Luna Harper
If you are looking to apply for Section 8 in San Diego, you should be aware that there is a long waitlist for the Housing Choice Voucher program, which could be 10 years or more. The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) administers the program and maintains the waitlist through its Rental Assistance Wait List Portal. To apply, you can visit the HACDS office at 3989 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123, or call (858) 694-4801. You can also apply online through the MyHousing Applicant Portal, but you will need to create an account and provide personal information for all family members, including names, social security numbers, dates of birth, and annual income. Once your application is complete, you will receive a confirmation email. SDHC also offers other programs to assist low-income families with rental costs, such as the Housing Instability Prevention Program (HIPP) and the Moderate Rehabilitation Program.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application method | Online via the MyHousing Applicant Portal or the SDHC Rental Assistance Wait List Portal |
| Application requirements | Names, social security numbers, dates of birth, and annual income for all family members |
| Application confirmation | Confirmation email |
| Waitlist | Yes, wait times may exceed 10 years |
| Selection criteria | Date and time of application; local preferences (e.g., living/working in San Diego, family size, disability, veteran status) |
| Eligibility | Low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities |
| Eligibility review | At least once a year for existing recipients |
| Rent contribution | Minimum of 30% of adjusted monthly income; rent assistance provided up to a payment standard |
| Additional support | The Housing Instability Prevention Program (HIPP) provides rent support to low-income families at risk of homelessness |
| Updates | Email updates available for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program |
| Contact | San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC), HACSD office, or Public Housing Authority (PHA) |
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What You'll Learn
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list
The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) utilises the Rental Assistance Wait List Portal to maintain its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list. Due to insufficient federal funding, SDHC is not selecting new families from the waiting list and does not anticipate doing so for several years.
To apply for the SDHC Rental Assistance Wait List, you must register for the SDHC Wait List Portal by creating an account. You will need a valid email address and password to register. If you have a disability and need a reasonable accommodation, you can call the Wait List Update Call Center at 619-578-7639.
If you receive assistance from the County of San Diego and want to move to an area outside of HACSD's jurisdiction, you will need to contact the PHA of the area you want to live in, as well as your assigned housing specialist. You can contact them by calling 858-694-4801, TDD 800-735-2929, or toll-free 877-478-5478.
Once your name is on the waiting list, it is essential to keep your address current and update your application whenever your information changes, such as if you move, add a family member, or your income changes. You must also respond to any letters from SDHC, as failure to do so may result in your name being removed from the waiting list.
Families on the waitlist may be given preference for selection if they meet particular local preferences. Preference is given to applicants who live and/or work in the City of San Diego and are families of two or more, including a dependent; individuals who are disabled or elderly (62+); veterans or active-duty military; homeless people with disabilities; and non-elderly people with disabilities.
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Eligibility requirements
To apply for Section 8 rental assistance in San Diego, you must first go to the MyHousing Applicant Portal to apply. You will need to provide the names, social security numbers, dates of birth, and annual income for all family members.
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is a federal rental assistance program administered by the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) in collaboration with San Diego County child welfare agencies. The program provides rental assistance to low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
To be eligible for the program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Have an annual income less than 80% of San Diego's Area Median Income (AMI).
- Be a low-income family or individual. The Public Housing Authority determines eligibility based on annual gross income and whether the applicant qualifies as elderly, a person with disabilities, or as a family.
- Be a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigration status.
- Be a resident of the City of San Diego.
- Have a family of 2+ that includes a dependent, be an individual with a disability or elderly (62+), be a veteran or active-duty military, be homeless with disabilities, or be a non-elderly person with disabilities.
- Be experiencing a housing crisis and be at risk of homelessness.
- Be willing to pay at least 30% of their adjusted monthly income for rent and utilities.
Families on the waitlist may be given preference for selection if they meet particular local preferences, such as having a larger family or including a dependent, being a veteran or active-duty military, or being homeless with disabilities.
It is important to note that due to insufficient federal funding, there is currently a long waitlist for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program in San Diego, with an estimated wait time of 10 or more years. The SDHC is not selecting new families from the waiting list at this time and does not anticipate doing so for several years.
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Application process
The application process for Section 8 rental assistance in San Diego involves several steps and requirements. Firstly, it is important to note that the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) is currently not selecting new families from the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list due to insufficient federal funding. However, eligible individuals and families can still apply for rental assistance through other programs and resources.
To begin the application process, applicants must go to the MyHousing Applicant Portal or the SDHC Rental Assistance Wait List Portal. Here are the steps to follow:
- Register for an account: Create a new user account on the portal by providing a valid email address and creating a password. This account will allow you to update your waiting list application.
- Gather necessary information: Before filling out the application, ensure you have the names, social security numbers, dates of birth, and annual income for all family members.
- Complete the application: Provide all the required information accurately and honestly. Be prepared to answer questions about your income, family composition, and other relevant details.
- Submit the application: Once you have completed the application, submit it through the portal. After submission, your name will typically be added to the waiting list within 24-48 hours.
- Wait for selection: Due to limited funding, there may be a long wait before your name is selected from the waiting list. The wait time can be 10 years or more. During this time, ensure you keep your address and other information up to date. Respond to any letters or communications from the housing authorities.
- Verification and final determination: When your name is selected, you will undergo a final determination of eligibility. At this stage, you will need to verify your financial and non-financial information with documentation.
- Housing unit selection: If you are deemed eligible and selected for the program, you will work with the housing authorities to find a suitable housing unit that meets certain standards. The unit will be inspected before any assistance is provided to the landlord.
- Rent contribution: Eligible families will pay a portion of their income (at least 30%) toward their rent and utilities, and SDHC will pay the remaining balance directly to the landlord, up to the applicable payment standard.
It is important to note that the application process may vary slightly depending on your specific circumstances and the program you are applying for. Additionally, if you have a disability or require reasonable accommodations, you can request assistance as outlined in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
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Waiting times
Due to insufficient federal funding, the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) has not been selecting new families from the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list. They do not anticipate selecting new families for several more years. The SDHC understands the critical need for affordable housing opportunities in the community and the tens of thousands of families waiting for assistance. The demand for rental assistance outweighs the funding available to help families in need.
The average wait time for Section 8 rental assistance in San Diego is more than 15 years. However, this is not a recent estimate and wait times may be shorter or longer now. Some individuals have reported waiting times of 11 and 12 years.
The San Diego Housing Commission has not distributed tenant-based Section 8 vouchers to families on its waiting list since August 2022. This is due to surging rents in San Diego and insufficient funding. The Housing Commission has had to reduce the number of Section 8 vouchers given to families on its waiting list to fulfill its other commitments, such as vouchers for specific housing projects for formerly homeless people.
The SDHC Achievement Academy provides opportunities for rental assistance families to become more financially self-reliant. These programs are offered at no cost to rental assistance families or public housing residents. The Housing Instability Prevention Program (HIPP) is another program that helps pay rent and other housing-related expenses for families in San Diego with low incomes, experiencing a housing crisis, and at risk of homelessness.
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Additional support
If you need a place to stay tonight or in the near future, you can call 2-1-1 or visit their website at 211sandiego.org. San Diego County does not discriminate based on age, ancestry, colour, creed, disability, gender, gender identity, marital status, national origin, race, sex, or sexual orientation.
If you are already receiving Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher assistance, your eligibility to remain on the program is reviewed at least once a year. If you receive assistance from the County of San Diego and want to move to an area outside of HACSD's jurisdiction, you will need to contact the PHA of the area you want to live in. You can find a country-wide list of PHAs and their contact information here. You will also need to contact your assigned housing specialist. The PHA you are porting into may have different rules, policies, procedures, income requirements, or payment standards. You can find more information about moving procedures on page 13 of the Family Handbook.
The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) Achievement Academy provides opportunities for rental assistance families to become more financially self-reliant. The SDHC Achievement Academy is a learning and resource centre and computer lab with programs that emphasise career planning, job skills, and personal financial education. These programs are offered at no cost to rental assistance families or public housing residents.
The Housing Instability Prevention Program (HIPP) helps pay rent and other housing-related expenses for families in the City of San Diego with low income, experiencing a housing crisis, and at risk of homelessness. SDHC provides enrolled households with $250, $500 or $750 per month toward their rent, depending on the household’s circumstances.
The Moderate Rehabilitation Program provides rental assistance to participants to reside in a housing unit that is already part of the program. Participants do not locate their own housing unit. If the participant moves out of the unit that is part of the program, their assistance ends. The Non-Elderly Persons with Disabilities (NED) Program provides rental assistance to income-eligible households in which the head of household, spouse or co-head of household is under age 62 and has one or more disabilities that make it difficult to secure accessible rental housing. NED vouchers enable qualified households to lease private housing of their choice.
If you have a disability and need a reasonable accommodation, please call the Wait List Update Call Center at 619-578-7639.
If you would like additional assistance filling out or updating an application, you can call (858) 694-4801 or (877) 478-LIST (toll-free).
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Frequently asked questions
You can apply for Section 8 in San Diego by visiting the HACDS office at 3989 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123, or by calling (858) 694-4801. You can also apply online through the MyHousing Applicant Portal.
Due to insufficient federal funding, San Diego is not selecting new families for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, and they do not anticipate selecting new families for several more years. The waitlist for receiving Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers is currently 10+ years.
You can check your status on the waitlist by visiting the SDHC Rental Assistance Wait List Portal.
