Los Angeles Housing Authority

In Los Angeles, families and senior citizens with low incomes have waited for three years to apply for scarce federal housing subsidies known as Section-8 certificates. At least 175,000 city households qualify, although federal funds meet but a tiny sliver of the huge need. Very few new certificates are currently available--only 3,500--but all who qualify deserve a shot at what may be their best hope for a truly affordable apartment.

The Los Angeles Housing Authority on Monday reopened enrollment in the popular Section 8 rental subsidy program for the poor, and officials said response from people hoping to qualify was light but was expected to grow as word spread. Low-income people who want to be considered for a Section 8 subsidy can call a hot line at the Housing Authority or get an application at any Housing Authority office, city-run senior center, city library, City Council field office or county welfare office.

Los Angeles' low-income housing agency, the target of a federal audit after a $24-million operating loss last year, has made significant strides toward improvement, a federal official said. "A year ago, things were in crisis here," said Housing and Urban Development Assistant Secretary Michael Liu, who delivered the progress report during the dedication of a public housing community center in Boyle Heights on Thursday. "HUD is very happy with what you have [done] here with the Housing Authority."

Thursday was supposed to mark a new beginning for the dilapidated Pico-Aliso public housing project in Boyle Heights, a collection of nondescript World War II-era apartment buildings in one of the most crime-ridden neighborhoods in Los Angeles. But as about 100 residents and dignitaries watched, a bulldozer poised to begin demolition work did not move.

The head of the Los Angeles Housing Authority's Board of Commissioners said Tuesday that she will resign to pursue other interests. Board Chairwoman Ozie Gonzaque's decision to step down Oct. 2 comes as Mayor James K. Hahn, who is gearing up for reelection, has moved to replace or reshuffle a dozen other city commissioners midway through his four-year term.

Without admitting any wrongdoing, the Los Angeles Housing Authority has agreed to establish a $1.3-million fund to compensate Latino and African American tenants at four city housing projects who say they have been subjected to discrimination and abuse.

Tens of thousands of the poor in Los Angeles swamped phone lines Tuesday while 2,000 more lined up at senior citizen centers after housing officials reopened enrollment in the popular Section 8 federal rent subsidy program for the first time in three years.

Faced with an estimated $13.4-million shortfall, the Los Angeles County Housing Authority is reducing the amount of monthly assistance it offers low-income families whose rents are subsidized by the federal government. The move means some poor families will eventually pay higher rents or possibly lose their housing. The change in the Section 8 program, a federal initiative administered by the county, will be phased in. Beginning Sept.

The Los Angeles County Grand Jury released a report Monday finding that a massive reorganization at the Los Angeles Housing Authority is generally working well but has created employee morale problems and has not improved security in the crime-ridden projects. The report said the authority's efforts to centralize management at the historically troubled agency were "a positive direction" that will help desegregate the 21 projects and improve maintenance.

Overwhelmed by more than 350,000 phone calls made by poor residents scrambling to enroll in a federal rent subsidy program, the Los Angeles Housing Authority announced Thursday that applicants will be given a second chance to sign up in January.