk of homelessness, or lost federal benefits or housing help. Meeting these is not a promise of help, since funds are limited.

Applications have opened in monthly windows. As of late October 2026, the city's page said the October round had closed, no waitlist was being kept, and no reopening date was set. The city says to watch the Long Beach Health Department's social media for announcements. Questions go to lbrenteraid@longbeach.gov.

Income limits for city rent help

The Renter Aid Program uses the 50 percent area median income limits that took effect May 1, 2026. Count everyone in your household and their gross yearly income.

Limits are updated about once a year. Check the program page before you apply, and do not rule yourself out if you are close to the line.

Rent help for older adults

In July 2026, the city launched the Older Adult Shallow Subsidy Program. It gives about $400 to $500 a month in rent help, up to $12,000 over two years. To qualify, the city says:

• At least one household member is 62 or older, or 55 or older with a disability.
• You live in non-subsidized rental housing in Long Beach.
• Household income is at or below 50 percent of area median income.
• You pay 70 percent or more of your income on rent.
• You can keep up with rent once the subsidy is added.

Applications were taken online and in person until slots fill. Details are at longbeach.gov/olderadultrent, and questions go to ShallowSubsidy@longbeach.gov.

Where to turn while programs are closed

City programs open and close with funding. If the one you need is closed, these options may still help:

• Multi-Service Center. The city's center at 1301 W. 12th St. offers case management and housing help for people who are homeless or at risk. Call (562) 570-4500.
• 211 LA. Dial 211 or visit 211la.org to hear about charity rent help, shelters, and county programs with funds now.
• CalWORKs Homeless Assistance. Families with children who qualify for CalWORKs may get help with a deposit, last month's rent, or back rent to prevent eviction. See the California Department of Social Services.
• Los Angeles County. The county Department of Consumer and Business Affairs runs emergency rent relief rounds at times, including for wildfire-affected households. Call (800) 593-8222 to ask whether Long Beach residents are eligible for any current round.
• Charities. The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and local churches sometimes cover part of a month's rent.

For statewide options, see our guide to the California rent relief program.

Long-term help through the Housing Authority

One-time help fixes a short crisis. If rent is simply too high for your income, a voucher may be the long-term answer. The Housing Authority of the City of Long Beach runs the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, along with veterans' vouchers (VASH), Shelter Plus Care, and project-based voucher apartments.

As of late October 2026, the Housing Authority's site said its waiting list was closed with no openings scheduled. Waitlists reopen rarely and briefly, so check the site often and consider applying to nearby housing authorities too, such as the Los Angeles County Development Authority, when their lists open.

Tenant protections in Long Beach

Long Beach renters are covered by both state law and a city ordinance. Knowing them can help you stay housed while you look for money.

Some housing is exempt from the state rent cap, such as units built within the last 15 years and many single-family homes not owned by a corporation. The California Attorney General explains the details. Lockouts and utility shutoffs to force a tenant out are illegal. Only a court can evict you.

What to do if you get an eviction notice

For unpaid rent, a California landlord must first serve a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit. Saturdays, Sundays, and court holidays do not count in those three days. If you pay the full amount listed within that time, the landlord must accept it.

If the landlord then files an eviction case (called an unlawful detainer), you will be served with a summons. The California Courts self-help site says you must file your response within 10 days, counted in court days. If you do not respond, you can lose the case by default, even if you have a good defense. Act quickly:

• Contact legal aid the day you get court papers.
• Apply for any rent help that is open, and tell your landlord in writing.
• Keep copies of every notice, payment, and message.

Free legal help for Long Beach renters

The city does not give legal advice or mediate disputes, but several groups help Long Beach tenants for free:

• Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, which has a Long Beach office and online intake. Call 800-399-4529.
• Stay Housed LA, a partnership of the City and County of Los Angeles that offers tenant workshops, legal clinics, and free eviction defense for eligible renters. Its site lists 1-888-694-0040.
• Fair Housing Foundation, which counsels Long Beach tenants on rights, repairs, evictions, and discrimination at 562-989-1206.

If you also need help with bills beyond rent, our guide to California assistance programs covers food, cash aid, and utility discounts.

What documents do I need to apply?

Expect to show photo ID, Social Security numbers for the people applying, proof of income for the last 30 days, and proof of where you live, plus any paper that shows the emergency itself. Our document checklist explains what counts for each item and what to do if something is missing. If you don't have everything yet, apply anyway and ask the office how long you have to bring the rest.

Getting rent help, step by step

1. Check the Renter Aid page and the older adult program page for open application windows.
2. Call (562) 570-4500 or 211 if you need help now or both programs are closed.
3. Gather your papers: ID, lease, income proof, and any notice from your landlord.
4. Contact legal aid right away if you receive a 3-day notice or court papers.
5. Apply for long-term help such as Section 8 when a waitlist opens, and CalWORKs if you have children.
6. Keep paying what you can and get receipts, so you have a record if a dispute comes up.

Related guides

• Rental help in California
• California help with rent
• Rent relief
• Fastest way to get Section 8

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Program status, income limits, and rules are set by the City of Long Beach and other agencies and change often. National Relief Program is an independent website and is not affiliated with the City of Long Beach or any government agency.