The following are updates that affect LAHD-related services

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

2021 COVID-19 Emergency Renters Assistance Subsidy Program

The City of Los Angeles, in partnership with the State of California and the federal government, has created the 2021 COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP),  to assist residential renters who have been unable to pay their rent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) is charged with the implementation of the ERAP.

Monday, December 7, 2020

LAHD Suspends Systematic Code Enforcement (SCEP) inspections

LOS ANGELES — General Manager of the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD), Ann Sewill announced today that to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and to help keep the public and staff safe by limiting exposure, LAHD is temporarily suspending its SCEP inspections.  LAHD will continue to deploy inspectors in the event of life-safety code violations, and fire-related tenant displacement issues. LAHD will maintain operations serving the people of Los Angeles, but limiting the scope of work to prevent exposure to both staff and the public. The LAHD hotline will continue service during regular business days and hours. Residents can call (866) 557- RENT or (866) 557-7368 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Or submit housing-related inquiries to: housing.lacity.org/ask-lahd.

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Assistance for REAP Property Owners with Past Due Mortgage Payments – Policy Amended

As we continue to navigate these challenging times, it is more important than ever that we do everything we can to assist REAP property owners economically impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and to prevent potential foreclosure of these properties due to inability of the property owners to make their mortgage payment(s).

On August 7, 2020, LAHD amended the implemented temporary policy to assist REAP property owners with financial assistance by allowing the escrow funds to be withdrawn for direct payment of mortgage to the lenders. The amended policy extends the assistance period to begin in March 2020 and remain in effect until the COVID-19 emergency order has been lifted.

To learn more about eligibility and how to apply, click here.

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

2020 COVID-19 Emergency Renters Assistance Subsidy Program

The citywide Emergency Rental Assistance Subsidy Program (ERAS) created to assist LA’s tenants and landlords affected by the current COVID-19 health pandemic, and prevent displacement of renters. The program provides a temporary rent subsidy for tenants in the City of Los Angeles
having difficulties with paying rent due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program allocates $103,000,000 to provide a rent subsidy to Los Angeles City renters impacted by the COVID-19 health pandemic and is anticipated to assist 50,000 Los Angeles households. The Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) is charged with the implementation of the Emergency Rental Assistance Subsidy Program (ERAS).

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Administrative Hearings Resume 

LAHD  to resume administrative hearing remotely.  All parties in a hearing will be notifies and be provided instructions on virtual hearings procedures. For a detailed process of such hearing click here.

Monday, March 16, 2020

LAHD Suspends Systematic Code Enforcement (SCEP) inspections

LOS ANGELES — General Manager of the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD), Rushmore D. Cervantes announced today that to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and to help keep the public and staff safe by limiting exposure, LAHD is temporarily closing its five public counters effective today.

Additionally, effective Monday, March 16th, Systematic Code Enforcement Program (SCEP) inspections are suspended until further notice.

LAHD will continue to deploy inspectors in the event of life-safety code violations, and fire-related tenant displacement issues. LAHD will maintain operations serving the people of Los Angeles, but limiting the scope of work to prevent exposure to both staff and the public. The LAHD hotline will continue service during regular business days and hours. Residents can call (866) 557- RENT or (866) 557-7368 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Or submit housing-related inquiries to: housing.lacity.org/ask-lahd.

Residents of Los Angeles are encouraged to subscribe to the official City of Los Angeles Emergency Management communications at NotifyLA.org, for official emergency alerts, and/or follow @ReadyLA on the different social media platforms.

While Los Angeles County maintains that risk is still relatively low, the County’s Department of Public Health is urging all of us to take every possible precaution to stop the spread of the virus. LAHD highly recommends following LA County’s Department of Public Health recommendations. To learn about best practices to prevent the spread of the virus. For more information on Coronavirus Disease, visit: https://covid19.lacounty.gov/

LAHD Suspends In-person Hearings

The in-person hearings with tenants and/or landlords are hereby on hold until further notice, or until alternative means to safely resume the hearings is identified. Thank you for your patience. LAHD staff will contact any parties with currently scheduled appointments. Or, you may contact LAHD regarding any pending notices.

LAHD Suspends Handyworker and LEAD program

The Lead and Handyworker Program services are temporarily on hold as these programs involve field work. Both the Handyworker and Lead Programs require repair teams to go into the homes of Senior Citizens, for protection of our vulnerable population and staff safety, these services are on hold except for emergency repairs.

Homeownership Programs

The Homeownership Program continues to service client remotely for loan processing. Application intake continues, however, processing time may take longer than usual.

Sunday, March 15, 2020

Mayor Eric Garcetti’s issues “Public Order Under City of Los Angeles Emergency Authority”

On March 4, 2020, I declared a local emergency in relation to the arrival of the COVID-19 virus in our community, and on March 12, 2020, I ordered a number of measures to be taken across the City to protect members of the public and City workers from an undue risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus. Our precautions over the past weeks and what we do over the next few days and weeks will determine how well we weather this emergency…

Finally, I hereby order that no landlord shall evict a residential tenant in the City of Los Angeles during this local emergency period if the tenant is able to show an inability to pay rent due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These circumstances include loss of income due to a COVID-19 related workplace closure, child care expenditures due to school closures, health care expenses related to being ill with COVID-19 or caring for a member of the tenant’s household who is ill with COVID-19, or reasonable expenditures that stem from government-ordered emergency measures. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to mean that the tenant will not still be obligated to pay lawfully charged rent. Tenants will have up to six months following the expiration of the local emergency period to repay any back due rent. Tenants may use the protections afforded in this subsection as an affirmative defense in an unlawful detainer action. This subsection shall remain in effect during the pendency of the local emergency period.

This order may be extended prior to March 31, 2020.

Friday, March 13, 2020

LAHD temporarily closes its public service counters

Attn: Angelenos, To help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and to help keep the public and employees safe, the LAHD Public Service Counters are temporarily closed. Stay safe.

From LAHD, General Manager, Rushmore D. Cervantes – Commission meetings and public-related activities postponed until further notice.

Amid Covid-19 concerns and in an abundance of caution, the Housing Department (LAHD) is canceling its March 2020 commission meetings and is placing all future public meetings and gatherings on hold pending further guidance from the Mayor and City Council. Additionally, I have instructed our Commissions and Community Engagement (CCE) team to cancel or postpone all large gathering events. Consequently, the Pioneer Women Celebration, Transgender Day of Visibility, and the Interfaith Seder in partnership with the Jewish Federation have been postponed.