What the Long Beach Housing Authority does

The Long Beach Housing Authority (LBHA) is a public agency that runs public housing, Section 8 vouchers, and other affordable housing programs in Long Beach, California. It does not set local housing law or regulate private landlords — that is the city's job. LBHA's role is to own and manage public housing units, distribute federal rental vouchers to low-income households, and administer programs that help people afford rent in the private market.

LBHA serves Long Beach residents only. If you live outside the city limits, you will need to contact your own county or city housing authority. The agency operates under federal rules set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which means the programs, income limits, and waiting lists follow a national structure — but LBHA sets its own local policies within that framework.

Key Takeaways

  • LBHA runs public housing units, Section 8 vouchers, and other rental information programs, but only for Long Beach residents.
  • To reach LBHA, call 562-437-0701 or visit their office at 2640 N. Lakewood Boulevard; they do not process requests by email alone.
  • Most LBHA programs have long waiting lists, sometimes years long, and new applications may be closed when the list is full.
  • Income limits vary by program and family size, and LBHA will ask for proof of income, residency, and citizenship or immigration status.
  • LBHA does not handle emergency rental information — that comes through the city of Long Beach or Los Angeles County, depending on where you live within the city.

LBHA's main programs and what they cover

Public Housing means LBHA owns the building and you pay rent based on your income, usually 30 percent of what you earn. LBHA maintains the property and handles repairs. The waiting list for public housing in Long Beach is typically several years long, and applications are often closed.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers let you rent from a private landlord and LBHA pays part of your rent directly to the landlord. You pay the difference. The voucher amount depends on the size of the unit and the local market rent; you keep the voucher as long as you stay within income limits and follow program rules. The Section 8 waiting list in Long Beach is also very long and frequently closed to new applications.

Project-Based Vouchers are tied to a specific building rather than to you — if you move, you lose the voucher. LBHA uses these in partnerships with private owners to create affordable units.

Other programs LBHA administers include Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS), which pairs rental information with job training and savings accounts, and Moving to Work (MTW) programs that test new ways to deliver housing information. Ask LBHA directly which programs are currently open and whether you might be a fit.

How to contact LBHA and what to bring

Call LBHA at 562-437-0701 during business hours. Their main office is at 2640 N. Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90815. You can also visit in person, though calling first to confirm hours and any current closures is wise.

Before you call or visit, gather proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit letters), proof of Long Beach residency (lease, utility bill, or government mail), and proof of citizenship or immigration status (passport, green card, or USCIS documents). LBHA will also ask about your household size, current housing situation, and any special needs.

LBHA does not process applications by email or online portal alone. You must explore in person or by phone, and staff will tell you whether applications are open for the program you are interested in. If the waiting list is closed, ask when it might reopen — some programs add new applicants once a year or when funding changes.

Income limits and how LBHA calculates them

LBHA uses federal income limits that are set each year based on the area median income for Long Beach and surrounding areas. Limits vary by program and by household size. A single person's limit is lower than a family of four's limit. LBHA counts gross income — wages before taxes, plus benefits, child support, and other regular money coming in.

Income limits change every April when HUD releases new figures. If you are over the limit when you explore, you will not be accepted. If you are accepted and your income later rises above the limit, LBHA may require you to leave the program or pay higher rent. Ask LBHA for the current year's income limits for your household size before you explore.

Waiting lists and how long they take

Most LBHA programs have waiting lists that are years long. Public housing and Section 8 vouchers are the most in-demand, and both have closed applications in Long Beach in recent years. When a list is closed, LBHA stops taking new names until funding or turnover allows them to reopen.

If your process is accepted and you are placed on a waiting list, LBHA will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available. This can take months or years. LBHA may ask you to confirm your interest periodically — if you do not respond, they may remove you from the list. Keep your contact information current with LBHA.

Waiting list position is usually based on the date you applied, though some programs give priority to people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, or families with children. Ask LBHA whether any priority categories explore to you.

What happens after you are accepted

Once LBHA approves you, you will sign a lease or voucher agreement that spells out your rights and responsibilities. For public housing, you pay rent based on your income and LBHA provides maintenance. For Section 8, you find your own rental unit (within LBHA's rules) and the landlord must agree to accept the voucher.

LBHA will conduct a home inspection to make sure the unit meets housing quality standards. For Section 8, this happens before you move in. For public housing, LBHA inspects regularly to may support the building is safe and habitable.

You must report changes in income, household size, or employment to LBHA within a set time frame — usually 30 days. Failure to report can result in overpayment, loss of the voucher, or eviction from public housing. LBHA will also recertify your income annually to confirm you still meet program rules.

Emergency rental information and other city programs

LBHA does not run emergency rental information. If you are behind on rent or facing eviction, contact the city of Long Beach's housing department or call 211 (a free referral line) to find out which emergency funds are currently open. Long Beach has had emergency rental programs funded by the state and federal government, but these are separate from LBHA and have different rules and waiting lists.

The city also runs other affordable housing programs, tenant rights resources, and eviction prevention services that are not part of LBHA. Ask 211 or the city's housing office what programs might help your situation right now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to live in Long Beach to use LBHA?

Yes. LBHA only serves Long Beach residents. If you live in another city or unincorporated Los Angeles County, you must contact your own local housing authority. You can find your housing authority by calling 211 or searching HUD's list of public housing agencies.

What if I have an eviction on my record?

LBHA has the right to deny you based on eviction history, but policies vary. Some programs look at how long ago the eviction was and why it happened. Call LBHA and ask whether your specific situation would disqualify you before you spend time gathering documents.

Can I use my Section 8 voucher anywhere in California?

No. A Long Beach Section 8 voucher is only good in Long Beach and a few surrounding areas that LBHA has agreements with. If you move outside that area, you lose the voucher. LBHA can tell you the exact boundaries.

What if I am not a U.S. citizen?

LBHA can serve some non-citizens, including green card holders and certain visa holders, but rules are strict. Bring whatever immigration documents you have when you contact LBHA. They will tell you whether you are may be able to access for the specific program you are interested in.

How do I know if applications are open?

Call LBHA at 562-437-0701 and ask whether they are taking new applications for the program you want. Do not assume applications are open just because you are may be able to access — waiting lists fill up and close regularly. LBHA staff can tell you in one call whether you can explore right now.