HACLA Payment Standards 2026 — Los Angeles Section 8 Calculator
Renters in Los Angeles, CA often search for the Housing Choice Voucher program — commonly called Section 8. Vouchers help very low-income households afford rent in private housing. In this city or town, HUD rules are usually applied through a Public Housing Authority (PHA) serving Los Angeles County.
Expanded local guide
Section 8 in Los Angeles — PHAs, Waiting Lists & Local Programs
Local Section 8 overview for Los Angeles renters: which housing authorities serve the area, current waiting list status, payment standards, and how to estimate voucher help.
Updated May 26, 2026
Housing Authorities Serving Los Angeles
Los Angeles has two main Section 8 agencies, depending on where you live:
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HACLA (Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles) — serves residents within the City of Los Angeles boundaries. HACLA administers both standard Housing Choice Vouchers and specialized programs like Homeless Section 8 (HS8) in partnership with LA County’s Department of Mental Health.
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LACDA (Los Angeles County Development Authority) — serves unincorporated LA County and participating cities outside city limits, providing rental assistance to over 28,000 low-income families. Apply or check your status through the HARP applicant portal.
Not sure which agency serves your address? 211LA’s Section 8 referral page can help you identify the right PHA by ZIP code.
Income Limits & Rent in Los Angeles County
HUD income limits for Section 8 are set by county or metropolitan area, not by city boundary. Los Angeles County has its own set of limits that change annually and scale by household size.
Key points for LA renters:
- Your household income must generally fall below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for LA County, with at least 75% of new vouchers targeted to households below 30% AMI.
- HACLA uses Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMRs) to set tiered payment standards by ZIP code, so the maximum rent a voucher covers varies across neighborhoods.
- Higher-cost areas like Mar Vista, Silver Lake, and North Hollywood have higher payment caps than South LA or Compton, which helps voucher holders access more neighborhoods.
Check your estimated eligibility and voucher amounts →
Waiting List Status
Both HACLA and LACDA maintain long waiting lists due to extremely high demand:
- HACLA — average wait around 24 months. The citywide list opens via rare lottery windows (the last was the first in 13 years). HACLA lottery announcement
- LACDA — average wait around 27 months. Track your application through the HARP portal.
- Specialized programs — Homeless-focused vouchers (HS8, EHV) use LAHSA’s Coordinated Entry System and may move faster for people already connected to homeless services.
Tips: Apply to both HACLA and LACDA if eligible, check for open lists at AffordableHousingOnline, and keep your contact info updated to avoid removal.
Additional Affordable Housing Resources in LA
Beyond standard Section 8 vouchers, Los Angeles offers:
- Prop HHH supportive housing — $1.2B in bonds building up to 10,000 units for people experiencing homelessness.
- LACDA project-based vouchers — assistance tied to specific affordable buildings.
- LAHD housing programs — homebuyer assistance (LIPA, MIPA), accessible housing, and lead hazard remediation.
- LACAHSA / Measure A funding — a new countywide agency with $200M+ for affordable housing production and emergency rental assistance.
Read our full deep-dive: Section 8 Neighborhoods in Los Angeles →
HUD income limits & Fair Market Rents — Los Angeles
Official HUD figures for Los Angeles County (area: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA HUD Metro FMR Area). Local PHA payment standards are often 90–110% of FMR.
Annual income limits (FY 2026)
Very low income (~50% AMI) and low income (~80% AMI) by household size. Section 8 typically prioritizes very low-income households.
| Household size | Very low (50%) | Low (80%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $58,300 | $93,300 |
| 2 | $66,650 | $106,600 |
| 3 | $74,950 | $119,950 |
| 4 | $83,300 | $133,250 |
| 5 | $89,950 | $143,900 |
| 6 | $96,600 | $154,600 |
| 7 | $103,250 | $165,250 |
| 8 | $110,000 | $175,900 |
Monthly Fair Market Rents (FY 2027)
Benchmark gross rent (rent + utilities) by unit size. Use the ZIP calculator for Small Area FMRs or an estimated voucher amount.
This area uses Small Area FMRs by ZIP. County-level FMR rows may be blank — use the calculator with your ZIP code.
| Bedrooms | FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $2,151 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,402 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,964 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,760 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,208 |
Source: HUD USER API (income limits & FMR). Educational estimate only; not affiliated with HUD or any PHA. Reference fiscal year: 2026.
Los Angeles Section 8 Rent Calculator & Voucher Estimate
Because Los Angeles may sit in a multi-county HUD area, use our Section 8 rent calculator to check your county, HUD income limits, and estimated tenant rent share before you contact a housing authority.
Calculate Los Angeles rent share & voucherHousing Choice Voucher program
A Section 8 voucher in the Los Angeles area does not pay your full rent. You pay a tenant share (often about 30% of adjusted income), and the voucher covers part of the rent up to the local payment standard, which is based on HUD Fair Market Rents for Los Angeles County.
Most PHAs near Los Angeles run waiting lists that open only periodically. Eligibility depends on income, household size, and local preferences — not on applying first online alone.
- Project-based Section 8 — Project-based Section 8 — subsidy stays with specific buildings (different application path).
- Tenant-based vouchers (HCV) — Tenant-based vouchers (HCV) — you find a unit; the voucher moves with you in many cases after initial lease-up.
- Local preferences — Local preferences — veterans, elderly, disabled, or working families may get priority on some lists.
Section 8 guides for Los Angeles renters
These guides explain vouchers, income limits, and rent math for households in Los Angeles and across California. Each links to our calculator so you can run numbers for your ZIP.
How Section 8 HAP Is Calculated (Tenant Share vs Owner)
HAP is min(payment standard, gross rent) minus TTP. See family rent to owner, utility reimbursement, the 90–110% FMR band, and what this calculator can and cannot decide.
RentHow Much Section 8 Pays by Bedroom Size
There is no national dollar amount for a 1-, 2-, or 3-bedroom voucher. Family unit size, the PHA payment standard, and your TTP decide HAP — plus the 40% first-lease rule.
PHAFind Your Public Housing Authority (PHA) for Section 8
Learn what a PHA is, how to find the housing authority for your city or county, and where to apply for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list.
ApplicationHow to Apply for Section 8 — Waiting Lists & PHA Steps
Step-by-step overview of Section 8 waiting lists, PHA applications, and what to do while you wait for a voucher.
Voucher programHousing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) Explained
What the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is, how PHAs run it, and how vouchers differ from public housing.
RentSection 8 Rent Calculator — How Much Will I Pay With a Voucher?
Estimate your Section 8 tenant share (TTP), payment standard, and maximum voucher subsidy. Includes rent above payment standard examples.
Income limitsSection 8 Income Limits Explained by Household Size
HUD very low and low income limits determine Section 8 eligibility. See how limits vary by ZIP, county, metro area, and family size.
BasicsHow Section 8 Housing Works — Vouchers, PHAs & What You Pay (2026)
How Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers work in 2026 — who qualifies, how PHAs issue vouchers, how payment standards are calculated, and exactly what renters pay vs what the subsidy covers.
Apply near Los Angeles
- Confirm income limits with the calculator.
- Find your PHA in our PHA Directory or the HUD contacts tool (Los Angeles County).
- Join the waiting list when the PHA opens applications — many lists close for years at a time.
- When selected, find a rental at or below the payment standard and complete inspection.
Ready to apply? Download the PDF application checklist before your appointment.
FAQ — Section 8 in Los Angeles
Can I use Section 8 in Los Angeles, CA?
Many renters in Los Angeles can apply if they meet HUD income limits and the local PHA has an open waiting list. Vouchers are portable in some cases, but you must apply through the housing authority that serves your area — often tied to Los Angeles County.
How much rent will I pay with a voucher near Los Angeles?
Your minimum share is the Total Tenant Payment (TTP) — typically the greater of 30% of adjusted monthly income, 10% of gross income, or a small PHA minimum. Use our calculator with your ZIP to see an estimate for Los Angeles County.
Where do I apply for Section 8 in Los Angeles?
Applications are handled by your local Public Housing Authority, not this website. Search HUD's PHA contact directory for authorities serving Los Angeles County, then follow their waiting list instructions.
Does Los Angeles have its own income limits?
HUD publishes income limits and Fair Market Rents by county or metro area. Los Angeles uses the limits for Los Angeles County. Enter your ZIP in our calculator to pull the current HUD figures for your household size.
Do medical bills lower Section 8 rent in Los Angeles?
If your household is elderly (62+) or disabled, HUD may deduct unreimbursed medical costs above 10% of annual income, plus a family allowance. That reduces the adjusted income used for your tenant share (TTP). Run a Los Angeles ZIP in the calculator; the PHA serving Los Angeles County decides which receipts count.