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Housing Support

South Pasadena is a community of over 26,000 residents with around 10,500 occupied housing units. According to the US Census Bureau's 2021 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, about 52.5% of households are renters. With the cost of housing rising considerably in recent years, housing affordability, stability, and equity have grown as central community issues.

Do You Need Financial or Legal Assistance?

If you currently rent or are seeking to rent in South Pasadena, you may be eligible for assistance. Housing voucher programs to support South Pasadena tenants are administered by Los Angeles County.

If you have questions about landlord-tenant laws or need legal assistance, please refer to the legal resources and organizations listed here(PDF, 168KB).(PDF, 168KB)

Housing Choice Voucher Program (Formerly Section 8)

The Housing Choice Voucher Program provides a rent subsidy to qualifying families and individuals based on income eligibility, allowing renters to choose where they want to live. Generally, the voucher subsidizes rent so that a household does not pay more than 30% of their income on housing. These vouchers are provided through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and are administered through local agencies. Under California Civil Code §12920, housing providers may not reject rental applicants because they would pay rent using public assistance or other "nontraditional" sources of income, which include vouchers. If you have experienced housing discrimination because you receive a voucher or other public assistance, contact the Housing Rights Center .

For South Pasadena, the administering agency is the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA). Its website provides information on eligibility and applications. Please be aware that the program has a waiting list. New names are only added to the waiting list during open enrollment periods.

Information for property owners:

It is illegal to refuse an application from a prospective tenant or treat a prospective or current tenant differently in any other way because they use a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV). For more information, see this FAQ on Fair Housing and Source of Income(PDF, 568KB) from the State of California Civil Rights Department or contact the Housing Rights Center.

For more information on participating in the HCV Program, contact the L os Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) at (626) 262-4510 or visit LACDA's website.

LACDA HCV Program Brochure for Owners(PDF, 3MB)

Housing is Key Program - Mortgage Assistance

California’s Housing is Key program was established to provide rental assistance and mortgage relief to Californians affected by COVID-19. In accordance with Senate Bill 115, applications are no longer open for the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program. However, the California Mortgage Relief Program is still accepting applications. Click here to learn more.

First-time Homeowner Programs

The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) offers a variety of loan programs to help you purchase a home, including first mortgage programs and down payment assistance programs. For more information on available programs, visit CalHFA's website .

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) administers the CalHome Program, which provides grants to local public agencies and nonprofit corporations for first-time homebuyer and housing rehabilitation assistance, homebuyer counseling and technical assistance activities to enable low- and very low-income households to become or remain homeowners.

CalHome does not lend directly to individuals. As part of HCD's 2023 Homeownership Super Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), the application deadline for CalHome funds was February 28, 2023 for general applicants or December 20, 2023 for tribal applicants.

How does the City Plan to Address the Community's Housing Challenges?

In May 2023, the City of South Pasadena adopted the housing element (Chapter 6 of the General Plan) for the 2021-2029 planning period. The City’s housing element must comply with State regulations that seek to expand housing supply statewide, including affordable housing, accessory dwelling units and market rate housing, to meet our current and future needs.

Click here to learn more about the housing element update.