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About Housing Authority of the County of Kern
The Housing Authority of the County of Kern (PHA Code: CA008) provides affordable housing assistance in Bakersfield, Kern County, California. The Authority manages approximately 4,715 assisted housing units. This includes 4,484 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) units and 231 Public Housing units.
Currently, all waiting lists managed by the Housing Authority of the County of Kern are closed. This applies to programs such as the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program, and Public Housing. The status of these lists can change, as seen with the Public Housing list recently fluctuating between open and closed.
Applicants must meet specific income guidelines to be eligible for assistance when lists open. For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit for the Bakersfield-Delano, CA MSA area is $46,950 per year.
Other Programs
3 programsThese programs are administered by this housing authority but do not have active waitlist openings at this time. Statuses are verified nightly and subscribers will be notified when changes are detected.
The Section 8 Waiting List is closed and applications are not available for this program.
Assistance is only offered to eligible families while they live at that apartment. Applicants will need to apply for each location individually during the time frame that the waiting list is open.
As of April 5, 2026, there are no open Public Housing waiting lists for the Housing Authority of the County of Kern. When previously open, applications were accepted online, or by calling or walking in to pick up an application. Eligibility includes low-income families, disabled individuals, and seniors 62 years and older for senior apartments.
Status History
Official Application
Contact Housing Authority of the County of Kern directly at (661) 631-8500 to request an application. Applications are always free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
Contact the housing authority directly for application information.
WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING
Contact Information
Important Notices
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Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.
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Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.
How to Apply at Housing Authority of the County of Kern
Check Current Status
All 3 waiting lists at Housing Authority of the County of Kern are currently closed. Lists typically open with short notice — sometimes as little as 48 hours. The status at the top of this page is updated nightly.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Housing Authority of the County of Kern, you will typically need: government-issued photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security cards for all members, birth certificates for minors, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters), and proof of current address. For a family of four, income must be below $46,950/year to qualify in this area. Having these ready before the waitlist opens can make the difference between getting on the list and missing the window.
Submit Your Application
Contact Housing Authority of the County of Kern directly at (661) 631-8500 to request an application. Applications are always free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority of the County of Kern, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of the County of Kern manages approximately 4,715 assisted housing units (4,484 Section 8, 231 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Bakersfield. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Housing Authority of the County of Kern
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of the County of Kern provides rental assistance that allows you to choose any privately-owned rental unit that meets program requirements. You pay approximately 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remainder up to the Fair Market Rent for Bakersfield. This program serves approximately 4,484 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
PBV Project-Based Voucher closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority of the County of Kern are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Bakersfield. Unlike the standard Housing Choice Voucher, PBV assistance stays with the property — not with you. However, after one year of occupancy, you may request a standard portable voucher. PBV waitlists often move faster because fewer applicants know about them.
Public Housing Public Housing closed
Public Housing units at Housing Authority of the County of Kern are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing Authority of the County of Kern manages approximately 231 Public Housing units in Bakersfield. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Housing Authority of the County of Kern free?
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of the County of Kern?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Housing Authority of the County of Kern?
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the County of Kern?
Housing Authority of the County of Kern Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of the County of Kern are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Bakersfield-Delano, CA MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $46,950. Limits are set annually by HUD and vary by household size.
| Household Size | Extremely Low 30% AMI |
Very Low 50% AMI |
Low Income 80% AMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $19,750 | $32,900 | $52,600 |
| 2 Persons | $22,550 | $37,600 | $60,100 |
| 3 Persons | $26,650 | $42,300 | $67,600 |
| 4 Persons | $32,150 | $46,950 | $75,100 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $50,750 | $81,150 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $54,500 | $87,150 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $58,250 | $93,150 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $62,000 | $99,150 |
What do these income limits mean?
Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) — Households earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. This is the threshold for the lowest-income tier of assistance. Many housing authorities give preference to applicants at this level.
Very Low Income (50% AMI) — The standard eligibility threshold for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and most Public Housing programs. Your household income must be at or below this limit to qualify.
Low Income (80% AMI) — Some programs, including Project-Based Vouchers and certain local initiatives, use this higher threshold. Check with this housing authority for specific program requirements.
Nearby Housing Authorities
Applying to multiple housing authorities increases your chances of receiving assistance. These PHAs are closest to Housing Authority of the County of Kern — including across state lines.