LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles has opened its Section 8 waiting list lottery for the first time in 13 years.The waiting list lottery opened Monday and will remain open until Oct. 29. Applications can be submitted online 24 hours a day until the deadline.Section 8 is a program that provides assistance for rental housing for people deemed eligible. Beneficiaries of the program can have a portion of their rent paid by Section 8 directly to private landlords."Angelenos deserve housing they can afford, no matter their income," said Mayor Eric Garcetti.Submitting an application is free. Anyone who requires assistance with the application process can call (213) 205-5585 or 1-888-816-6955 (toll free), between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day during the application period.Applicants will be selected for approval by a computer-randomized lottery at the end of the application period. Up to 20,000 will be granted Section 8 assistance.Preference will be given to applicants who live or work in the city of Los Angeles or who are veterans, according to a press release."We are very pleased to be opening our Section 8 waiting list after 13 years," said Douglas Guthrie, HACLA president and CEO. "Rental subsidy programs reduce poverty, housing instability and homelessness."