Livermore Housing & Homeless Assistance: Grants, Scholarships And Section 8
The City of Livermore knows that even with down-payment assistance programs many families are still unable to purchase a home. That’s why Livermore has come up with a variety of Rental Assistance Programs.
Keep in mind that programs offering direct financial assistance to households for the payment of monthly rental costs are highly competitive in the Bay Area, and that the amount of assistance available is limited.
Section 8 Program In Livermore, the Section 8 program is administered by the Livermore Housing Authority (LHA) located at 3203 Leahy Way, Livermore. The LHA currently receives funding to subsidize rents for approximately 750 households in Livermore. Most of the Section 8 assistance provided by the LHA is in the form of certificates and vouchers. Under the certificate program, the tenant pays 30% of the gross monthly household income for rent, while the balance is subsidized up to a maximum set by the government. Voucher beneficiaries pay a slightly higher rent, but the amount of subsidy can also be increased to cover a higher total rent.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program In the early 1970s the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) created the Section 8 Program. The Livermore Housing Authority administers the program within the Livermore City limits by contracting with private landlords to make rental housing available for families with incomes at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. The Livermore Housing Authority makes rental payment to owners, performing annual inspections, and conducts tenant income re-examinations.
Rental Assistance Program (RAP) ECHO Housing, a Bay Area nonprofit agency, also provides a limited Rental Assistance Program (RAP). The program provides assistance with move-in costs or helps residents with delinquent rent due to a temporary financial setback. ECHO helps by arranging a guaranteed repayment contract between the tenant and the landlord. Financial assistance is subject to the availability of funds.
Public Housing – Leahy Square Originally built as military housing, Leahy Square was converted to public housing in 1944. Tenants pay 30% of their income towards rent. The Livermore Housing Authority is responsible for the management and maintenance of the property.
Affordable and Transitional Housing Transitional housing units are for women with children [who] are homeless or have been in a battered situation. Candidates are selected from shelters, and must complete a training program at the shelter. There is a contract for up to years. A transitional tenant must set goals and work towards finding private housing within two years.
Tri-Valley Housing Scholarship Program The City of Livermore, in collaboration with the City of Pleasanton and Tri-City Homeless Coalition, provides limited temporary rental assistance through the Tri-Valley Housing Scholarship Program to participants in job training programs. This program, which was begun in 1998, provides monthly rent subsidies to households that are homeless or at risk of being homeless. Subsidies are provided while the head of household is undergoing job training and are gradually phased out after employment is secured.
