Orange County Housing Authority
Santa Ana, California
Last Updated
3 hours ago
About Orange County Housing Authority
Orange County Housing Authority (HUD agency code CA094) is the public housing agency serving Santa Ana, Orange County, California. It administers 11,686 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 4 waiting lists at this agency, covering EHV, HCV, Mainstream, PBV. As of Oct 6, 2026, all 4 tracked lists are closed to new applications.
Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA HUD Metro FMR Area. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $84,600 per year, and as Low Income at or below $135,350 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.
Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 39 status changes at this agency, most recently on Sep 5, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.
Other Programs
4 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.
Referrals to the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program ended on 9/30/23. OCHA will no longer accept referrals. Funding is expected to last until the end of 2026. EHV participants are being transitioned into the HCV program.
Applicants can check their status online. The website calculates time left on the waiting list, not time applicant has been waiting. Waiting list information is updated daily.
Applications for the 2020 Mainstream Voucher Program allocation were accepted starting January 1, 2021. Vouchers are intended for individuals transitioning out of Project Roomkey/Homekey, connected to Project Tool Belt, and referred by the Orange County Coordinated Entry System (CES). Priority is given to families on OCHA's waiting list who meet specific disability and transition criteria.
Applications were accepted for Project Based Voucher (PBV) units for people experiencing homelessness on September 4, 2026 (7101 W. Lincoln Ave., Buena Park, CA 90620) and April 6, 2026 (1400 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626).
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Orange 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
-
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 Orange County Housing Authority
Check Current Status
All 4 waiting lists at Orange 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 Orange 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 $84,600/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 Orange County Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Orange County Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Orange County Housing Authority manages approximately 11,686 assisted housing units (11,686 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Santa Ana. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Orange County Housing Authority
EHV Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) closed
The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program at Orange County Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Santa Ana. 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 Orange 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 Santa Ana. This program serves approximately 11,686 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 Orange 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 (PBV) closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Orange County Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Santa Ana. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Orange County Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Orange County Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Orange County Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Orange County Housing Authority?
Orange County Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Orange County Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $84,600. 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 | $35,550 | $59,250 | $94,750 |
| 2 Persons | $40,600 | $67,700 | $108,300 |
| 3 Persons | $45,700 | $76,150 | $121,850 |
| 4 Persons | $50,750 | $84,600 | $135,350 |
| 5 Persons | $54,850 | $91,400 | $146,200 |
| 6 Persons | $58,900 | $98,150 | $157,050 |
| 7 Persons | $62,950 | $104,950 | $167,850 |
| 8 Persons | $67,000 | $111,700 | $178,700 |
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 Orange County Housing Authority — including across state lines.