Los Angeles Housing Authority Pauses New Section 8 Applications Amid Funding Uncertainties

The Housing Authority in Los Angeles is not taking new applications for its Section 8 housing voucher program for now. This decision affects around 3,300 families who were hoping to get help with their high rent costs. 

The program usually helps very low-income families, people with disabilities, and elderly citizens by making rent payments directly to landlords on their behalf. 

Check out: How to Convince Your Landlord to Lower Your Rent

Currently, around 13,000 property owners in Los Angeles participate in this program, receiving nearly $800 million in federal funds.

This pause is because the future of federal funding for the program is unclear. The authority is unsure when they'll start accepting applications again. Even a waiting list set up in December 2022, which selects applicants through a lottery, is closed now with no plans to reopen it yet.

The authorities mentioned that this difficult decision was made after considering all possible options. They are committed to continuing support for those already in the program.

An email from a spokesperson highlighted concerns over federal budget uncertainties and the potential expiration of funding on March 14. Without new funding approved by Congress, it looks like there are no other ways to find the money needed for the program.

The impact of not having enough funding could lead to more people facing unstable living situations in Los Angeles, which is already dealing with high housing costs. For example, average rent in the area is reported to be $2,502.

Despite the new applicants' pause, the program continues to support U.S. veterans who are homeless through a specific initiative called Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH).

The Los Angeles Housing Authority is exploring other possibilities to keep helping current participants in the Section 8 program without having to cut off assistance. They emphasized the importance of avoiding ending help for families and property owners already in the program, acknowledging that such a step would be very harmful. 

The agency awaits further details on the federal budget, which will ultimately affect their ability to fund the Section 8 vouchers.

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