Community Development

Check out the City’s Dashboard for information about homelessness emergency services.

The Long Beach Emergency Rental Assistance Program (LB-ERAP) is designed to assist landlords and income-eligible tenants (renters) who have experienced financial loss or hardship due to COVID-19 through rental assistance.

LB-ERAP is part of the Long Beach Recovery Act. The federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 provides the funding to support the program, which is designed to implement the tenant protection laws enacted by the State of California (SB 91). The program is established to provide assistance exclusively to landlords and tenants in Long Beach and is separate from the State’s rental assistance program. Applicants should not apply to the State program if the unit for which they are seeking assistance is located in the City.

LB-ERAP will help income-eligible tenants pay rent and utilities, both for past due bills and future payments. The program will prioritize assisting lower-income tenants who have been unemployed for 90 days or more and who are at risk of housing instability. 

• Landlords who own or manage at least one residential rental unit in the City of Long Beach.
• Tenants (renters) who rent a residential unit or a room in the City of Long Beach.

Which Jurisdiction Do I Apply To? 

1. Determine your eligibility as a landlord or tenant
2. Gather the necessary paperwork or documents needed for your application
3. Visit this website periodically for the latest program information and updates

Am I Eligible?       

If you are a landlord who has one or more eligible tenants, you can apply to get reimbursed for 100% of each eligible tenant’s unpaid rent from April 1, 2020 to present for a total of 18 months. Please note that each tenant must also apply to receive assistance.

Requirements include:

1. All payments must be used to satisfy a tenant’s unpaid rent for the period between April 1, 2020 and present for a total of 18 months. 
2. If you are applying on behalf of your tenant, they must also provide the necessary documentation, and they must sign the application for assistance.
3. Your tenant’s household income must be at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). This program will prioritize assisting tenants with a household income at or below 50% of AMI.
   
   

• Valid government ID with photograph or business license
• Proof of ownership of the property (mortgage statement or tax bill) or documentation you have the authority to act on the owner’s behalf.
• Copies of lease or rental agreements, or other documentation reflecting tenant’s name, residence address, and monthly amount due.
• IRS Form W-9, 1040 NR, or 1040 NR-EZ

Am I Eligible?     

If one or more individuals in your household meet all of the following program criteria, you are eligible to apply:

1. Have a household income at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI). The program will prioritize households with income below 50% of AMI.
   
   

   Household Size	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
   50% AMI Limit	$39,450	$45,050	$50,700	$56,300	$60,850	$65,350	$69,850	$74,350
   80% AMI Limit	$63,100	$72,100	$81,100	$90,100	$97,350	$104,550	$111,750	$118,950

   
   
2. Have qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19. The program will prioritize applicants who have been unemployed for 90 days or more.
3. Demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, which may include:
   
   
   • a past-due utility or rent notice or eviction notice;
   • unsafe or unhealthy living conditions; or,
   • any other evidence of such risk, as determined by the program

Applicants will not be asked about their citizenship, nor will they be required to show proof of citizenship.

The program will pay for 100% of the past due rent from April 1, 2020 to present for a total of 18 months. Tenants who have already applied for assistance with past due utility bills may update their existing applications to receive up to 100% of future rents for up to 3 months.

If you are an eligible tenant but your landlord chooses not to participate in LB-ERAP, and you have already submitted a complete application with a current rent ledger and received your Case Number, LB-ERAP will pay you 100% of the unpaid rent from between April 1, 2020 to present. 

The program will prioritize assisting households with past due rents.

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LB-ERAP is an important community program and the City is fully committed to providing help to as many as possible who are eligible and who have applied for assistance. To aid the public in better understanding how the application, approval and disbursement process is conducted and to regularly gauge its progress, click on the link below to view a “dashboard” report that contains detailed funding figures and other key information:

• LB-ERAP Weekly Report
  

For questions or updates about applications, please visit the application portal or call the LB-ERAP Information & Support Line, hosted by Yardi Systems, the City's program partner, from Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 833.358.5372.