Long Beach Housing Authority Recently Published Updated Payment Standards & Announced Improved Processes For Property Owners
Watch the Video:
In this video I sit down with Mechell Roberts (From Long Beach Housing Authority) and Cristina Garcia (Property Manager) and we discuss the big changes that section 8 is rolling out for 2024.
Contact Info:
Mechell Roberts- Long Beach Housing Authority: 562-570-6985, https://www.longbeach.gov/haclb/owners-and-agents/
Cristina Garcia- Heart Property Management: (562)270-4253, https://www.heartpmg.com/
Updated Payment Standards
On October 1st, the Long Beach Housing Authority updates payment standards for section 8 housing participants. The payment standards are broken down by bedroom count in each zip code. It’s important to note that the published payment standards aren’t necessarily the rents that you will receive if you rent to a Section 8 participant. There are 2 calculations that the Housing Authority will complete prior to giving owners a final rent number. 1) Rent Reasonableness Calculation 2) Tenant Assistance Estimator Calculation
What is The Rent Reasonableness Calculation?
The Housing Authority will use a third party to pull rental comps within 1 mile of a unit that a section 8 participant has applied for. The goal is to understand what non-section 8 tenants are paying for similar units. They will use the rental comps as the first factor to determine what the Housing Authority can offer an owner for rent. Once rental comps have been pulled, the Housing Authority will email the owner the rent offer and if the owner accepts they will move on to the second calculation in the process.
The Housing Authority will make adjustments to the rent for extras like laundry, parking, storage, garages, etc. It’s important to note that the Housing Authority will not make adjustments for upgraded finishes in the unit. For example, upgraded counter tops, flooring, etc, will not result in a higher offer from section 8. However, these unit upgrades may help you attract tenants and fill your unit more quickly.
The rent reasonableness calculation applies when a tenant applies for a unit and throughout the span of a tenancy. When an owner applies for rent increases, they will be subject to the rent reasonableness calculation and may be denied a rent increase if the new rent exceeds the rental comps in an area.
What is the Tenant Assistance Estimator Calculation?
The Housing Authority will typically pay a portion of a tenant’s rent and the tenant will be responsible for paying the balance. The Assistance Estimator Calculation ensures that the tenant isn’t paying more than 40% of their adjusted monthly income towards rent.
The Long Beach Housing Authority has a calculator, which will be posted on their website, that owners can use to understand this calculation. Alternatively, if a housing provider calls or visits a rental clinic someone at the Housing Authority office can walk them through this calculation. The housing authority may adjust their rent offer down if a prospective tenant would be paying more than 40% of their adjusted income towards rent.
The Assistance Estimator Calculation only applies when a section 8 tenant is applying for a unit. The Housing Authority will not do the Assistance Estimator Calculation when rent increases are issued throughout the span of a tenancy.
Section 8 Processing Times
In the past it could take weeks or even months to go through the process to accept a section 8 applicant. The Long Beach Housing Authority has completely revamped this process and drastically reduced processing times. Once an owner turns in their packet (RAFTA) they can now schedule an inspection of the unit which will take place within 5 days.
Additionally, the Long Beach Housing Authority is now hosting a weekly “Leasing Clinic.” Every Wednesday housing providers will be able to visit the Housing Authority Office and go through the application process. The Leasing Clinics will assist owners with submitting their RAFTA and the Housing Authority will run the Reasonableness Calculation and Tenant Assistance Estimator Calculation so they can provide a rent offer on the spot. If an owner wants to proceed with a rent offer, they can schedule a property inspection which will take place within the next 5 days.
To speed up the process further, housing providers now have the option to pre register and do pre inspections. If an owner have an upcoming vacancy.
Additional Owner Incentives
The Long Beach Housing Authority is currently offer 2 different incentive programs to encourage housing providers to rent to section 8 participants.
The Housing Authority is currently offering $2500 bonus incentives if a a housing provider rents a unit to a tenant that is on a preselected list. The list is comprised of families that are new to the section 8 program.
If a housing provider rents a unit to a family that has been “previously unhoused” the housing provider can receive a $2500 bonus, the tenant will receive security deposit assistance, and there is a fund that will cover some damages to the unit (if any) when the tenant moves out.
What Does the Housing Authority Look For During Inspections?
The inspection process will be changing soon but for the most part the Housing Authority is inspecting the property for health and safety issues. The inspections take place before a voucher holder moves into a unit and every 2 years after a tenancy is established. Some items that come up frequently during inspections are:
- Peeling and chipping pain (lead hazard)
- Missing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
- Deadbolt locks on bedrooms (fire safety issue)
- Stove hoods must be clean and in good working order
- All provided appliances must be fully functional (all stove burners working)
- Chipped or damaged flooring (tripping issues)
- All outlets need to be grounded
- Window screens and window locks in good working order
- No leaks, faucet drips, running toilets, or clogged drains
- No rotting or damaged garage framing
- Rotting or damaged stairs or decking
- Laundry rooms clean, accessible, and ventilated
- Doorbell must work if provided
- Screen doors can’t be damaged
- No pest control issues
- Tripping hazards in common walkways
- Overgrown yards or dumped items
