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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE JOINT MEETING: GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL AND
GLENDALE HOUSING AUTHORITY
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Program Proposals for Lower Income Rental/Utility Housing Assistance
1. City Council Motion Approving Preliminary Selection of Housing Assistance Programs and Authorizing Staff to Proceed with Preliminary Program Planning for Selected Housing Assistance Programs Using Anticipated LACAHSA Funding, Pending Final Funding Approval and Compliance with LACAHSA Requirements.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Item
Approved for August 19, 2025 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NOTE: This report presents a set of targeted program proposals for City Council consideration to address housing affordability and stability for Glendale renters. Since the original publication and continuance at the August 19, 2025 meeting, staff has received further direction from LACHASA regarding funding. Based on these updates and additional internal analysis of eligibility and compliance requirements, staff has made significant revisions to the report, which are included in a new Attachment 6. All other elements of this report remain the same.
If Council wishes to use LACHASA funds for any assistance program, staff recommends reviewing Attachment 6. If Council chooses to use general funds, the original report remains applicable.
The original report outlines three primary program concepts:: Housing Utility Assistance Program (in partnership with Glendale Water & Power), Low-Income Family Employment Rental Assistance Program (LIFERAP), Temporary Rental Assistance Program, with the option for a small-scale pilot. The new addendum refocuses the use of LACHASA funding.
Instead of presenting three separate programs, it proposes a more balanced, targeted, and efficient approach designed to better align with funding requirements and maximize {{section.number}}{{item.number}}2
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impact.
This report presents a set of targeted program proposals for City Council consideration to address housing affordability and stability for Glendale renters. The proposals respond to prior Council direction to focus on seniors, persons with disabilities, low-income households, and other high-need populations, while leveraging upcoming funding opportunities from the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA) and potential City of Glendale.
Three primary programs are proposed:
•Housing Utility Assistance Program – In partnership with Glendale Water & Power (GWP), this program would expand or enhance the existing Glendale Care discount for low-income renters, offer new benefits for targeted groups, or provide a one-time arrears option to prevent shutoffs for qualifying households behind on GWP bills.
•Low-Income Family Employment Rental Assistance Program (LIFERAP) – A rental subsidy paired with case management and vocational support for working families with children, proposed as a 6-month rolling model. •Temporary Rental Assistance Program – A short-term, flexible rental subsidy aimed at preventing immediate eviction, which could also cover back-due rent in full or part, and mediate with landlords to keep tenants housed.
Council may also consider funding a small-scale pilot program for a very specific, underserved population, such as low-income households with disabled children or recently homeless seniors.
Multiple funding allocation scenarios are provided to show how the anticipated $2.1 million in LACAHSA Renter Protection and Homelessness Prevention (RPHP) funding could be distributed across these programs, including options that emphasize broad coverage, targeted assistance, or a balanced mix. Final allocations may be adjusted to comply with LACAHSA requirements once funding terms are finalized.
RECOMMENDATION
That City Council review the proposed Housing Utility Assistance Program, LIFERAP, Temporary Rental Assistance Program, and optional small-scale pilot initiative, and provide preliminary direction on which programs to advance for implementation.
Council may choose to:
•Approve funding for one or more programs, with allocations determined based on priorities for reach, target population, and impact.
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•Direct staff to design a blended approach that funds multiple programs at varying levels to balance immediate eviction prevention, long-term stability, and broad utility cost relief.
•Provide preliminary approval contingent on final LACAHSA funding terms, with the understanding that program design and scale may be adjusted to comply with any additional requirements (e.g., mandated allocations for legal services).
Staff further recommends maintaining flexibility in all program designs to allow adjustments in response to demand, funding constraints, and evolving community needs.
ANALYSIS
In June 2025, staff presented a comprehensive report outlining existing rental assistance efforts in Glendale and a range of conceptual program ideas for Council consideration. The report detailed existing programs both federally funded and locally developed initiatives, including Section 8, the Monthly Housing Subsidy Program (MHSP), LIFERAP, Low Income Student Rental Assistance Program (LISRAP), and Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), along with an assessment of current gaps in coverage and unmet needs among Glendale’s renter population.
As part of that discussion, staff introduced multiple program concepts to address housing instability, including short-term rental subsidies, eviction prevention tools, relocation assistance for tenants in exempt units, and creative community-based models. While Council did not take action to fund a specific program at that time, members provided valuable guidance to help refine the City’s approach going forward.
Specifically, Council expressed interest in:
•Programs that target seniors and individuals with disabilities, particularly those living on fixed incomes and facing high rent burdens;
•Assistance models that address utility affordability and could be implemented in partnership with Glendale Water & Power (GWP);
•Opportunities to build on the success of prior local programs, such as LIFERAP.
Staff were directed to return with more fully developed program models that reflect this feedback, included estimated budgets and implementation plans, and provided options that could be implemented either through outside funding or City resources.
Program Proposals
The proposed programs include:
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•Housing Utility Assistance Program
A utility subsidy program in partnership with GWP to help reduce housing-related costs for low-income renters, (Attachment 1). The program builds on the existing Glendale Care discount program and may include:
oExpanded participation by serving more households;
oIncreased monthly bill credits for existing recipients; oNew benefit for high-need renters (e.g., seniors, persons with disabilities); and
oOne-time arrears assistance to cover overdue GWP bills for tenants at risk of shutoff.
•Low Income Family Employment Rental Assistance Program (LIFERAP) A rental assistance and case management program for low-income, working Glendale families with children. LIFERAP supports housing stability and economic self-sufficiency through vocational services, financial education, and monthly trainings, (Attachment 2).
•Temporary Rental Assistance Program
A flexible, short-term rental subsidy aimed at eviction prevention and emergency relief. This program can assist renters who have received eviction notices or are in the process of displacement. Assistance may include payment of back-due rent, or full/partial coverage of rent. The structure can be fixed or adaptable based on need and funding, (Attachment 3).
As part of its overall funding strategy, Council may also consider setting aside a modest amount of funding to support a very limited, highly targeted pilot program. This initiative could focus on a specific, underserved population—such as low-income households with disabled children, recently homeless seniors, or renters facing acute hardships— and provide tailored support on a trial basis.
The goal of this option would be to test a small-scale model that addresses a niche need not fully covered by the broader programs. Council could determine the scale, eligibility criteria, and form of assistance, with flexibility to expand or revise the approach based on results and available resources.
Council may choose to fund any single program or a combination of the above, {{section.number}}{{item.number}}5
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allocating available dollars according to its goals. A blended approach can allow the City to address both immediate and long-term needs, reach diverse populations, and remain adaptable as program demand evolves.
If LACAHSA funds are used, all selected programs must comply with LACAHSA guidelines. LACAHSA-funded benefits must be provided in consecutive months, and oversight and auditing requirements may necessitate additional City staffing. LACAHSA may impose specific eligibility, reporting, or program design requirements that could limit or alter how these funds are used. As a result, some or all of the proposed programs may need to be modified to comply with final LACAHSA guidelines. Council direction should therefore be considered preliminary and flexible until funding terms are fully confirmed.
A cost and scale comparison of all program options is provided in Attachment 4 to support Council's decision-making.
LACAHSA Funding and Program Integration Opportunities
The recently approved LACAHSA funding presents a critical opportunity to launch new or enhanced support programs for vulnerable Glendale residents. Based on FY 2025– 26 estimates, Glendale is projected to receive approximately $2,105,698 under the RPHP category. An additional $356,167 may be available for Technical Assistance (TA) to support program administration and staffing. These allocations are distinct from other Measure A funding streams and will be distributed through a budget process coordinated with LACAHSA.
It is important to note that LACAHSA funding is not yet finalized and may come with additional requirements once fully approved. For example, current discussions at the County level include the possibility of requiring jurisdictions to allocate a fixed percentage of funding (e.g., 20%) toward attorney or legal services for tenants. While neither the percentage nor the requirement itself has been finalized, such conditions could affect the total amount available for direct assistance or alter program design. Staff will monitor developments and update Council as more information becomes available.
Council can provide preliminary approval for these programs now, with the understanding that final funding allocations or program details may need to be adjusted if LACAHSA requirements are adopted. Staff can begin work on any approved programs immediately, keeping flexibility in mind to ensure compliance with final funding conditions.
Funding Allocation Options
If Council elects to use the anticipated $2.1 million in LACAHSA RPHP funding, the allocation can be divided among multiple programs to maximize impact. The three primary programs under consideration include:
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•Housing Utility Assistance Program (including the arrears option for back-due GWP bills)
•LIFERAP (modified to a 6-month rolling cohort model)
•Temporary Rental Assistance Program (short-term, high-impact aid for eviction prevention)
Additionally, Council may choose to reserve funds for a small-scale pilot program targeting a specific high-need group (e.g., low-income households with disabled children, recently homeless seniors).
The chart below illustrates three example allocation scenarios using the $2.1 million funding total. These examples are intended to show the range of possible approaches and do not represent staff recommendations. Final program mix and funding levels may be adjusted based on Council priorities, demand, and any final LACAHSA funding requirements. We also have accompanying graphs illustrating these scenarios included as Attachment 5.
Conclusion
The programs presented in this report offer Council multiple pathways to address Glendale’s housing affordability challenges, building on the City’s history of targeted, high-impact assistance. By leveraging LACAHSA resources alongside potential local funding, the City can provide meaningful relief to low-income renters, prevent avoidable evictions, and support housing stability for vulnerable populations. $520,000 $450,000
$780,000
$195,000
$455,000
$390,000
$325,000
$780,000
$325,000
$330,000
$195,000 $336,000$130,000
$420,000 $420,000 $420,000 $420,000
380,000 380,000 380,000 380,000
$0
$500,000
$1,000,000
$1,500,000
$2,000,000
$2,500,000
Scenario A Scenario B Scenario C Scenario D
GWP Utility Assistance Temporary Rental Assistance LIFERAP Small-Scale Pilot Program Attorney Services Staffing
LACAHSA $2 M Funding Allocation Scenarios
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Whether implemented individually or in combination, these programs can be scaled to meet Council priorities and funding availability. With preliminary direction, staff can begin program development immediately, incorporating flexibility to adapt to final funding conditions and community feedback.
It is also important to note that the RPHP category discussed here is only one component of Glendale’s total anticipated LACAHSA allocation. Additional funding streams will be available for affordable housing development, homelessness services, and related initiatives. Council’s decisions on the programs in this report should be considered within the broader context of these other funding opportunities, as a coordinated approach across all categories will provide the greatest impact on housing stability and community well-being.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
Stakeholder input was not sought during the preparation of this report.
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact will depend on the program(s) selected by City Council, the scale of implementation, and the final funding source(s). If funded through the anticipated $2.1 million in LACAHSA Renter Protection and Homelessness Prevention allocations, program costs could be covered without drawing on the City’s General Fund.
Example allocation scenarios included in Attachment 5 illustrate how this funding could be divided among the Housing Utility Assistance Program, LIFERAP, the Temporary Rental Assistance Program, and an optional small-scale pilot program. Depending on Council’s selected approach, direct assistance could range from serving several thousand households with modest monthly benefits to assisting a smaller number of households with higher-value, more intensive subsidies.
If LACAHSA funding is not used or is insufficient due to final requirements, Council could choose to use local funds to fully or partially implement these programs. Staff will return with a detailed budget and funding plan once program selections and funding sources are confirmed.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
The preliminary selection of housing assistance programs is not a project “approval” under CEQA because it does not commit the City to a definite course of action with respect to any project that may have a significant effect on the environment. Further, the preliminary selection is not a “project” for CEQA purposes as the housing assistance programs would only be government funding mechanisms that do not involve commitment to any specific project which may have a significant effect on the environment, CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(4).
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CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Alternative 1: City Council may reject the proposed program options and direct staff to explore alternative program designs or funding strategies.
Alternative 2: City Council may elect to approve only certain programs or modify the funding allocations proposed by staff.
Alternative 4: City Council may elect to consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Bradley Calvert, Director of Community Development
Prepared by:
Peter Zovak, Assistant Director of Community Development Sipan Zadoryan, Housing Supervisor
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1: Program Proposal - Housing Utility Assistance Program Attachment 2: Low Income Family Employment & Rental Assistance Program Attachment 3: Program Proposal - Temporary Rental Assistance Program Attachment 4: Program Comparison
Attachment 5: Example Funding Allocation Scenarios
Attachment 6: Addendum To Report On Program Proposals For Lower Income Rental/Utility Housing Assistance