Preventing eviction in Los Angeles

Los Angeles eviction prevention programs are implemented to stop unnecessary evictions before they occur. Officials and charity trustees know that once a family is evicted, it can be very difficult to get the family back on their feet again. Taking action prior to an eviction could substantially reduce the costs and hardship incurred.

These are some of the more mainstream programs that are funded by taxpayers. Each program is designed for a particular type of situation, though there are many cases that would be eligible for emergency rental assistance based on these guidelines.

Four Month Rental Assistance

The CalWORKS program may be able to help you if you believe that you need to increase your income. There are opportunities for small temporary subsidies for your rent while you are trying to get a better paying job. Total rental assistance (RA) is available for up to four months.

Emergency Assistance to Prevent Eviction

The Emergency Assistance to Prevent Eviction (EAPE) program could provide up to $2,000 to cover past due rent. Utilities may also be included if you have received disconnect notices. This is a once-only benefit that cannot be reused. You will need to apply at CalWORKS in order to be considered.

Moving Assistance

If you need to move to a more affordable apartment, then the up to $2,000 lifetime benefit may be used instead to help you move. This can include the cost of your move (truck) as well as the rent and security deposit for your new rental unit. This benefit is available to CalWORKS participants.

Homeless Assistance

Up to two months of back rent may be provided if you have already received a pay rent or quit notice. You will need to provide the notice to your case manager for documentation purposes. Temporary HA may provide up to $65 a day for no more than sixteen consecutive calendar days if you need emergency shelter while making a move. This could help if your new rental unit is not yet ready or approved.

General Relief

Even outside of these individual programs, the county does provide general relief (GR) in certain situations where it can help you stave off disaster. For more information, contact LA DPSS at 562-908-5715.

Requests for Help

(Request from Jai in West Los Angeles) I’ve been working with my generous landlord to stave off the official eviction notices in my area, but I have gotten two 3 day notices already and was warned that I’d only have to year’s end to resolve my being 3 months behind.  I’m an able-bodied, intelligent, formerly self-employed graphic designer until a year and a half ago when the client well ran dry. I signed up for Caljobs, got set up in a state-supported IT retraining program but was unable to properly test for the resulting certifications.  In the interim, I’ve been unable to get additional work, either in my field, outside of it, or even interim jobs (the continuing theme from Taco Bells and Bed Bath and Beyonds of the area is that I have no experience or I’m over qualified).  My car is too old for drving jobs and I’ve since lost my insurance anyway.  My credit is now bad because of lack of funds, so I’m looking at loans from paydays, which I still hope to avoid.  Are there any temporary rent assistance programs in my area that can offer immediate help?

Dear Jai, whatever you do stay away from the payday lenders. This is similar to trying to smother a fire using gasoline. As you can see by the information in this post, the GR, HA, RA or EAPE programs are all possible solutions to your situation.

I strongly recommend taking a close look at your situation to determine what a long-term solution would be. Since you expressed a need to be able to travel to a job without driving, it may be time to consider whether a move is a better option. There is assistance that could help you move to a cheaper apartment that is also closer to potential workplaces.

It sounds like you are in transition in your career. A transitional housing program could be a better option than temporary rental assistance. This can give you many months to focus on your education, certifications and job search while relieving you of the pressure of keeping up with rent payments. We looked at L.A. Family Housing in September 2014, though that is just one of many transitional housing programs that serve Los Angeles. I recommend placing a call to them at 818-982-4091 to see what is possible as well as request a referral to any possible program that is a better match for you in West LA. You will find that often one organization can provide a referral to a program that best fits your needs.

(Request from Daviyon in Los Angeles) I have a 1,420 dollars balance due today and I have 400 dollars. Trying to prevent lock out. Im union ironworker can make all an any payment. Pay is weekly.

Dear Daviyon, I would recommend contacting the Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) immediately. It is important that you get help prior to being locked out of your apartment. It can sometimes be difficult to obtain your belongings after an eviction, plus you will need somewhere to move them to. You are far better off getting assistance and determining an appropriate outcome before your landlord evicts you. The LA DPSS has a number of programs that are designed to help you stay in your current rental home if that is a long-term possibility. Since you are currently working, it appears that you would be able to afford to stay. However, I know nothing about your other bills or debts, which makes it difficult to provide much direction for you. That is where a case manager at DPSS can help you. They can review your monthly budget with you so that you know exactly how much you will have left over each month.