Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas

Encinitas, California

Last Updated

22 hours ago

About Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas

The Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas (PHA Code: CA155) serves Encinitas, San Diego County, California. This authority manages approximately 141 assisted housing units, all provided through the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.

Currently, the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program waitlist is open for new applications. The income limit for a family of four, categorized as Very Low Income, is $82,700 per year for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA MSA area.

Applicants should note that the HCV waitlist status for this authority has recently changed from closed to open, then closed, and then open again. This indicates that the waitlist status can fluctuate, so prospective applicants should regularly check for updates regarding application periods.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Nov 11, 2020

How to Apply

Online

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now
Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Preference is given to persons who live or work in Encinitas and are elderly, veterans, homeless, disabled, or working families; applicants must be at or below 50% AMI. Due to funding limitations, new families are not being selected from the waiting list at this time, with an estimated wait of over ten years for eligible applicants.

Status History

HCV Opened Mar 31, 2026
HCV Closed Mar 21, 2026
HCV Opened Mar 17, 2026
HCV Closed Mar 15, 2026
HCV Opened Mar 11, 2026
HCV Closed Mar 4, 2026
HCV Opened Feb 19, 2026
HCV Opened Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

Go to Official Site

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

Address 505 S Vulcan Ave
City Encinitas, CA 92024
PHA Code CA155
Section 8 Units 141

Important Notices

  • Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.

  • 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 City of Encinitas

1

Check Current Status

Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas currently has 1 open waiting list (HCV). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas, 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 $82,700/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.

3

Submit Your Application

Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf. If applying online, take a screenshot of your confirmation page for your records.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas manages approximately 141 assisted housing units (141 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Encinitas. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) open

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas 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 Encinitas. This program serves approximately 141 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas administers 1 program (HCV) — none of which charge an application fee. If any website or person asks you to pay money to apply, it is a scam. Always apply directly through the housing authority's official portal or in person at their office at 505 S Vulcan Ave, Encinitas, CA.
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas?
Wait times at Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas depend on demand in Encinitas, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 141 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on March 31, 2026 when the HCV list changed from "closed" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas directly for current estimated wait times.
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
Yes. There is no limit to the number of housing authority waiting lists you can join simultaneously. There are 8 other housing authorities within 100 miles of Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas, including Carlsbad Housing & Homeless Services (9 mi), City of Oceanside Community Development Commission (12 mi), Housing Authority of the County of San Diego (19 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in California and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in California.
How do I contact Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas?
You can reach Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas by phone at (760) 633-2723. Their office is located at 505 S Vulcan Ave, Encinitas, CA 92024. You can also email them at housing@encinitasca.gov. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas?
Income limits for Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA MSA (currently $130,800). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $82,700. Most Section 8 and Public Housing programs require your household income to be at or below this level. See the full income limits table below.

Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of the City of Encinitas are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $82,700. 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 $34,750 $57,900 $92,700
2 Persons $39,700 $66,150 $105,950
3 Persons $44,650 $74,450 $119,200
4 Persons $49,600 $82,700 $132,400
5 Persons $53,600 $89,350 $143,000
6 Persons $57,550 $95,950 $153,600
7 Persons $61,550 $102,550 $164,200
8 Persons $65,500 $109,200 $174,800
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $130,800 Effective April 1, 2025
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.