This Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program amendment is available for a 30-day public review and comment period from May 10, 2023 to June 9,2023.  Citizens wishing to submit written comments during the public review and comment period may mail them, postmarked no later than June 9, 2023 to the following:

Los Angeles County Development Authority
Community Development Division-Grants Management Unit
700 W. Main Street
Alhambra, CA 91801
Attention: Jenny Salazar, Development Specialist

You may also email comments no later than (June 9,2023) to Ms. Jenny Salazar at jenny.salazar@lacda.org. 

Amendment:

This is an amendment to the PLHA Program 5-Year Plan 2019-2023 for the Los Angeles Urban County to enable the County of Los Angeles (County) to administer PLHA funding from the California Department of Housing and Community Development made available through the revenue generated through the $75 recordation fee on real estate transactions established by the Building Homes and Jobs Act.

The funding was awarded to the County under the PLHA Program through the Building Homes and Jobs Act.  The County of Los Angeles is an entitlement jurisdiction and is eligible to receive an estimated $66,150,756, over the five-year funding period.

The amendment reallocates $11,025,126 in County Year 1 PLHA funds and planned to be used for the following activities:

A total of $10,473,870 to fund services for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness and a total of $551,256 will be retained by LACDA to administer the program. The services will be provided by the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) and the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA). The program provides the following services:

1. Legal Services

Limited-scope legal representation, which may include but not be limited to one-on-one legal consultations, document preparation in response to a termination of tenancy notice, and out-of-court dispute resolution or negotiation services

Full-scope legal representation, which includes comprehensive legal services to prevent or resolve an eviction case, representation in court, and active defense against landlord harassment and retaliation

2. Short-term Rental Assistance

Financial aid to qualifying tenants to help them stabilize their housing before, during, or after the conclusion of an eviction case.

3. LACDA will deploy staff to assist Los Angeles County residents with the following tasks which shall include but not be limited to:  collecting necessary documentation to secure rental assistance, identify possible housing options, assist clients with viewing apartments and completing applications, negotiations with landlords, and assisting with move in needs.

Funding for Year 2 and beyond will include activities for predevelopment and development, acquisition, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable housing, matching portions of funds placed into Local and Regional Housing Trust Funds, assisting persons who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, accessibility modifications in Lower-income Owner-occupied housing, efforts to acquire and rehabilitate foreclosed or vacant homes and apartments, and homeownership opportunities.

Background on the Five-Year Plan: 

The Los Angeles County PLHA Five-Year Plan contains the County’s strategy to carry out activities that will increase the affordable housing supply for households through the following:

1. Providing loans for the predevelopment, development, site acquisition, and construction/permanent financing for affordable multifamily housing for households with incomes at or below 60% AMI.

2. Providing loans for the predevelopment, development, and rehabilitation of affordable rental and ownership housing including Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) for households up to 120 percent of AMI, or 150 percent of AMI in high-cost areas.

3. Providing matching funds to the Local and Regional Housing Trust to fund and finance the planning and construction of homeless housing, and extremely low, very low, and low-income housing projects.

4. Assisting persons experiencing or at risk of homelessness through rental assistance programs, providing rapid rehousing, operating and capital costs for navigation centers and emergency shelters; and services through the County's Eviction Defense Program by providing low-income renters earning up to 30% of the AMI and at risk of becoming homeless due to a pending eviction, with services and resources to aid them in maintaining rental housing.  Allocation Year 2019 is the only funding that can be utilized for eviction defense. Allocations for years 2020 and beyond may not be used for eviction defense.

5. Providing accessibility modification grants for lower-income owner-occupied housing.

6. Providing funds to acquire and rehabilitate foreclosed homes/apartments.

7. Providing down payment assistance loans to low-moderate income households to buy an affordable home.

The PLHA Five-Year Plan is consistent with the programs set forth by the Los Angeles County to prioritize activities and investments that will increase the supply of affordable housing for Los Angeles County resident.

The Los Angeles Urban County includes all the unincorporated areas of the County and the following 46 cities: