Under the Section 8 Program, the LACDA subsidizes housing costs, so that low-income families can pay an affordable percentage of their monthly adjusted income towards rent.  The LACDA encourages families to find rental units that are affordable based on their income.  The payment standard will be used to calculate how much the LACDA contributes to the rent payment. 

If the unit’s gross rent (rent plus utilities) is equal to or below the payment standard, the family’s contribution is based on 30% of their income, and the LACDA subsidizes the balance.  If the unit’s gross rent exceeds the payment standard, the family will need to contribute a larger percent of their income towards rent. In a family’s first year in a contracted unit, their rent portion is not allowed to exceed 40% of their monthly adjusted income. For an explanation of how the rent is calculated please click on the link Rent Calculation Explanation.