Housing Authority of the City of San Jose
San Jose, California
Last Updated
Less than an hour ago
About Housing Authority of the City of San Jose
The Housing Authority of the City of San Jose, situated in San Jose, Santa Clara County, California, administers housing assistance for its community. This authority manages approximately 6,799 assisted housing units, primarily delivered through Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, aiding low-income individuals and families.
For those applying, current income limits apply; for instance, a Very Low Income family of four in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA HUD Metro FMR Area must have an annual income not exceeding $100,450.
Prospective applicants should note that the Housing Authority is currently accepting applications for its Affordable Housing Listings and "Other" programs. Waitlists for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Mainstream, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing, and RAD programs are presently closed. Applicants interested in available opportunities should thoroughly review the criteria for the open programs.
Affordable Housing Listings Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The City of San José Housing Portal provides a platform to find and apply for various affordable housing opportunities in San Jose, including properties that may offer Project-Based Vouchers. These listings are for specific properties with their own application processes and deadlines. Eligibility is for people with limited income and/or other special circumstances.
Other Waitlist
Status
open
Closing Date
Feb 28, 2026
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Mesa Terrace is accepting applications on a first-come, first-served basis, with a due date of February 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Minimum income requirements apply.
Other Programs
5 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 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program waitlist is currently closed. The website mentions that the HCV waitlist is not accepting applications at this time.
Mainstream Vouchers provide rental assistance specifically for non-elderly persons with disabilities. The program helps individuals transition out of institutional settings or avoid institutionalization by subsidizing housing costs in the private market.
The Project-Based Voucher (PBV) waitlist is currently closed. The website indicates that pre-applications are not being accepted at this time.
The Public Housing waitlist is currently closed. The website states that pre-applications are not being accepted at this time.
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance, allowing housing authorities to leverage private funding for property rehabilitation while preserving long-term affordability for residents.
Status History
Deadline: Feb 25, 2026
Deadline: Feb 25, 2026
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the City of San Jose portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
Go to Official SiteWARNING: 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 City of San Jose
Check Current Status
Housing Authority of the City of San Jose currently has 2 open waiting lists (Affordable Housing Listings, Other). 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 City of San Jose, 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 $100,450/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 City of San Jose 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.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority of the City of San Jose, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of the City of San Jose manages approximately 6,799 assisted housing units (6,799 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in San Jose. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Housing Authority of the City of San Jose
Affordable Housing Listings open
The Affordable Housing Listings program at Housing Authority of the City of San Jose provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in San Jose. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Other open
The Other program at Housing Authority of the City of San Jose provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in San Jose. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements. The application window closes on February 28, 2026.
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of the City of San Jose 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 San Jose. This program serves approximately 6,799 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Housing Authority of the City of San Jose are specifically designated for non-elderly individuals with disabilities. These vouchers work like standard HCVs but are reserved for this population and often have separate, shorter waitlists.
PBV Project-Based Voucher closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority of the City of San Jose are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in San Jose. 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 City of San Jose are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Housing Authority of the City of San Jose converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in San Jose maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Housing Authority of the City of San Jose free?
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of the City of San Jose?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Housing Authority of the City of San Jose?
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the City of San Jose?
Housing Authority of the City of San Jose Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of the City of San Jose are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $100,450. 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 | $42,200 | $70,350 | $111,700 |
| 2 Persons | $48,200 | $80,400 | $127,650 |
| 3 Persons | $54,250 | $90,450 | $143,600 |
| 4 Persons | $60,250 | $100,450 | $159,550 |
| 5 Persons | $65,100 | $108,500 | $172,350 |
| 6 Persons | $69,900 | $116,550 | $185,100 |
| 7 Persons | $74,750 | $124,600 | $197,850 |
| 8 Persons | $79,550 | $132,600 | $210,650 |
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 City of San Jose — including across state lines.