PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach will open the application process for qualified residents on March 15, 2023, for its First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program (Program), which will provide approximately 100 eligible families with up to $20,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. Prior to that, during the month of February, the City will host a series of orientation sessions to help residents verify if they meet the eligibility requirements.

“Down payment assistance helped me to become a first-time homebuyer in Long Beach more than a decade ago. It provided me the economic and housing stability to put down roots and raise a family,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “However, families today are facing more barriers than ever in achieving the dream of homeownership. Now is the time to restore this important program and give Long Beach families an opportunity to buy their first home in our great city.”

Facilitated by the Development Services Department, the grant Program will assist low- and moderate-income households traditionally underrepresented in homeownership with purchasing their first home and building multi-generational wealth. Applicants must be first-time homebuyers presently residing within a federal Community Development Block Grant designated census tract in Long Beach and meet other requirements to qualify.

Prior to signing up to attend an orientation session, residents are encouraged to confirm they are eligible to apply for the Program by completing a pre-application self-screening form. Full eligibility requirements and guidelines are listed on the Program website. The meetings will be held virtually and in person, as listed below, and will feature an overview of the eligibility criteria and application process. Interpretation services will be available in Spanish and Khmer during the presentations.

• Tuesday, Feb. 7, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
  • Billie Jean King Main Library, 200 W. Broadway
  • RSVP online to attend

• Wednesday, Feb. 15, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
  • Virtual meeting held via Zoom
  • RSVP online to receive meeting link and dial-in details

• Thursday, Feb. 16, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
  • Bret Harte Neighborhood Library, 1595 W. Willow St.
  • RSVP online to attend

• Tuesday, Feb. 21, 5 to 6 p.m.
  • Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, 5870 Atlantic Ave.
  • RSVP online to attend

• Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
  • Mark Twain Neighborhood Library, 1401 E. Anaheim St.
  • RSVP online to attend

Each of the sessions will present the same content. The virtual information session will be recorded and made available on the Program website for viewing by individuals who are unable to attend the live information sessions.

The Program application will be available online starting March 15, 2023, in English, Spanish and Khmer as well as other languages by request. Due to the high level of interest, eligible residents are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible. Complete applications will be processed in the order that they are received. The application will remain open until the Program funding has been committed. Hard copies of the application will be available upon request to the Program vendor, FORWARD. The City is partnering with FORWARD to manage the Program application and review process, including assisting residents with completing applications.

“This down payment assistance Program provides an amazing opportunity for eligible residents to purchase their first home and grow roots in Long Beach,” said Acting Housing and Neighborhood Services Bureau Manager Alem Hagos. “Our Housing team remains dedicated to promoting equity and supporting those who are traditionally underrepresented in homeownership.” 

In November 2022, the City announced the launch of the Program website. The public is encouraged to sign-up to receive updates and further details as they become available. For more information about Program eligibility and guidelines, the grant award process and to view frequently asked questions, people can visit longbeach.gov/lbhomegrant. For questions, individuals can call the Long Beach Resource Line at 562.570.4246 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.

The Program aligns with Goal 4, Strategy 3 of Long Beach’s Racial and Reconciliation Initiative to explore funding of down-payment assistance programs, silent second mortgage programs and other opportunities to increase homeownership.

This Program is made possible by the Long Beach Recovery Act, a plan to fund economic and public health initiatives for Long Beach residents, workers and businesses critically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of $5 million has been allocated to support housing assistance, which includes $3 million for the funding and administrative costs associated with facilitating this Program and $2 million for additional housing programs. Additional information about the Long Beach Recovery Act is available at longbeach.gov/recovery.

About the City of Long Beach
Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health and Human Services; Parks, Recreation and Marine; Development Services; Public Works and more. The City also has a highly respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, 12 libraries, five golf courses, 169 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths and a Bike Share program.

About Long Beach Development Services
Serving residents, businesses and the community at large, the award-winning Long Beach Development Services Department sets a standard for high-quality, innovative urban planning and livability efforts that create more progressive and sustainable communities within the diverse City of Long Beach, CA. Through a variety of development, code enforcement, housing and neighborhood services and building activities, the Department builds a better future for the city while also honoring its unique past. For more information, visit longbeach.gov/lbds. Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.