About City of Santa Rosa

The City of Santa Rosa, PHA Code CA088, provides housing assistance within Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California. This authority manages approximately 1,925 assisted housing units, all of which are Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8 vouchers).

Currently, all waiting lists for housing assistance programs offered by the City of Santa Rosa are closed. These programs include Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), HOME, HOME - Tenant Based Rental Assistance, Mainstream, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), and VASH. Recent activity confirms both Public Housing and RAD programs are now closed for applications.

For prospective applicants, the very low income limit for a family of four in the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA MSA area is $75,500 per year. Interested parties should monitor the authority for any future announcements regarding waitlist openings.

Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

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

Additional Notes

Pre-applications are being accepted for Bethlehem Tower (age 62+, income not exceeding 50% AMI) and Rosenberg Building (elderly or disabled, single person household, income not exceeding 50% AMI).

Other Programs

8 programs

These 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.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
Closed

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program assists low-income families with private rental housing within Santa Rosa city limits, with eligibility based on low-income guidelines (up to 50% Area Median Income), and placement on the waitlist is determined by a random lottery.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Official Portal
HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME)
Closed

The HOME - Tenant Based Rental Assistance waiting list is currently closed; a lottery determines placement on the waitlist when it opens. This program offers a rental subsidy for up to two years to eligible residents earning at or below 60% of the area median income, provided they lease a rental home within Santa Rosa city limits and do not receive other federal rental assistance.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
HOME - Tenant Based Rental Assistance
Closed

The waiting list is currently closed; a lottery determines placement on the waitlist when it opens. This program offers a rental subsidy for up to two years to eligible residents earning at or below 60% of the area median income.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Mainstream Voucher
Closed

Mainstream Vouchers provide rental assistance specifically for non-elderly persons with disabilities. No active waitlist information is currently available.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Public Housing
Closed

Public Housing provides affordable rental units owned and operated directly by the housing authority, with rent typically set at 30% of household income. No active waitlist information is currently available.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)
Closed

No active waitlist information currently available.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)
Closed

No active waitlist openings at this time for this program, which is often administered through collaboration with the VA.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
other
Closed

This program offers a rental subsidy for up to two years to eligible residents earning at or below 60% of the area median income, for rental homes within Santa Rosa city limits; a lottery determines placement.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Official Portal

Status History

PBV Opened Less than an hour ago
Public Housing Closed 6 days ago
RAD Closed Apr 1, 2026
Mainstream Closed Apr 1, 2026
PBV Closed Apr 1, 2026
PBV Opened Mar 4, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official City of Santa Rosa 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 90 Santa Rosa Ave
City Santa Rosa, CA 95404
PHA Code CA088
Section 8 Units 1,925

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 City of Santa Rosa

1

Check Current Status

City of Santa Rosa currently has 1 open waiting list (PBV). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at City of Santa Rosa, 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 $75,500/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 City of Santa Rosa 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 City of Santa Rosa, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. City of Santa Rosa manages approximately 1,925 assisted housing units (1,925 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Santa Rosa. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at City of Santa Rosa

PBV Project-Based Voucher open

Project-Based Vouchers at City of Santa Rosa are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Santa Rosa. 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.

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at City of Santa Rosa 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 Rosa. This program serves approximately 1,925 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

HOME closed

The HOME program at City of Santa Rosa provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Santa Rosa. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

HOME - Tenant Based Rental Assistance closed

The HOME - Tenant Based Rental Assistance program at City of Santa Rosa provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Santa Rosa. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed

Mainstream Vouchers at City of Santa Rosa 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.

Public Housing Public Housing closed

Public Housing units at City of Santa Rosa 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 City of Santa Rosa converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Santa Rosa maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.

VASH Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing closed

The HUD-VASH program at City of Santa Rosa combines Housing Choice Vouchers with VA supportive services for homeless veterans in Santa Rosa. Referrals are made through the local VA Medical Center — contact the VA to begin the application process.

other closed

The other program at City of Santa Rosa provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Santa Rosa. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at City of Santa Rosa free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. City of Santa Rosa administers 9 programs (PBV, HCV, HOME, HOME - Tenant Based Rental Assistance, Mainstream, Public Housing, RAD, VASH, other) — 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 90 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa, CA.
How long is the wait at City of Santa Rosa?
Wait times at City of Santa Rosa depend on demand in Santa Rosa, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 1,925 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on April 8, 2026 when the PBV list changed from "closed" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact City of Santa Rosa 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 City of Santa Rosa, including County of Sonoma (2 mi), Housing Authority of the City of Napa (25 mi), Housing Authority of County of Marin (31 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 City of Santa Rosa?
You can reach City of Santa Rosa by phone at (707) 543-3300. Their office is located at 90 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95404. You can also email them at section8@srcity.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for City of Santa Rosa?
Income limits for City of Santa Rosa are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA MSA (currently $132,000). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $75,500. 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.

City of Santa Rosa Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the City of Santa Rosa are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $75,500. 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 $31,750 $52,850 $84,650
2 Persons $36,250 $60,400 $96,750
3 Persons $40,800 $67,950 $108,850
4 Persons $45,300 $75,500 $120,900
5 Persons $48,950 $81,550 $130,600
6 Persons $52,550 $87,600 $140,250
7 Persons $56,200 $93,650 $149,950
8 Persons $59,800 $99,700 $159,600
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $132,000 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.