City of Long Beach Launches Older Adult Shallow Subsidy Program to Prevent Homelessness Among Older Adults

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PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach has launched the Older Adult Shallow Subsidy Program, a new homelessness prevention initiative that will provide rental assistance and housing support to low-income older adults on fixed incomes. Funded through a $1.8 million investment, the program is expected to serve approximately 150 households and is part of Upstream LB, the City's coordinated homelessness prevention strategy focused on strengthening housing stability and reducing displacement among vulnerable residents.

"Older adults living on fixed incomes are increasingly vulnerable to housing instability as rents continue to rise across the region," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "This program reflects our commitment to preventing homelessness before it happens by helping older adults remain safely housed while connecting them to long-term housing and supportive services."

Through the program, eligible participants will receive approximately $400 to $500 per month in rental assistance to help reduce rent burden to a sustainable level while pursuing long-term housing solutions, including affordable housing opportunities. Participants will also receive light-touch case management, including quarterly check-ins to assess ongoing assistance needs and referrals to supportive services and other resources.

The Older Adult Shallow Subsidy Program is open to households that meet all the following criteria:

• Have at least one household member who is age 62 or older, or age 55 or older with a disability
• Live in non-subsidized rental housing in Long Beach
• Have a household income at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
• Be experiencing severe rent burden, defined as spending 70% or more of household income on rent
• Demonstrate the ability to sustainably pay rent with shallow subsidy assistance

Applications will be accepted until all available subsidy slots are filled. Eligible residents may apply online or in person. Applications are available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog. Visit longbeach.gov/olderadultrent for application details and locations. Early application is encouraged, as funds are limited.

The program will prioritize households whose existing rental assistance or housing subsidy has expired or is scheduled to expire within the next 60 days, including participants in voucher programs, rapid rehousing programs, homelessness prevention programs and other rental assistance initiatives where financial support is ending. Additional prioritization factors may include urgency of eviction risk, disabling conditions, fixed-income status, prior experiences of homelessness and other vulnerabilities.

Approximately 75% of the program's funding comes from state resources secured through the advocacy of Sen. Lena Gonzalez, supplemented by Los Angeles County Measure A and state Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) grant funds. Eligible participants may receive up to $12,000 in assistance over a two-year period, with additional support potentially available in extenuating circumstances.

"Preventing homelessness requires upstream solutions that stabilize households before they enter crisis," said Alison King, Director of Health and Human Services. "This Program will provide meaningful support to older adults facing severe rent burden while helping connect them to long-term housing stability and supportive services."

The Older Adult Shallow Subsidy program was first announced in April alongside the launch of the Long Beach Renter Aid Program as part of Upstream LB. Supported by Los Angeles County Measure A funding administered through the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency's Renter Protection and Homelessness Prevention Program, Upstream LB represents the City's largest long-term investment towards homeless prevention. Upstream LB provides resources to help residents remain stably housed, including renter assistance, ongoing support for older adults and a youth homelessness prevention program.

Residents interested in learning more about the program may email [email protected] for updates and additional information.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. More information about the Long Beach Health Department is available at longbeach.gov/health and on Instagram, Facebook and X.

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