Beverly Hills renters in multi-family housing can get up to $1,000 a year reimbursed for home safety improvements like grab bars, wheelchair ramps and door handle replacements.
The city's Handy Worker Program, administered by the Rent Stabilization & Housing Division, targets lower-income tenants who want to stay in their homes safely as they age. The program prioritizes households with at least one member 62 or older, according to the city's program page.
Canyon News reported on the program Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Who qualifies
Applicants must live in a multi-family property in Beverly Hills, be listed on a lease of at least one year and carry renters' insurance if their lease requires it.
Income eligibility is based on total household income for all members 18 and older. Households must fall within "very low-income" limits set by the L.A. County Median Income Guidelines at the time of application.
Renters can also qualify by showing enrollment in one of three assistance programs: the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) or Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA).
How to apply
The process has four steps: submit a pre-approval application with supporting documents, complete the approved work, submit a completed-work application, then receive reimbursement. The city reserves the right to inspect repairs before paying out. Reimbursements go only to the names on the applicant's lease.
Applications can be submitted online, by email to [email protected], by mail or in person at Beverly Hills City Hall, 455 N. Rexford Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210. City Hall hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Funding is limited
The program is first-come, first-served. It runs each fiscal year from July 1 through June 30, and once annual funding is exhausted, no more applications are accepted until the next cycle. The city has not disclosed the program's total annual budget.
The program supports two goals in the city's Housing Element: preserving existing housing stock and supporting aging in place. More details and the application portal are available on the city's Handy Worker page.
