Special Programs

Section 8 offers the following special programs for its participating members. See below for more information.

Family Self-Sufficiency Program
Section 8 Homeless Program
Homeownership Program
Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS
New Construction Program
Project Based Voucher Program
Shelter Plus Care Program
Moderate Rehabilitation for Single Room Occupancy
Moderate Rehabilitation
HUD-VASH

FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM

The Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) is designed to help Section 8 families gain and maintain independence from welfare.  FSS uses housing as the stabilizing base so that families are able to invest energies in efforts necessary to achieve self-sufficiency.  The FSS goal is to have families become independent within a five to seven year period through educational development, and technical, trade and vocational skill training.  FSS coordinates public-private partnerships and resources to involve local business, elected officials, and agencies into an integrated personal development program.  FSS families have access to childcare assistance, transportation, job counseling and readiness training, money management courses, and other needed supportive services that promote independence and choice.

The FSS Program offers families a financial incentive to participate in the form of an escrow account which become available to them upon program completion. 

Currently closed for new applicants.

In 1991, the Housing Authority joined with non-profit community-based organizations and government agencies to create a Section 8 Homeless Program. The goal of the program is to provide permanent affordable housing for homeless individuals and families while insuring them access to supportive services to maintain independent living.  The Homeless Program targets homeless individuals and families living in transitional housing and emergency shelters. 4,011 housing choice vouchers have been set aside for the Homeless Program.  

Eligibility Requirements
The Housing Authority has contracted with fifteen nonprofit agencies to provide Homeless Program social services and Section 8 referrals.  To be eligible for the program, individuals or families must meet the federal definition of homeless (see below for definition) and be referred by one of the contracted agencies. Applications received from the agencies are reviewed for Section 8 eligibility. If the applicant qualifies, he/she will be issued a voucher to begin searching for a rental unit.

To be homeless, an individual or family

• lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and
• has a primary nighttime residence that is:
  • A supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations (including welfare/voucher hotels, congregate shelters, or  transitional housing designed for homeless persons); or  
  • An institution that provides a temporary residence for persons intended to be institutionalized; or
  • A public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings (street, park, hallway, freeway underpass.)

Lorena Guardado
Special Programs Coordinator
(213) 252-1612

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In October, 2000 HUD rules changed, allowing housing authorities to assist Section 8 participants to become homeowners. Under the Homeownership program, a housing authority can choose to allow Section 8 participants to use their Vouchers to purchase a home.  The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles began implementing the Homeownership Program in the year 2001. 

Eligibility requirements
A person / family must:

1. Be a current HACLA Section 8 participant enrolled in HACLA's Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program who is in compliance with their contract of participation or is a recent FSS participant eligible for transitional supportive services; or
2. Be a current HACLA Section 8 participant, who is elderly or disabled as defined by 24 CFR 5.403(b); or
3. Be an eligible applicant family certified as being displaced by the action of a government agency or school district, which is operating under an agreement with the HACLA.
4. Be first-time homebuyer, as defined by HUD-with no ownership interest in a home over the past three (3) years.  
5. Not owe money to any housing authority.
6. Have at least one adult household member continuously employed full-time for at least 1 year prior to applying for homeownership assistance. If the head of household is elderly or disabled, this requirement may be waived.
7. Earn a minimum annual gross income of $16,640.
8. Have a middle FICO score of 620.
9. Have a certificate of completion of a first time home buyer counseling workshop issued within one year prior approval for the Homeownership Program.

Participant's responsibilities
Section 8 participants will be responsible for the down payment funds, choosing a lender and meeting the lender's requirements. However, the Housing Authority may reject the application if the lender or the loan does not meet standards.  In addition to the Housing Authority's inspection, the Section 8 participant must arrange and pay for an independent inspection by a certified home inspector.

Lorena Guardado
Special Program Coordinator
(213) 252-1612

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HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS (HOPWA)

The Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Program was established in 1991 by the AIDS Housing Opportunities Act to provide support for housing assistance and services to low-income persons with HIV/AIDS and their families.  HOPWA program strategy is to allow states and metropolitan areas that have a high incidence of AIDS cases to design long-term comprehensive strategies to meet the housing needs of persons with AIDS.  HUD awards HOPWA funds to one government entity in each eligible metropolitan area.  In Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) is the coordinating agency administering HOPWA grant funds for all of Los Angeles City and County.

The Housing Authority serves on the Los Angeles County-wide HOPWA Advisory Committee (LACHAC) along with representatives from city and county government, health services, and AIDS advocates, to develop a coordinated plan using HOPWA grant funds for a variety of housing and supportive services.

Tenant-Based Rental Assistance

The HOPWA Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program, modeled on the Section 8 Voucher Program, provides long-term affordable housing choices for individuals and families living with HIV and AIDS.  HOPWA applicants contact the Housing Authority via phone to apply for the program.

Currently closed for new applicants.

The Housing Authority also operates a Fast Track component, accepting applications directly from eligible households and referring applicants to contracted agencies for long-term service needs or immediate assistance, if necessary.

Project-Based Rental Assistance

The Housing Authority works with two non-profit housing providers, Hollywood Community Housing Corporation and West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation, to provide affordable housing for 32 households. 

Tela Raymundo
HOPWA Program Administrative Assistant
(213) 252-2704

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NEW CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM

The New Construction Program occurred began in 1974. Under this program, for-profit and non-profit housing developers were encouraged to construct new rental housing for low-income families. Again, like SRO and Moderate Rehabilitation Programs, Section 8 rental assistance did not provide funding for new rental construction. HUD's strategy of a guaranteed Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract with a building's owner was used to leverage new construction financing. New Construction Program HAP contracts were written for terms of 20 to 40 years.

The rental subsidy in the New Construction Program is attached to the building as Project-Based Rental Assistance. As long as a tenant remains in the building during the term of the contract, he/she receives the rental subsidy.

Darrell Arms
Administrative Assistant
(213) 252-4262

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Similar to the Moderate Rehabilitation and New Construction Programs, the Project-Based Voucher Program (PBV) is designed to encourage property owners to construct new or upgrade substandard rental housing for low-income families. A housing authority may choose to provide Section 8 PBV rental assistance for up to 20% of its units under the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP). Initial rents in PBV properties are set at or below the Section 8 Existing Fair Market Rents (FMRs).

The Housing Authority selects projects for PBV through a competitive Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) issued by city government partners as the Permanent Supportive Housing Program (PSHP).  Upon Housing Authority project award and HUD approval, the Housing Authority executes an Agreement with the building owner to enter into a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contract.  When the project is ready for occupancy, the Housing Authority and the owner execute a HAP Contract for a 10 year term of rental subsidy.

The rental subsidy in the PBV is attached to the building or unit. As long as a tenant eligible for Section 8 assistance remains in the building or unit during the term of the Contract, he/she receives the rental subsidy.

Timothy Young
Special Program Administration
(213) 252-4276

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SHELTER PLUS CARE PROGRAM

The Shelter Plus Care Program was created under the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act.  Shelter Plus Care is designed to promote permanent housing with supportive service to persons with disabilities coming from the streets and emergency shelters.  Shelter Plus Care grants require a supportive services match equal to, or greater than, the Section 8 rental assistance award.

HUD selects projects for Shelter Plus Care funding in a national competition based on regional and national homeless assistance goals.  The Housing Authority chooses projects to include in an application to HUD through a Request For Proposals (RFP) and evaluation process.  Selected applicants receive rental assistance on behalf of a homeless tenant for five years.  The grants provide for a variety of housing rental situations, Tenant-Based (TRA), Sponsor-Based (SRA), Project-Based (PBA), and an SRO MRP Based Rental Assistance component.  If a Shelter Plus Care applicant proposes to fund rehabilitation efforts for project-based units, the Section 8 rental assistance award is for ten years.

To be eligible for the program, a person must be homeless (see definition below), with a mental illness, substance abuse problem, HIV/AIDS or a dual diagnosis, and must be referred by the community-based organization which provides supportive services under contract with the Housing Authority's Shelter Plus Care program.  Applications received from these agencies are reviewed for Shelter Plus Care eligibility. 

Homeless includes a family or individual who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence; and has a primary nighttime residence that is:

1. A supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations (including welfare hotels, congregate shelters, and transitional housing for the mentally ill); or

2. An institution that provides a temporary residence for persons intended to be institutionalized; or

3. A public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings (street, park, hallway, freeway underpass).

The term "homeless" or "homeless individual" does not include any individual imprisoned or otherwise detained pursuant to an Act of Congress or a State law. 

Tinzy Milton
Special Program Coordinator
(213) 252-6988

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MODERATE REHABILITATION FOR SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY 

The SRO Moderate Rehabilitation Program was created under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. The Section 8 rental assistance provided under this program is designed to bring more SRO units into the local housing supply to assist homeless persons into permanent housing. Much like the Moderate Rehabilitation Program, HUD's strategy is to convert existing housing, a rundown hotel, or even an abandoned building into safe and decent housing. HUD urges applicants to be creative when selecting buildings for this program. Again, like the Moderate Rehab Program, the SRO Section 8 subsidy does not provide financing for rehabilitation costs.

HUD selects applicants for SRO Moderate Rehabilitation funding in a national competition based on regional and national homeless assistance goals. The Housing Authority first chooses projects to include in an application to HUD through a Request For Proposal (RFP) and evaluation process. Selected SRO projects (owners) receive rental assistance on behalf of a homeless tenant for ten years. To be eligible for assistance, an SRO unit must receive a minimum of $3,000 of rehabilitation work to meet HUD's Housing Quality Standards (HQS).

The rental subsidy in the SRO Moderate Rehabilitation Program is attached to the building or unit as Project-Based Rental Assistance. As long as a tenant remains in that building or unit during the term of the contract, he/she receives the rental subsidy.

Tinzy Milton
Special Programs Coordinator
(213) 252-6988

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The Moderate Rehabilitation (Mod Rehab) program was designed in 1978 to be an expansion of the rental certificate program. While the rental certificate program stimulated maintenance of the housing stock, an estimated 2.7 million rental units nationwide had deficiencies requiring a moderate level of upgrading; and approximately 85% of these units were in buildings of fewer than 20 units. The Mod Rehab program was designed to upgrade that housing stock.

The Moderate Rehabilitation Program provides project-based rental assistance to very low-income individuals and families. The rental subsidy is attached to the building or unit. As long as a tenant remains in that building or unit during the term of the contract, he/she benefits from the rental subsidy. The Section 8 subsidy does not provide financing for rehabilitation costs.

No new projects are authorized for development under the Moderate Rehabilitation Program. Assistance is limited to properties previously rehabilitated pursuant to a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract between an owner and a Public Housing Agency (PHA).

Owners under contract to Section 8 maintain their own waiting lists and refer applicants to the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles for determination of eligibility.

Tinzy Milton
Special Program Coordinator
(213) 252-6988

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HUD-VASH

The HUD-VASH Program is a national initiative originally implemented in 1992 as a collaborative effort between the US Dept of Housing and Urban Development and the Veterans Affairs Department that provides permanent housing and supportive services to homeless veterans. The program partners the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles and the L.A. Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC).  The goal of the Program is to combine Section 8 rental assistance vouchers with case management and clinical services provided by the Veterans Affairs Department at its medical centers to enable homeless veterans to re-integrate in the community to lead healthy, productive lives.   

Program Eligibility

• The Los Angeles VAMC will determine eligibility of homeless veterans and families for the Program.
• HACLA will determine eligibility for the rental subsidy in accordance with the Housing Choice Voucher Program guidelines.

Family Obligations

• As a condition of continuing participation in the HUD-VASH Program, an eligible individual and/or family must receive case management services from the VAMC.
• The HUD-VASH rental subsidy is terminated if the individual and/or family fails to participate in case management, without good cause, as verified by the VAMC.