Rental Assistance and Affordable Housing
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
The Section 8 voucher, officially known as the Housing Choice Voucher Program, is a government-funded rental assistance program that helps very low-income families, older adults, and people with disabilities afford housing in the private rental market. Participants generally pay about 30% of their adjusted monthly income toward rent and utilities, while the local housing agency pays the remaining eligible portion directly to the landlord.
Waiting List is Currently Closed
Housing Authority of the County of San Diego
You must either live in an unincorporated area of San Diego County, or in the cities of Chula Vista, Coronado, Del Mar, El Cajon, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Poway, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach, or Vista
HACSD closed its waitlist for the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8), Project Based Vouchers, Public Housing, Moderate Rehabilitation and Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) TBRA programs to new applicants.
Waiting List is Currently Closed
The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) closed its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing waiting lists February 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. This includes the waiting list for Project-Based Vouchers. SDHC is not accepting new waiting list applications at this time.
Project-Based Vouchers
The difference between Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and Project Based Voucher?
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is awarded to a family, and the subsidy goes with that family to the unit they choose to lease. If the person ends up moving, the voucher assistance goes with them to be used at the new unit. A Project Based Voucher is tied to the unit, not the person living in the unit. Should the tenant in a Project Based unit leave that property, the voucher (aka subsidy) stays with the unit and will be utilized by the new tenant that moves into the unit.
Other Rental Assistance Options
Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)
The Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program provides housing to low-income people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Moderate Rehabilitation Program
The Moderate Rehabilitation program offers 94 privately-owned rental units in El Cajon and Lakeside for low-income families. If a unit becomes available, an applicant's name is selected from the waiting list and referred to the landlord for screening and selection. If the landlord determines your household meets selection requirements, we will then determine if you are eligible for this program.
Public Housing
The Public Housing program is similar to Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance, but the rental units are owned and managed by the Housing Authority of the County of San Diego and its contractors.
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)
The Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program provides rental assistance to qualified homeless veterans. This is a partnership between the federal departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development.
Hardship Application Information
families in the rental assistance and public housing programs may face unexpected difficulty making ends meet. Eligible households can ask for short-term relief. This may help you stay stable in your rental home while you work through a difficult time.
The Housing Instability Prevention Program (HIPP)
helps pay rent and other housing-related expenses for individuals and families in the City of San Diego with low income who are experiencing a housing crisis and are at risk of homelessness. Enrolled households receive assistance for up to 24 months.
Special Rental Assistance Programs
A portion of SDHC’s federal Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher resources fund several special programs that provide housing opportunities at specific developments and/or for low-income households with specific needs.
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)
SDHC partners with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide rental assistance to veterans who experience chronic homelessness. The VA San Diego Healthcare System provides clinical health and case management services to VASH participants.
Family Unification Program
The Family Unification Program provides rental housing vouchers to help families with children who are at risk of out-of-home placement or who have been separated from their families because of inadequate housing. The program is administered through a collaboration between SDHC and San Diego County child welfare agencies and is based on referrals.
Non-Elderly Persons with Disabilities Program
The Non-Elderly Persons with Disabilities (NED) Program provides rental assistance to income-eligible households in which the head of household, spouse or co-head of household is under age 62 and has one or more disabilities that make it difficult to secure accessible rental housing. NED vouchers enable qualified households to lease private housing of their choice.
Homelessness Programs
New Developments and Under/Pending Construction Projects
These are leading affordable housing developers that build new rental communities and rehabilitate existing properties to help preserve affordable housing. Visit their websites to learn about new housing opportunities and available properties.
Looking for an affordable rental home? Check out these websites for available housing opportunities.
Property Owners & Landlords
Property owners and landlords may participate in rental assistance programs such as the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, Moderate Rehabilitation Program, or Public Housing. Depending on the program, a portion of the tenant’s rent may be paid directly to the landlord by the local housing agency.
If you receive an application from a prospective tenant who qualifies for rental assistance, you may screen the applicant using your normal tenant screening process and decide whether to approve the application. If you accept the applicant, complete and return the required forms to the address provided on the documents.
Once the completed paperwork is received, the housing agency will review the information and inspect the rental unit to ensure that it meets applicable health and safety requirements. If the unit and tenancy are approved, the rental assistance and lease process can move forward.
Similar to the County of San Diego, landlords and property owners with rental units located within the City of San Diego may choose to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program.
HCV participants find and select their own housing, which may include single-family homes, townhouses, apartments, and single-room occupancy (SRO) units.
Participating households generally pay approximately 30% of their household income toward rent. The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) pays the remaining eligible portion directly to the landlord, up to the applicable payment standard.
Payment standards represent the maximum subsidy SDHC may provide toward a rental unit and are based on factors such as the number of bedrooms approved for the household and the community where the household chooses to live. If the contract rent exceeds the applicable payment standard, the household may be responsible for paying the difference.
Other in Landlord Engagement Assistance program may including
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$500 for the first unit landlords rent to a household experiencing homelessness and $250 for each additional unit
To list your property and indicate that you will accept a tenant who receives section 8 housing choice voucher rental assistance
First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Programs
Down Payment Closing Costs Assistance
Low-income, first-time homebuyers may qualify for a low-interest, deferred payment loan of up to 22% of the purchase price for down payment assistance and 4%, up to $10,000 in closing costs assistance.
The home must be in the unincorporated area of the County or one of the following six participating cities:
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Del Mar
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Imperial Beach
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Coronado
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Lemon Grove
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Poway
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Solana Beach
Alternatively, the home can be within the HOME Consortium cities:
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Carlsbad
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Encinitas
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La Mesa
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San Marcos
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Santee
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Vista
click on link fo rmore information.
The City of San Diego Offers Two Homebuyer Assistance Programs
First-Time Homebuyer Program – Low-Income Households
If your household income is at or below 80% of San Diego County’s Area Median Income (AMI), you may qualify for a deferred-payment loan of up to 17% of the purchase price or $125,000, at a 3% simple interest rate.
No monthly payments are required for 30 years. The loan becomes due earlier if the property is sold or is no longer occupied as the owner’s primary residence.
First-Time Homebuyer Program – Middle-Income Households
If your household income is between 80% and 150% of AMI, you may qualify for up to $50,000 in loan assistance at a 4% simple interest rate.
No monthly payments are required during the first five years. Beginning in year six, the outstanding principal and interest are converted to an amortized loan with fixed monthly payments over 120 months (10 years).
Click Here for more information on First-Time Homebuyers
Affordable For-Sale Program
If your household’s gross annual income falls within the applicable San Diego County Area Median Income (AMI) limit, you may qualify to purchase a deed-restricted home at a below-market price. Income limits vary by property and generally range from 60% to 120% of AMI.
Simplified Example
This example is for illustration only and does not reflect an actual property or transaction.
Market Value: $700,000
Affordable Purchase Price: $400,000
Difference: $300,000 — SDHC secondary loan
The difference between the property’s fair market value and the affordable purchase price is structured as a secondary loan owed to the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC).
Some of the key deed restrictions include:
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The home must be an eligible deed-restricted property under the Affordable For-Sale Housing Program.
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You must continuously live in the home as your sole residence.
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You cannot own another residential property while you own the affordable home.
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You cannot rent or lease all or any portion of the home.
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You must complete annual occupancy certifications.
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Refinancing is restricted and requires prior written approval from SDHC.
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When you sell, you cannot sell the home at unrestricted market value. SDHC determines the maximum sales price, and the property must be sold to an eligible buyer approved by SDHC.
These affordability restrictions generally remain in place for 45 or 55 years, depending on the property.
Important: SDHC’s First-Time Homebuyer down payment and closing cost assistance programs cannot be used in conjunction with the Affordable For-Sale Housing Program
Click here for more information on Affordable For-Sale Program
City of Chula Vista also offers a First-Time Homebuyer program provides assistance of up to 22% of the purchase price or appraised value, whichever is less, with a maximum loan of $120,000, based on the household’s demonstrated need. The loan carries 3% simple interest, with no monthly principal or interest payments required for 30 years.
Eligible buyers must contribute at least 3% of the purchase price from their own funds, and the home must be located within Chula Vista and used as the buyer’s primary residence.
The loan becomes due if the home is sold, transferred, rented, or no longer occupied by the borrower as their primary residence, or at the end of the 30-year loan term.
Click here for more information on the Chula Vista First-Time Homebuyer Program
Down Payment Assistance Programs
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CalHFA Government Loans (FHA): MyHome offers a deferred-payment junior loan of an amount up to the lesser of 3.5% of the purchase price or appraised value to assist with down payment and/or closing costs.
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CalHFA Conventional Loans: MyHome offers a deferred-payment junior loan of an amount up to the lesser of 3% of the purchase price or appraised value to assist with down payment and/or closing costs.
First mortgage programs offers various government loans insured by various government programs and conventional loans that insured through private mortgage insurance on the conventional market. Some loans such as CalHFA USDA program could be combined with other program such as MyHome Assistance Program (MyHome) Click here for more informations
Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan Program
The Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan is a down payment and/or closing cost assistance program for first-generation homebuyers, used with the Dream For All Conventional first mortgage.
When the home is sold, transferred or the first mortgage is paid in full, the homebuyer repays the original down payment loan, plus a share of the appreciation in the value of the home.
Disaster Rebuilding Assistance Program
In response to recent disasters around the state, Governor Newsom proposed a Disaster Rebuilding Assistance Program to expand access to construction financing for disaster-impacted homeowners.
Homeowner Repair Programs
San Diego County Home Repair Program
The San Diego County Home Repair Program provides up to $20,000 non-payable loans or grants to eligible homeowners with annual income at or below 80% San Diego County's Area Median Income for minor home health and safety repairs.
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Eligible single-family homes, condominiums or mobile homes located in a mobile home park designed as condominium style, townhomes, manufactured or modular homes on private property, duplex, and triplex homeowners.
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Owners may borrow up to $25,000.
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Loans provided at a 3% simple interest calculated annually.
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No monthly payment is required.
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Total loan amount must be repaid at the sale or transfer of the property, at 30 years, or if the owner ceases to live at the property as their primary residence.
click on link for more information.
Mobilehome Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP)
The Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) offers loan funds for eligible mobilehome owners to make health and safety related repairs. Currently, the City offers up to $10,000 in a 0% deferred 5-year forgivable loan. No monthly payments are required and after the fifth year of occupancy, loans are forgiven. Eligible applicants must be living in a designated Mobilehome Home Park (MHP) zone and have income below 50% of the area median income.
Western Chula Vista Rehabilitation Program
The Western Rehabilitation Program offers low interest loans to single-family homeowners, below 80% of the area median income, for home improvements and energy efficiency upgrades. Currently, the City offers a 0% or 3% deferred loan, dependent on income, for up to $25,000. Priority is given to homes located within targeted "low income" census tracts. Condos and Townhouses are not eligible for this program
Contact (619) 691-5047 to be placed on our current waiting list.
Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants in California
This is a pilot program provides loans to very-low-income homeowners in rural areas to repair, improve, or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very low income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards. California is currently participating in a pilot program that increases the program limits. Grants are available up to $10,000 (up from $7,500) and loans are available up to $40,000 (up from $20,000) with a maximum of $50,000 (up from $27,500) assistance. Contact our staff to learn more.
The CalAssist Mortgage Fund is a state program that provides much-needed relief from mortgage payments for families whose homes are destroyed or severely damaged to the point they have been deemed uninhabitable as the result of a California disaster that occurred between Jan. 1, 2023, and Jan. 8, 2025.
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1 year of mortgage payments
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Funds never have to be repaid and it’s free to apply
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Grants paid directly to your mortgage servicer
Energy Savings Assistance Whole Home Program
Qualified homeowners and renters may receive energy-saving upgrades valued at up to $25,000 at zero cost. The Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) Whole Home Pilot is only available to 250 customers based on household income, energy savings and customer zip code.
You may receive these upgrades at no cost if you meet eligibility requirements. The program covers all equipment and installation costs.
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New, energy-efficient appliances, including refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, and clothes washer.
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Heating and cooling system upgrades, such as furnace repair or replacement, heat pump, central A/C, room A/C replacement, installation of an evaporative cooler or portable A/C and repair or replace duct work and duct sealing.
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Improved building insulation, including adding attic, floor, and wall insulation, weatherstripping, and caulking.
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Double pane windows
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Hot water heater upgrade
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High-performance cool roof
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LED lighting
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Smart thermostats
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And more!
Tenant & Landlord Protections
Know Your Rights
Limits on Rent Increases
The Tenant Protection Act caps rent increases for most residential tenants in California. Landlords cannot raise rent more than 10% total or 5% plus the percentage change in the cost of living – whichever is lower – over a 12-month period. If the tenants of a unit move out and new tenants move in, the landlord may establish the initial rent to charge. (Civ. Code § 1947.12.)
Just-Cause Eviction Requirement
The Tenant Protection Act also creates statewide eviction protections for most residential tenants after they have lived in their unit for 12 months. The law sets out two kinds of permissible evictions: "at fault" evictions (where the landlord moves to evict a tenant because the tenant is allegedly “at fault”) and "no fault" evictions (where the landlord moves to evict the tenant through “no fault” of the tenant).
“At fault” evictions include:
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Nonpayment of rent
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Breach of a material term of the lease
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Nuisance, waste, or using the unit for unlawful purposes
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Criminal activity committed on the premises or criminal activity that is directed at the owner or its agent
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Refusal to allow lawful entry
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Refusal to execute a new lease containing similar terms
“No fault” evictions include:
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Owner move-in
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Intent to demolish or substantially remodel the unit
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Withdrawal of the unit from the rental market
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The owner complying with a government order or local law that requires the tenant to leave
Housing Conditions
Landlords are required to keep residential units safe and well-maintained. This is known as habitability. This includes things like providing safe and working plumbing, heating, electrical equipment, floors, and stairs; effective waterproofing; windows and doors with working locks; and keeping the property free from roaches, rats, and other vermin. (Civil Code § 1941.1.) Even if tenants knew that their unit was not up to these standards when they moved in, it is still the landlord's responsibility to make all units habitable.
Notice for Rent Increases
When raising a tenant’s rent, landlords must deliver the tenant a formal written notice of the change. It is not enough for a landlord to call, text, or email that they plan on raising the rent. Landlords must also give residential tenants sufficient warning before increasing rent. If the rent increase is 10% or less, landlords must provide notice 30 days before the increase can take effect. If the rent increase is more than 10%, the landlord must provide notice 90 days before it can take effect. (Civ. Code § 827). If a notice is not in writing or delivered on time, a tenant should consult a lawyer about their rights.
“Lockouts”
It is illegal to try to "evict" a tenant by locking them out, shutting off the water or electricity, or removing their personal property. The only lawful way to evict a tenant is to file a case in court and go through the legal process. A tenant who has been locked out should consult a lawyer about their rights, including returning to their unit and getting damages from the landlord. (Civ. Code § 789.3.)
Security Deposits
A security deposit, which some landlords call a “pet deposit,” “move-in fee,” “cleaning fee,” “damage deposit,” or other term, is money that a landlord can hold during a tenancy. For most residential rental properties, landlords may only charge a security deposit of up to one month’s rent. Landlords may only use security deposits for unpaid rent, repair of damage caused by the tenant beyond normal wear and tear, cleaning the property so it is as clean as when the tenant moved in, and replacing or restoring the landlord’s furniture or other personal property if authorized by the rental agreement. Within 21 days of the tenant moving out, the landlord must return the security deposit, except for amounts deducted for these lawful purposes, and provide an itemized statement.
Retaliation
Landlords may not retaliate against tenants for exercising their rights. For example, it is against the law for a landlord to try to evict a tenant who has asked for repairs or pointed out that a rent increase is unlawful, or to take away services or rights that the tenant previously enjoyed, like a storage space or parking. (Civ. Code § 1942.5.)
Reasonable Accommodations
Residential landlords must provide reasonable accommodations that will allow tenants with disabilities the full use and enjoyment of their unit. Specifically:
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Reasonable accommodations may involve adjusting rules or policies in a way that helps a person with a disability have equal enjoyment of their housing. For example, a landlord is permitted to have a “no pets” policy, but must make a reasonable accommodation for a tenant with a service or emotional support animal by waiving the “no pets” policy for that tenant.
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Landlords cannot charge tenants the cost of offering a reasonable accommodation.
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Additionally, landlords must make or allow reasonable physical modifications to the unit or common areas so that tenants with disabilities have full enjoyment of the premises. In most situations, tenants are responsible for covering the costs of the reasonable modification.
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If a tenant with a disability is being denied or charged for a reasonable accommodation, they should contact an attorney.
Discrimination
Landlords are prohibited from discriminating against tenants based on the tenant’s race, national origin, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, ancestry, disability status, marital status, familial status, source of income (Section 8 vouchers, for example), veteran status, or certain other characteristics.
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Additionally, private housing providers are prohibited from discriminating against tenants on the basis of citizenship, immigration status, primary language, age, medical condition, or any other arbitrary personal characteristic.
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Discrimination may take many different forms, but can include refusing to rent to a certain tenant, providing a tenant with less favorable rental terms, targeting certain tenants for eviction, or more.
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In most cases, landlords are not allowed to ask a tenant or prospective tenant their immigration or citizenship status. Landlords are never allowed to threaten to disclose a tenant or occupant’s immigration status in order to pressure a tenant to move out. Landlords are also never allowed to harass or retaliate against a tenant by disclosing their immigration status to law enforcement.
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If you believe you are being discriminated against on the basis of a protected characteristic, you should consult a lawyer. You can also file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department.
more information check out State of California Department of Justice - Attorney General's Office
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