Long Beach Rental Aid: Up to $9K for Renters

0:00It's April 24th. This is California News Today, local news powered by AI. Long Beach just launched a rental aid program to keep renters from hitting the streets. If you're facing eviction or financial crunch, you can apply for up to six months of help or $9,000, whichever comes first. It covers background, utilities, moving costs or deposits, and is aimed at folks earning 50% or less of the area's median income. Like, $53,000 for a single person, or $75,000, or $75,000, or $50,000 for a family of four. This is powered by Los Angeles County Measure A, that have sent sales tax hike voters Greenlit in 2024 to fight homelessness. Long Beach snag $2.7 million for their renter aid program, enough to support between 175 and 200. 50 households, they're the first city to roll this out with those funds, and payments could hit as early as May 8th. Residents are breathing easier, especially families hit hard by immigration crackdowns since last May.

1:04Non-profit leaders point out that detained breadwinners leave households scrambling and this aid acts as a real lifeline. Mayor Rex Richardson called it straight up resources to stabilize lives. Applications are open now online or in person at the multi-service center, Monday through Thursday, or the housing authority on Fridays. The first window shuts May 8th, then monthly rounds start June 5th through 12th until money runs dry. They prioritize seniors over 55, those facing quick evictions, or hit by federal cuts and policy shifts. More measure, a program's are dropping soon, like legal help against bad evictions, plus targeted aid for folks 55 and up or young adults. In the 90, 18 to 25, if you're in Long Beach and qualify, jump on it before the funds vanish.