Section 8 & Affordable Housing Waitlists in California
In California, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and public housing waitlists are run by local public housing authorities — not by HUD or by Lease Lantern. Each authority opens and closes its own lists, sometimes for only a few days at a time, so timing and persistence matter.
How to find and join an open waitlist
- Identify the housing authorities that serve where you want to live (listed below).
- Contact each one to ask whether its Section 8 or public housing waitlist is currently open.
- Apply to every open list you qualify for — many people keep several active at once.
- Have your documents ready: ID, income, household members, and current address.
- Keep your contact info updated with each authority so you don’t lose your place.
Waitlist openings change frequently, so always confirm the current status directly with the authority. Eligibility depends on your household income versus the California income limits.
Where to apply in California
88 authorities administer Section 8 vouchers in California. Contact one to check waitlist status:
Berkeley Housing AuthorityBerkeley Cdc Of National CityNational City City Of Alameda Housing AuthorityAlameda City Of Benicia Hsg AuthBenicia City Of Pittsburg Hsg AuthPittsburg City Of RosevilleRoseville City Of Santa RosaSanta Rosa City Of VacavilleVacaville County Of Butte Hsg AuthChico County Of Plumas Housing AuthorityQuincy County Of Shasta Hsg AuthRedding County Of Solano Hsg AuthFairfield County Of SonomaSanta Rosa Crescent City Hsg AuthCrescent City Carlsbad Housing & Homeless ServicesCarlsbad City Of Anaheim Housing AuthorityAnaheim City Of Compton Housing AuthorityCompton City Of FairfieldFairfield City Of Long Beach Housing AuthorityLong Beach City Of Oceanside Community Development CommOceanside City Of Pasadena Housing DepartmentPasadena County Of El Dorado Housing AuthorityPlacerville County Of Merced Housing AuthorityMerced County Of Sacramento Housing AuthoritySacramento Culver City Housing AuthorityCulver City Housing Authority Of County Of MarinSan Rafael Housing Authority Of The City Of NapaNapa Housing Authority Of The City Of ReddingRedding Housing Authority Of The City Of San JoseSan Jose Housing Authority Of The City Of VallejoVallejo Hsg Auth Of The City Of LivermoreLivermore Hawthorne HousingHawthorne Housing Auth. Of The County Of San JoaquinStockton Housing Authority City Of FresnoFresno Housing Authority Of Fresno CountyFresno Housing Authority Of The City & County Of SfSan Francisco Housing Authority Of The City Of Baldwin ParkBaldwin Park Housing Authority Of The City Of BurbankBurbank Housing Authority Of The City Of CalexicoCalexico Housing Authority Of The City Of EncinitasEncinitas Housing Authority Of The City Of Garden GroveGarden Grove Housing Authority Of The City Of GlendaleGlendale Housing Authority Of The City Of Hawaiian GardensHawaiian Gardens Housing Authority Of The City Of InglewoodInglewood Housing Authority Of The City Of Los AngelesLos Angeles Housing Authority Of The City Of MaderaMadera Housing Authority Of The City Of NorwalkNorwalk Housing Authority Of The City Of OxnardOxnard Housing Authority Of The City Of PomonaPomona Housing Authority Of The City Of Port HuenemePort Hueneme Housing Authority Of The City Of Redondo BeachRedondo Beach Housing Authority Of The City Of San BuenaventuraVentura Housing Authority Of The City Of San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo Housing Authority Of The City Of Santa AnaSanta Ana Housing Authority Of The City Of Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara Housing Authority Of The City Of Santa MonicaSanta Monica Housing Authority Of The City Of Santa PaulaSanta Paula Housing Authority Of The City Of South GateSouth Gate Housing Authority Of The City Of TorranceTorrance Housing Authority Of The County Contra CostaMartinez