City of Long Beach Launches Renter Aid Program to Prevent Housing Loss

Above: Mayor Rex Richardson joins other City leaders, as well as county and community partners, in the Civic Center Plaza on April 23, 2026, to celebrate the launch of Renter Aid and Upstream LB, the City's upstream effort to prevent housing instability, stabilize residents in crisis, create pathways into permanent housing and reduce homelessness.

Long Beach, CA — On April 23, 2026, the City of Long Beach announced the launch of the Long Beach Renter Aid Program, a new initiative investing $2.7 million in rental assistance, coupled with a previously-rolled out $1.5 million in Right to Counsel eviction defense and education assistance, to help up to 1,000 low-income households avoid eviction and homelessness. The program is part of Upstream LB, a coordinated effort designed to prevent housing instability, stabilize residents in crisis, create pathways into permanent housing and reduce homelessness across the city with a focus on youth, seniors, and families impacted by shifting federal policies and immigration enforcement actions.

"Upstream LB reflects our commitment to keeping Long Beach residents housed and supported during times of crisis," said Mayor Rex Richardson, who chairs the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency as part of its Renter Protection and Homelessness Prevention Program. "By expanding our efforts through targeted programs like the Long Beach Renter Aid Program, we can step in before a crisis hits, helping residents cover overdue rent and essential costs, preventing homelessness, and giving families a real chance to get back on their feet."

Long Beach Renter Aid will offer temporary financial assistance for overdue rent, short-term rental assistance, past-due utilities and relocation costs. A minimum of $250,000 and up to $500,000 will be set aside for settlement assistance, and $500,000 will be set aside to assist households impacted by shifting federal policies and immigration enforcement actions. Payments will be made directly to landlords or service providers. Participants will also be connected to supportive services and basic needs resources to promote long-term stability.

The Long Beach Renter Aid Program is open to households that meet all of the following criteria:

• Live in rental housing in Long Beach, including people temporarily staying in another housing arrangement
• Have a household income at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI)
• Have experienced an emergency or unexpected event within the past 12 months that places them at risk of losing housing, which cannot be resolved without financial assistance

Priority will be given to households that meet one or more of the following conditions:

• Include adults age 55 and older
• Are at immediate or imminent risk of eviction or homelessness (e.g., having received an eviction notice, three-day notice or pay-or-quit notice)
• Are experiencing a housing emergency due to loss of federal benefits, loss of a federal housing program, federal policy changes or immigration enforcement actions.  

Eligible people can apply online or in person. Applications are available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog. Visit longbeach.gov/renteraid for application details and locations. The first application window closes May 8, 2026. Beginning in June, applications will be accepted monthly from the 5th through the 12th of each month or until funds are fully distributed. Early application is encouraged, as funds are limited.

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Applications will be reviewed based on eligibility and priority criteria. Applicants will receive a response within five business days after the application period closes. Selected applicants will be contacted to complete verification and a full assessment. Approved payments are expected within 30 days of verification, with expedited assistance available in urgent cases.

In addition to the Long Beach Renter Aid Program, the City will launch two additional prevention programs in the coming months as part of the Upstream LB initiative:

Older Adult Shallow Subsidy (Launching May 2026): Designed for older adults on fixed incomes, this program will provide ongoing rental assistance to help participants remain housed while they are connected to permanent housing resources, such as Housing Choice Vouchers. Participants will also receive connections to supportive services and basic needs resources. Funded by Los Angeles County Measure A, State General Fund, and HHAP, the program is expected to serve approximately 150 households with a $1.8 million investment.

Youth Homelessness Prevention Unit (HPU) (Launching July 2026): This program will support Long Beach residents ages 18–25 who are at high risk of homelessness. Expanding L.A. County's Homelessness Prevention Unit model, the program will use predictive modeling developed by University of California, Los Angeles California Policy Lab to identify youth at risk and proactively offer enrollment.

Using data from various county departments, including Health Services, Mental Health, Public Social Services and Child and Family Services, the program will connect participants with case managers to develop individualized prevention plans; four to six months of housing-focused support; flexible financial assistance; and connections to employment, mental health and housing services. Funded by Measure A and philanthropic partners, the program is expected to serve approximately 50 youth in its first year with a $750,000 investment.

In addition to these programs, the City continues to support its Right to Counsel program, which provides free legal assistance to low-income residents facing eviction through a partnership with Stay Housed LA. Since 2021, the program has served more than 1,700 Long Beach residents, achieving a success rate of approximately 90% in preventing or reducing displacement. By combining legal representation, tenant education and early intervention, the program serves as a critical complement to the City's financial assistance efforts.

"Stable housing is the foundation for health and well-being," said Alison King, Director of Health and Human Services. "These programs ensure that when residents are facing unexpected challenges, they have the support they need to remain in their homes, especially as homelessness continues to be a critical public health concern."

All programs within Upstream LB are supported by Los Angeles County Measure A, with funding administered through the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency as part of its Renter Protection and Homelessness Prevention program. The City has been allocated approximately $15 million in Measure A funds, including over $4 million dedicated to renter protections and homelessness prevention programs. This funding was adopted as part of the Mayor's recommendations in the City Council-approved Fiscal Year 2026 Budget.

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"Rental assistance is a bridge, providing immediate relief while we build more affordable housing as a long-term solution," said Christopher Koontz, Director of Long Beach's Community Development Department, which is partnering with developers on four affordable housing developments currently under construction, plus four more expected to break ground in the coming months."

The City is committed to helping Long Beach residents stay housed and connected to the resources they need. For more information on the City's homelessness prevention and housing support efforts, visit longbeach.gov/homelessness and follow @lbhealthdept and @longbeachcity on social media.

More information about upcoming Upstream LB programs will be announced in the coming months. For more information on the Long Beach Renter Aid Program, visit longbeach.gov/RenterAid or email LBRenterAid@longbeach.gov.

About the City of Long Beach

Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. More information about the Long Beach Health Department is available at longbeach.gov/health and on Instagram, Facebook and X.

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