HUD Approves L.A. Housing Voucher Changes

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved changes requested by the city of Los Angeles to its housing voucher program that will streamline the process for accessing affordable housing in an effort to slow the city’s growing housing crisis.

“In light of the extraordinary crisis of homelessness that exists in Los Angeles, HUD is allowing the Los Angeles housing authorities to modify a rule that too often delays people’s access to the assistance they need to move from the streets or temporary housing into healthy, stable, affordable homes,” said HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge.

According to a HUD press release, “The waiver that HUD has approved will allow the Los Angeles housing authorities to issue housing vouchers to people experiencing homelessness, and then verify their income via independent, third-party sources within 60 days. The prior requirement requires that income be verified before the agency may issue a housing voucher.”

The press release adds, “Since the beginning of 2020, HUD has awarded approximately 7,400 new Housing Choice Vouchers to HACLA and LACDA. These include some 5,300 Emergency Housing Vouchers that come with substantial regulatory flexibility to facilitate their use by people experiencing homelessness.”