Santa Clara County Housing Authority
San Jose, California
Last Updated
1 hours ago
About Santa Clara County Housing Authority
Santa Clara County Housing Authority (HUD agency code CA059) is the public housing agency serving San Jose, Santa Clara County, California. It administers 4 public housing units and 12,606 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 16 waiting lists at this agency, covering Affordable, Other, Senior, HCV, Mainstream, Mod Rehab, PBV, Public Housing, RAD. As of May 14, 2026, 10 are open and 6 are closed.
Income eligibility is set by HUD for the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA HUD Metro FMR Area. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $100,450 per year, and as Low Income at or below $159,550 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.
Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 22 status changes at this agency, most recently on Oct 3, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.
Affordable Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
This program provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Affordable Housing Property-Specific
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This waitlist is currently open with no stated deadline, for specific properties; applications will be put into a lottery.
Property-Specific
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Property-specific affordable housing waitlists are currently open, with applications potentially placed into a lottery.
Other Programs Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Jun 7, 2026
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This 55+ Housing Community waitlist is open for individuals aged 55 and older; applications for specific properties may be placed into a lottery.
Interest for Voucher
Status
open
Open Date
Jun 29, 2026
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This interest list is for affordable housing voucher programs including Section 8 and Project Based Voucher. Individuals must log into the Applicant Portal at least once a year to stay active. Applicants are chosen randomly to be added to the program waiting list if rental assistance becomes available.
Voucher Interest
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This interest list for affordable housing voucher programs (including Section 8 and PBV) is continuously open; applicants are chosen randomly, with preference given to those who have lived or worked in Santa Clara County within the last five years and must log in annually to stay active.
Senior Housing Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Jun 7, 2026
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This waitlist is open for individuals aged 55 and older, with applications for specific properties potentially being placed into a lottery and accepted ongoing until closed.
Hawthorn Interest
Status
open
Open Date
Jun 7, 2026
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This interest list is currently open with no stated deadline, for individuals aged 55 and older, potentially for properties like Hawthorn.
Property-Specific
Status
open
Open Date
Jun 7, 2026
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This waitlist is currently open with no stated deadline, for individuals aged 55 and older for specific properties; applications will be put into a lottery.
Senior Housing - 55+ Community
Status
open
Open Date
Jun 7, 2026
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
A waitlist for a 55+ Housing Community (e.g., Hawthorn Interest List) is currently open with no stated application deadline, remaining open until further notice. This program is for individuals aged 55 and older. Waitlist Interest List Applications for specific properties will be put into a lottery.
Other Programs
6 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 (Section 8) waiting list has not been opened since 2006. However, Santa Clara County Housing Authority maintains continuously open 'online interest lists' from which applicants are randomly selected to be added to the waiting list when vouchers become available. Preferences are given to households who live or work, or have lived or worked, in Santa Clara County within the last five years. Applicants must meet income eligibility requirements and other criteria, including being 18+, legally documented in the U.S., and without certain criminal history.
The Mainstream program is not currently accepting applications.
The Moderate Rehabilitation waiting list is currently closed and was last open in 2006, with no notice of when it will reopen.
Project-Based Vouchers are tied to specific rental units, and separate site-based lists are maintained for these properties. Applicants can register on the Housing Authority's interest lists to be considered for federally funded rental assistance programs, including Property Vouchers.
The waiting list for general public housing is not accepting applications at this time. Information for specific property-based public housing waitlists may be available through third-party management companies.
The RAD program is not currently accepting applications.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Santa Clara County Housing Authority 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 Santa Clara County Housing Authority
Check Current Status
Santa Clara County Housing Authority currently has 10 open waiting lists (Affordable Housing, Other Programs, Senior Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Santa Clara County Housing Authority, 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 Santa Clara County Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Santa Clara County Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Santa Clara County Housing Authority manages approximately 12,610 assisted housing units (12,606 Section 8, 4 Public Housing), 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 Santa Clara County Housing Authority
Affordable Affordable Housing open
The Affordable Housing program at Santa Clara County Housing Authority 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 May 18, 2026.
Other Other Programs open
The Other Programs program at Santa Clara County Housing Authority 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.
Senior Senior Housing open
The Senior Housing program at Santa Clara County Housing Authority 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.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Santa Clara County Housing Authority 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 12,606 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 Santa Clara County Housing Authority 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.
Mod Rehab Moderate Rehabilitation (Mod Rehab) closed
The Moderate Rehabilitation (Mod Rehab) program at Santa Clara County Housing Authority 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.
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Santa Clara County Housing Authority 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 Santa Clara County Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Santa Clara County Housing Authority manages approximately 4 Public Housing units in San Jose. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Santa Clara County Housing Authority 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 Santa Clara County Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Santa Clara County Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Santa Clara County Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Santa Clara County Housing Authority?
Santa Clara County Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Santa Clara County Housing Authority 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 Santa Clara County Housing Authority — including across state lines.