By Dianne Anderson<\/p>\n
For low-income renters barely surviving on fixed incomes, just a few hundred dollars can mean the difference between staying housed and becoming homeless.<\/p>\n
The economic squeeze can be brutal.<\/p>\n
But those who act fast may find relief through the City\u2019s new Older Adult Shallow Subsidy Program, offering qualifying low-income renters approximately $400 to $500 a month in time-limited rental assistance.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s as much as $12,000 over two years.<\/p>\n
\u201cOlder adults living on fixed incomes are increasingly vulnerable to housing instability as rents continue to rise across the region,\u201d Mayor Rex Richardson said in announcing the program.<\/p>\n
To qualify, households must have at least one member who is 62 or older, or 55 or older with a disability. They must live in a non-subsidized Long Beach rental, have a household income at or below 50% of the area median income, and spend 70% or more of their income on rent.<\/p>\n
Applications opened July 29. As of August 27, the City had received 318 applications from households meeting the program\u2019s basic eligibility requirements, with more than 30 households selected and now in the enrollment process.<\/p>\n
Paul Duncan, Homeless Services Bureau Manager, said the demand currently exceeds the funding available, and the\u00a0City\u00a0does not have an unlimited number of subsidy slots.<\/p>\n
Before applying, eligible renters should review required documents and language options. Applications can be completed in the four languages offered by the City, with assistance available at several locations listed on the City\u2019s webpage.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are actively pursuing\u00a0additional\u00a0funding opportunities that could allow us to serve more eligible households if funding becomes available,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Common reasons a household may be ineligible include having income above the program\u2019s limit or not meeting the rent-burden requirement.<\/p>\n
If rent is 40% or more higher than the household\u2019s income, the City may determine that the $400 to $500 monthly subsidy would not be enough to keep the household housed.<\/p>\n
Applicants receive an immediate email letting them know whether they meet the basic eligibility criteria. The application also asks about household history and vulnerabilities. That information, along with age, will be used to prioritize eligible households for selection.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven the level of demand, not every household that meets the basic eligibility requirements will necessarily be selected. The\u00a0City\u00a0is continuing to pursue\u00a0additional\u00a0funding to expand the number of households that can be served,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Based on current application volume and demand, the City plans to keep the application portal open through Sept. 10. After the application period closes, the City will make its selections and begin the enrollment process in September.<\/p>\n
Low-income renters age 62 or older, or age 55 or older with a disability, who are struggling with their rent are encouraged to review the application and reach out for assistance if needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cPreventing homelessness requires upstream solutions that stabilize households before they enter crisis,\u201d said Alison King, Director of Health and Human Services. \u201cThis\u00a0Program\u00a0will provide meaningful support to\u00a0older\u00a0adults\u00a0facing severe rent burden while helping connect them to long-term housing stability and supportive services.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beyond rent relief, other Long Beach programs are helping residents connect and solve some everyday problems.<\/p>\n
Long Beach Forward is also inviting residents to turn out, get the tools needed to understand how local decisions are made, and learn to advocate not only for themselves, but for others.<\/p>\n
Running Saturdays from Sept. 12 through Nov. 7, the People\u2019s Planning School will cover housing, tenant rights, transportation, land use and neighborhood development. Sessions also explore Long Beach\u2019s racial, economic and political history, environmental justice, food justice and community organizing.<\/p>\n
Giving residents a stronger voice in decisions about zoning, development and what happens in their neighborhoods is the goal.<\/p>\n
Marlene Monta\u00f1ez, associate director of Long Beach Forward, said the school goes beyond teaching tenant rights, covering broader issues that shape how communities look and function.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are the ways that we want to create more community-centered spaces and areas? So not just spaces and areas where people have to pay for to exist, but areas that people can actually just thrive and enjoy being in nature, having trees around, ensuring that parks are accessible,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Residents are showing strong interest in the program, with more applicants than expected.<\/p>\n
Black residents and local leaders are also showing up, but she is concerned that systemic challenges are making it harder for them to remain part of the conversation.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of our Black community is being highly displaced out of the city of Long Beach because of some of these policies that are pushing black families out, especially Black working women. If they\u2019re single, they have more of those probability of being displaced out of the city of Long Beach.\u201d<\/p>\n
Monta\u00f1ez said ICE raids and fear of raids are also contributing to displacement in the Latino community.<\/p>\n
\u201cEither because folks are having to look into smaller spaces in order to make it unique because of the work being harder to find, or people are leaving certain areas that they feel are more targeted for raids. That\u2019s creating a lot of the displacement for our Latino community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She wants residents thinking about the big picture, including future housing policies and the 2028 Olympics, and how they could affect their communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want people to understand that they are the folks that can create [by] making sure they\u2019re part of the crucial conversations,\u201d she said. \u201cWe want them to also be advocating for folks at the state level as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Long Beach Time Exchange also allows residents to trade time and skills instead of money, using credits earned by helping others.<\/p>\n
Andy Cleff with the Long Beach Time Exchange said the project has diminished since COVID, but is still active, helping others with tasks, from plumbing, electrical and carpentry to bike, boat and auto repair, sewing, and home and garden care.<\/p>\n
Volunteers have also provided their skills at the city\u2019s Long Beach Fix-It Clinics, helping residents repair household items.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we saw, our fixers supported it at no cost. It\u2019s just they love to fix stuff,\u201d he said. \u201cThere was a handful of fixers who just volunteered their time to get time credits, which they can then use for themselves, and for things that they need.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also coming up for Long Beach families, the Public Library is offering early-childhood programming, Hispanic Heritage Month events and a 10-year celebration of the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library.<\/p>\n
In North Long Beach, the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library will mark its 10th anniversary with a free, family-friendly celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at 5870 Atlantic Ave., featuring storytelling, music, dancing, hands-on activities and crafts.<\/p>\n
Ina Buckner-Barnette, the Sunshine Storyteller, will lead an all-ages program from noon to 1:00 p.m. Teens can sketch their vision for the library\u2019s next decade over snacks from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. Adults can customize anniversary tote bags from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., while children 12 and younger can decorate party hats from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.<\/p>\n
At Burnett Neighborhood Library, SBCC Preschool Without Walls will offer bilingual English-Spanish classes for children ages 0 to 5 and their caregivers on Thursdays, Sept. 10, 17 and 24. The library will also celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with its Vida Latina series.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe offer a large variety of programs for all ages,\u201d said Maurina Cintron, a public affairs assistant with the Long Beach Department of Library, Arts and Culture.<\/p>\n
For more information:<\/p>\n
On the Older Adult Shallow Subsidy, see City\u2019s Older Adult Rental Assistance Program webpage. https:\/\/longbeach.gov\/homelessness\/homeless-services\/olderadultrent\/<\/p>\n