Housing Information & Resources

Welcome to the City of Laguna Hills Housing Information Website, your dedicated resource for all housing-related needs within our community. Whether you are exploring options for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), seeking financial assistance, or looking for fair housing information, this platform is designed to guide you. 

Housing Choice Voucher Program

FOR RENTERS:

The Orange County Housing Authority (OCHA) administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program in our community. The Housing Choice Voucher Program (previously known as Section 8) helps cover the difference between the rent a lower-income household can afford and the rent a participating landlord is charging. Contact OCHA at 714-480-2700 to:

  • Inquire about waiting list status
  • Learn how to transport a voucher into or out of Irvine/Orange County
  • Find out which property owners accept vouchers

FOR PROPERTY OWNERS:

Are you a landlord interested in helping families secure affordable housing? Visit the Orange County Housing Authority’s Landlord/Owner webpage to learn how you might participate in the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

Welcome Home OC 

If you are a landlord looking for new tenants, consider a voucher-holder. The Welcome Home OC Program is the first housing assistance program tailored to Orange County property owners as well as qualified families, veterans, foster youth, and seniors in need of permanent housing. Every property owner is eligible to receive:

  • Double security deposit
  • Daily holding fees
  • Protection from damage and losses
  • Signing bonus with their first 12-month lease

Learn more on the Orange County United Way website.

Orange County Housing Authority Special Purpose Vouchers

In addition to the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, OCHA administers the following Special Purpose Voucher programs targeted to clients who meet specific eligibility criteria and are referred by various partner agencies.

Affordable Rental Housing

The County of Orange maintains an affordable housing rental list, which contains contact information for affordable rentals throughout the County. To view the list, please visit the Orange County Housing Authority and click on the Affordable Housing List link, which can be found under Resources at the bottom of the page.

Affordable Home Ownership

The County of Orange offers a homeownership program whereby participants may be able to use housing assistance subsidies for mortgage payments. For more information, please visit Orange County Housing.

Resources for Buyers:

Housing Rehabilitation Resources

CalHome Program

The CalHome Program is a deferred-payment loan program available through a grant to Habitat OC for first-time homebuyer and housing rehabilitation assistance, homebuyer counseling and technical assistance activities to enable low- and very low-income households to become or remain homeowners. 

Foreclosure Prevention and Mortgage Relief Program

The Affordable Housing Clearinghouse (ACH) is offering assistance with Foreclosure Prevention Counseling as well as California Mortgage Relief Program. Please call AHC at (877) 990-5626 and ask to speak with Helen Tran or send her an email at htran@affordable-housing.org to schedule an appointment.

Orange County Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP)

The County of Orange offers first-time homebuyer assistance program for residents in participating cities, including Laguna Hills. Here is the link to our mortgage assistance program: https://affordable-housing.org/orange-county-mortgage-assistance-program/

Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing

California fair housing laws prohibit discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability, source of income, sexual orientation, marital status, age, arbitrary characteristics, gender identity, and gender expression. Affirmatively furthering fair housing means that the City of Laguna Hills is taking meaningful actions, in addition to combating discrimination, that overcome patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities free from barriers that restrict access to opportunity based on protected characteristics. Policies and programs regarding the City’s actions to affirmatively further fair housing are listed in the City’s Housing Element available online. 

Fair Housing Services in Laguna Hills are provided by Fair Housing Council of Orange County (FHCOC). Services provided by the Fair Housing Council include fair housing enforcement and education, landlord/tenant counseling, mediation and homebuyer HUD counseling which includes first-time homebuyer education and mortgage default counseling. FHCOC can be reached at (714) 569-0823 or info@fairhousingoc.org.

FHCOC Brochures:

Homelessness

The City of Laguna Hills approved a contract with the City of Mission Viejo to provide homeless outreach services in Laguna Hills.  The goal of outreach is to develop relationships with homeless families and individuals so that they can receive the assistance to navigate community resources. Often times the relationship that outreach staff develop with clients is the catalyst that leads the clients to accepting the help that they desperately need. Homeless outreach workers, under the contract with Mission Viejo, are able to provide ID vouchers, transportation assistance, and other material goods in addition to resource referrals. In addition, an Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy is assigned as a Homeless Liaison Officer within the City of Laguna Hills.  Both the Homeless Liaison Officer and the outreach workers work in coordination to get homeless individuals off the streets.

Who to Contact in Laguna Hills

To access City resources related to homelessness in Laguna Hills please call or email:

  • Call 9-1-1 immediately to report a threat to public safety.
  • Call OCSD at 717-770-6011 for non-emergency Sheriff Department response.
  • Community Outreach Supervisor: Carol Sullivan, csullivan@cityofmissionviejo.org, 949-470-3027

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)

In an effort to accelerate housing construction throughout California, the State legislature passed a series of laws to encourage Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in single and multi-family neighborhoods. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) are independent living facilities located on the same parcel as the primary unit, which may be occupied by extended family members or tenants. For more information or questions about Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units. please contact (949) 707-2672 or email planning@lagunahillsca.gov.

ADU Grants & Loans

There are several financial incentives that property owners may utilize to help aid the construction of an ADU on their property. Please visit each website to determine if you qualify for available funding and to apply. Property owners apply for these grants directly with the organization, not with the City.