Los Angeles County Development Authority Criminal Background Policy: Section 8 & Public Housing

Mandatory denials listed in the plan

• Any household member evicted from federally assisted housing in the last 3 years for drug-related criminal activity. LACDA makes an exception if the person completed a supervised drug rehabilitation program after the eviction, no longer lives in the household, or the circumstances no longer exist (e.g., the person is imprisoned or deceased).

  Source: LACDA Administrative Plan (July 1, 2026) (Ch. 2, Sec. 2.8.1(1), p. 2-8)

• Any household member ever convicted of manufacturing or producing methamphetamine on the premises of federally assisted housing.

  Source: LACDA Administrative Plan (July 1, 2026) (Ch. 2, Sec. 2.8.1(2), p. 2-8)

• Any household member currently engaging in illegal drug use.

  Source: LACDA Administrative Plan (July 1, 2026) (Ch. 2, Sec. 2.8.1(3), p. 2-8)

• Reasonable cause to believe a household member's current illegal drug use or alcohol abuse (or pattern of either) may threaten other residents.

  Source: LACDA Administrative Plan (July 1, 2026) (Ch. 2, Sec. 2.8.1(4), p. 2-8)

• Applicant or household member subject to lifetime sex-offender registration under a state program, regardless of how old the conviction is or completion of any rehabilitative program.

  Source: LACDA Administrative Plan (July 1, 2026) (Ch. 2, Sec. 2.8.1(5), p. 2-8)

Arrests

LACDA will not use an arrest record or police report as the only basis for a decision. However, for judging a 'pattern' of drug or alcohol use, an 'incident' can include arrests (as well as convictions, no-contest pleas, fines and city ordinance violations) - more than one incident in the previous 12 months is a pattern.

Source: LACDA Administrative Plan (July 1, 2026) (Ch. 2, Sec. 2.8.3 Consideration of Circumstances, p. 2-10; Ch. 2, Sec. 2.8.9 Explanations and Terms, p. 2-12)

Evidence of rehabilitation and other mitigating factors

Except where denial is mandatory, LACDA considers all relevant circumstances: the seriousness of the case (especially its effect on other residents); each member's participation or culpability, including whether the person is a minor, has a disability, or is a victim of domestic violence or other abuse; the length of time since the violation, the family's recent history and likelihood of favorable future conduct; and, for drug or alcohol abuse, participation in or completion of a supervised rehabilitation program. LACDA requires evidence of current participation in or completion of rehabilitation, or of otherwise having been rehabilitated.

Source: LACDA Administrative Plan (July 1, 2026) (Ch. 2, Sec. 2.8.3 Consideration of Circumstances, p. 2-10; Ch. 2, Sec. 2.8.3, p. 2-10)

If LACDA plans to deny you because of a record

An applicant (or a person the family wants to add) must be given a copy of the criminal record and an opportunity to dispute it at an informal review. Families found ineligible are notified in writing of the reason and of the right to request an informal review. Written objections are due by close of business no later than 15 calendar days from the date of LACDA's 'Notice of Cancellation of Application'; the review is held within 30 calendar days of the request by someone who did not make or approve the decision (and is not that person's subordinate) or by someone from outside LACDA; the written decision with reasons follows within 30 calendar days after the review.

Deadline to ask for a review: 15 calendar days from the date of LACDA's 'Notice of Cancellation of Application' (written objections due by close of business)

Source: LACDA Administrative Plan (July 1, 2026) (Ch. 2, Sec. 2.8.8 Disclosure of Criminal Records to Family, p. 2-12; Ch. 2, Sec. 2.10 Denying Admission to Ineligible Families, p. 2-13; Ch. 16, Sec. 16.3.2 Procedure for Review, p. 16-2; Ch. 16, Sec. 16.3.2, p. 16-2)

Also in the plan

Headline: for the Section 8 voucher program, LACDA has removed its discretionary criminal-activity denials. Beyond the federally mandatory bars (lifetime sex-offender registration, meth production in federally assisted housing, 3-year drug-related eviction, current illegal drug use or threatening drug/alcohol abuse), the Admin Plan lists no general criminal-history look-back. The plan says LACDA will reevaluate this to stay consistent with its Board-adopted homeless preference.

Source: LACDA Administrative Plan (July 1, 2026) (Ch. 2, Sec. 2.8.2(1) Criminal Activity, p. 2-9)

Also in the plan

All household members 18 and older (including live-in aides) get a criminal background check and must sign a consent; refusing to sign results in denial.

Source: LACDA Administrative Plan (July 1, 2026) (Ch. 2, Sec. 2.8.4 Criminal Background Checks, p. 2-10; Ch. 2, Sec. 2.8.4, p. 2-11)

Also in the plan

Fraud-related denials: LACDA may make an exception if the family members responsible will not live in the assisted unit.

Source: LACDA Administrative Plan (July 1, 2026) (Ch. 2, Sec. 2.8.2(2), p. 2-10)

Also in the plan

For families already on the voucher program, criminal records are used only to screen new adult household members, not for lease enforcement or eviction.

Source: LACDA Administrative Plan (July 1, 2026) (Ch. 12, p. 12-7)

Also in the plan

Families porting in from another housing authority are screened; if a member is found unsuitable before the contract starts, the family can return to the original housing authority or exclude that member.

Source: LACDA Administrative Plan (July 1, 2026) (Ch. 13, Sec. 13.5.3 Criminal Background Checks for Incoming Portability, p. 13-7)

Also in the plan

As of the check date, LACDA's How to Apply page says the Section 8 waiting list is closed to public registration; it accepts referrals of homeless families from the Coordinated Entry System (CES) and partner agencies.

Source: LACDA How to Apply page (Section 8 - HCV Waiting List for the County-based Homeless Preference Only)

Mandatory denials listed in the plan

• Eviction from federally assisted housing for drug-related criminal activity within the previous three years, unless the evicted person completed a LACDA-approved rehabilitation program and is willing to continue.

  Source: LACDA ACOP 2026-27 (Ch. 3, Sec. 3-III.B, p. 3-29)

• Reasonable cause to believe a household member's illegal drug use or alcohol abuse (or pattern of either) may threaten other residents.

  Source: LACDA ACOP 2026-27 (Ch. 3, Sec. 3-III.B, p. 3-30)

• Any household member ever convicted of manufacturing or producing methamphetamine on the premises of federally assisted housing - permanent denial.

  Source: LACDA ACOP 2026-27 (Ch. 3, Sec. 3-III.B, p. 3-30)

• Lifetime sex-offender registration under a state program - permanent denial (the family may remove that member from the household).

  Source: LACDA ACOP 2026-27 (Ch. 3, Sec. 3-III.B, p. 3-30)

Arrests

An arrest record will not be the sole basis for denial, but an arrest can trigger an investigation into whether the applicant actually engaged in disqualifying criminal activity. LACDA may get the police report and consider witness or applicant statements, whether charges were filed, and whether charges were abandoned, dismissed, not prosecuted, or ended in acquittal. Criminal conduct is considered if it shows a demonstrable risk to safety or property. All admission decisions use the preponderance-of-the-evidence standard.

Source: LACDA ACOP 2026-27 (Ch. 3, Sec. 3-III.F Consideration of Circumstances, p. 3-42; Ch. 3, Sec. 3-III.F Evidence, p. 3-41)

Sealed, expunged and juvenile records

The ACOP does not address sealed, expunged or juvenile records. Among the factors LACDA weighs is the person's age at the time of the conduct.

Source: LACDA ACOP 2026-27 (Ch. 3, Sec. 3-III.F Consideration of Circumstances, p. 3-42)

Evidence of rehabilitation and other mitigating factors

Before deciding, LACDA considers the seriousness of the case; the effect of denial on family members who were not involved; each member's culpability (including whether the person is a minor, has a disability, or is a victim of abuse); the time since the conduct and the person's age then; participation in social service or counseling programs; and, for drug or alcohol abuse, completion of or participation in supervised rehabilitation. Mitigating circumstances must be verifiable. Examples LACDA gives: evidence of successful rehabilitation, completion of LACDA-approved counseling or social services, and sustained change in the earlier behavior. A family may also remove the culpable member from the application.

Source: LACDA ACOP 2026-27 (Ch. 3, Sec. 3-III.E, Screening Applicants Who Claim Mitigating Circumstances, p. 3-38; Ch. 3, Sec. 3-III.E, p. 3-38; Ch. 3, Sec. 3-III.F Consideration of Circumstances, p. 3-42; Ch. 3, Sec. 3-III.F, Removal of a Family Member's Name from the Application, p. 3-43)

If LACDA plans to deny you because of a record

If a criminal record or sex-offender registry information makes the family appear ineligible, LACDA notifies the family in writing of the proposed denial and gives a copy of the record to the applicant and to the person the record is about. The family has 10 calendar days to dispute the accuracy and relevance of the information; if it does not, LACDA issues the denial notice, but the record can still be disputed at the informal hearing. The request for an informal hearing must be made in writing (email permitted) within 10 calendar days from the date of the notice of ineligibility or denial. The hearing is normally held within 10 calendar days of the request, in person or remotely, before an impartial hearing officer who did not make the decision (and is not that person's subordinate). For discretionary denials, LACDA considers the hearing officer's recommendation in making the final decision. If the family does not appear, the denial stands.

Deadline to ask for a review: 10 calendar days from the date of the notification of ineligibility or denial (written request; email permitted). Separately, 10 calendar days to dispute the criminal record after the proposed-denial notice.

Source: LACDA ACOP 2026-27 (Ch. 3, Sec. 3-III.H Notice of Eligibility or Denial, p. 3-46; Ch. 3, Sec. 3-III.H, p. 3-46; Ch. 14, Sec. 14-I.B, Scheduling an Informal Hearing, p. 14-4; Ch. 14, Sec. 14-I.B, Conducting an Informal Hearing, p. 14-4; +1 more)

Also in the plan

Reentry pilot: the ACOP describes a pilot with the Public Defender's Office and the Aging and Disabilities Department giving a waiting-list preference (up to five households a year) to elderly families (head, co-head, spouse or sole member 62+) who were previously incarcerated or have conviction histories. Families must be referred by a partner agency with a contract or MOU with LACDA. The text says 'upon implementation' - confirm with LACDA whether it is running.

Source: LACDA ACOP 2026-27 (Ch. 4, Units Designated for Elderly, p. 4-28)

Also in the plan

LACDA treats marijuana activity - including use for medical or recreational reasons - as drug-related criminal activity under federal law, even though it is legal under California law.

Source: LACDA ACOP 2026-27 (Ch. 3, Sec. 3-III.B, p. 3-29)

Also in the plan

LACDA checks state/local law-enforcement and FBI records (and may use public records) for all adults; if results are inconclusive it requests fingerprints and NCIC information. Screenings are good for 180 days and must be re-run before move-in after that.

Source: LACDA ACOP 2026-27 (Ch. 3, Sec. 3-III.B, p. 3-28; Ch. 3, Sec. 3-III.E Screening, p. 3-36)

Also in the plan

Misrepresenting criminal history on the application may itself result in denial.

Source: LACDA ACOP 2026-27 (Ch. 3, Sec. 3-III.E, Screening for Suitability as a Tenant, p. 3-40)

Also in the plan

As of the check date, LACDA's How to Apply page says registration for its 16 public housing site-based waiting lists closed on September 16, 2026.

Source: LACDA How to Apply page (Public and Multifamily Housing)