What the Housing Authority of Los Angeles does

The Housing Authority of Los Angeles (HACLA) is a public agency that owns and manages affordable rental housing across Los Angeles County. It does not build or finance homes for purchase — it operates apartment buildings and provides rental vouchers that help low-income residents pay rent to private landlords. HACLA serves roughly 65,000 people through its public housing developments and another 45,000 through its voucher program.

HACLA is separate from the City of Los Angeles government, though it receives some city funding and operates under city oversight. It is governed by a board of commissioners and run by an executive director. The agency's main job is to keep affordable rental housing available in a county where market rents are far above what most low-income households can pay.

Key Takeaways

  • HACLA owns and manages public housing developments and distributes rental vouchers; it does not help you buy a home or provide emergency information.
  • To get on a HACLA waiting list, you must meet income limits (usually 50 to 80 percent of the area median income) and explore during an open enrollment period.
  • HACLA waiting lists are typically closed and can have thousands of names; when they open, spots fill within days or weeks.
  • Once housed through HACLA, you pay 30 percent of your income as rent; HACLA or the voucher covers the rest.
  • You can contact HACLA through its main office, regional service centers, or the website at hacla.org to learn current waiting list status.

HACLA's two main programs: public housing and vouchers

HACLA operates two separate paths to affordable housing. Public housing means HACLA owns the building and you rent directly from the agency. These are apartment complexes scattered across Los Angeles County, ranging from small buildings to large developments. You live in a HACLA-owned unit and pay rent to HACLA based on your income.

Rental vouchers (also called Section 8 vouchers) work differently. HACLA gives you a voucher worth a certain dollar amount per month. You find a rental home on the private market — a house, apartment, or condo — and the landlord must accept the voucher. You pay 30 percent of your income; the voucher pays the rest, up to the voucher's limit. The landlord gets paid by HACLA, not by you.

Both programs require you to meet income limits and both have waiting lists. The waiting lists are separate — you can be on both at the same time, but you will be housed through whichever program reaches you first. Most people wait longer for a voucher than for public housing, though this varies by year and by how many people are on each list.

Income limits and who can get on a waiting list

HACLA sets income limits based on family size and the area median income for Los Angeles County. The limits change each year. Generally, a single person must earn no more than 50 to 80 percent of the area median income; a family of four might have a limit around $50,000 to $65,000 per year, though the exact number shifts annually. You can find the current year's limits on the HACLA website or by calling a regional service center.

You must also be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status. HACLA will ask for proof of identity, Social Security number, and immigration documents. If you have an eviction record or criminal history, you may still be able to get on the list, but HACLA screens for certain offenses and lease violations. The agency publishes its screening criteria on its website.

To get on a waiting list, you must explore during an open enrollment period. HACLA does not keep the lists open year-round. When a list opens, it typically fills within days or a few weeks. The agency announces openings on its website, through local nonprofits, and sometimes through media. If you miss an opening, you will have to wait until the next one — which could be months or years away.

how the process works and what documents you need

When HACLA opens a waiting list, you can explore online through hacla.org or in person at a regional service center. You will need to provide proof of identity (driver's license, passport, or state ID), proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), and proof of residency in Los Angeles County. If you are unemployed, you may need to provide documentation of job search efforts or a letter explaining your situation.

The process itself asks for household information — names and ages of all people living with you, current address, phone number, and income. You will also be asked about any criminal history or evictions. Answer honestly; HACLA will verify information and may deny your process if you provide false details.

After you submit your process, HACLA sends a confirmation. You will then be placed on the waiting list in the order your process was received. The agency does not rank applicants by need or priority (with rare exceptions for people experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence). You straightforward wait your turn.

Wait times and what happens while you are on the list

Wait times vary dramatically depending on the program and the year. For public housing, you might wait anywhere from one to five years. For vouchers, waits are often longer — sometimes five to ten years or more. These are rough ranges; actual times depend on how many people are ahead of you, how many units or vouchers HACLA has available, and funding levels.

While you are on the waiting list, your circumstances may change — you might move, lose your job, or have a new family member. HACLA requires you to report major changes. If you move out of Los Angeles County, you may be removed from the list. If your income rises above the limit, you could lose your spot. Keep your contact information current with HACLA so the agency can reach you when your turn comes.

You can call HACLA or visit a regional service center to check your position on the list, though the agency does not always provide exact numbers. Some people wait years without hearing anything; others are called within months. There is no way to predict when your turn will come.

What to expect once you are housed

When HACLA calls you, you will be offered a specific unit (in public housing) or given a voucher (in the voucher program). You must accept or decline within a set timeframe — usually a few days. If you decline, you may lose your spot on the list or move to the back of the queue.

In public housing, you sign a lease with HACLA and move into the unit. Your rent is 30 percent of your household income, with a minimum rent (usually $50 to $100 per month). HACLA covers utilities, maintenance, and building upkeep. You must follow lease rules, which include keeping the unit clean, not causing disturbances, and allowing HACLA to inspect the property.

With a voucher, you have more choice — you find the apartment or house yourself. The landlord must accept the voucher and pass a HACLA inspection. You pay 30 percent of your income; HACLA pays the rest directly to the landlord. You are responsible for following the lease terms set by the landlord, and HACLA can take away your voucher if you violate the lease or fail to pay your share of the rent.

How to contact HACLA and find current information

HACLA's main office is located in downtown Los Angeles, but most people contact the agency through regional service centers or online. The main phone line is (213) 252-2500. The website, hacla.org, has information about waiting list status, current openings, income limits, and how the process works. You can also visit a regional service center in person to ask questions or submit an process when a list is open.

HACLA also works with community organizations and nonprofits that help people understand the process process and prepare documents. If you need help, search for "HACLA process information" or "housing counseling" in your area — many nonprofits offer free help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get on the HACLA waiting list if I have an eviction on my record?

You may still be able to get on the list, but HACLA reviews eviction records and may deny your process if the eviction is recent or if you owe money to a previous landlord. The agency's screening criteria are posted on its website. If you are denied, you can request a hearing to appeal the decision.

What is the difference between HACLA and Section 8?

HACLA is the agency; Section 8 is a federal program that HACLA administers. HACLA runs both public housing (where it owns the building) and the Section 8 voucher program (where you rent from a private landlord). Section 8 vouchers are one tool HACLA uses to provide affordable housing.

How long does it take to hear back after I explore?

After you submit your process, HACLA will send a confirmation. You will then be placed on the waiting list. You may not hear anything for months or years, depending on how many people are ahead of you. You can call to check your status, but there is no set timeline for when you will be called.

Can I be on both the public housing and voucher waiting lists at the same time?

Yes. You can explore to both programs during their open enrollment periods. You will be housed through whichever program reaches you first. Once you are housed through one program, you are typically removed from the other waiting list.

What happens if my income goes up while I am on the waiting list?

If your income rises above the program limit before you are housed, you may be removed from the waiting list. You must report income changes to HACLA. If you are already housed and your income rises, you may pay more rent, but you will not lose your housing — HACLA allows income to rise up to a certain threshold before you are asked to leave.