Santa Clara County Housing Authority
San Jose, California
Last Updated
1 hours ago
About Santa Clara County Housing Authority
The Santa Clara County Housing Authority (PHA Code: CA059) is located in San Jose, Santa Clara County, California. This authority manages approximately 12,610 assisted housing units, which includes 12,606 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 4 Public Housing units.
The Santa Clara County Housing Authority administers several housing programs, including Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Mainstream, Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), Public Housing, and Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD). All of these programs currently have closed waiting lists. While the HCV waiting list has recently seen changes from open to closed and back again, it is presently closed to new applications.
For a Very Low Income family of four in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA HUD Metro FMR Area, the current income limit is $100,450 per year. Potential applicants are advised to regularly check for official updates on waiting list openings directly from the housing authority.
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 Housing Authority previously accepted applications for HCV from March 16, 2023, to March 30, 2023.
The Mainstream Voucher program waitlist is currently closed. The Housing Authority previously accepted applications for Mainstream from March 16, 2023, to March 30, 2023.
The Project-Based Voucher (PBV) waitlist is currently closed. The Housing Authority previously accepted applications for PBV from March 16, 2023, to March 30, 2023.
The Public Housing waitlist is currently closed. The Housing Authority previously accepted applications for Public Housing from March 16, 2023, to March 30, 2023.
The RAD program waitlist is currently closed.
Status History
Official Application
Contact Santa Clara County Housing Authority directly at (408) 275-8770 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 Santa Clara County Housing Authority
Check Current Status
All 5 waiting lists at Santa Clara County Housing Authority 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 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
Contact Santa Clara County Housing Authority directly at (408) 275-8770 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 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
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) 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.
PBV Project-Based Voucher 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 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.