Housing Authority of the County of Kern
Bakersfield, California
Last Updated
2 hours ago
About Housing Authority of the County of Kern
Housing Authority of the County of Kern (HUD agency code CA008) is the public housing agency serving Bakersfield, Kern County, California. It administers 231 public housing units and 4,484 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 4 waiting lists at this agency, covering PBV, RAD, HCV, Public Housing. As of Oct 6, 2026, 2 are open and 2 are closed.
Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Bakersfield-Delano, CA MSA. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $46,950 per year, and as Low Income at or below $75,100 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.
Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 17 status changes at this agency, most recently on Sep 19, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
May 1, 2026
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Applicants will need to apply for each location individually. Assistance is only offered to eligible families while they live at that apartment.
Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Waitlist
Status
open
Additional Notes
The Housing Authority of the County of Kern’s Low Income Public Housing program waitlist transitioned to the RAD program waiting lists.
Other Programs
2 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. Applicants are randomly selected from the waiting list.
The Low Income Public Housing (LIPH) program waitlist transitioned to the RAD program waiting lists. Applications did not lose their position and they retain the same date and time from the original LIPH application.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the County of Kern portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
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
Housing Authority of the County of Kern currently has 2 open waiting lists (Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
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
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the County of Kern portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
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
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) open
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.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) open
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Housing Authority of the County of Kern converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Bakersfield maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) 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.
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.