Everything You Need to Know About Section 8 Housing in Anaheim
You must make 50% or less than the median household income to qualify for section 8 housing in Anaheim.
Written by Talullah Blanco
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Families in Anaheim must make 50% or less than the median household income to qualify for either tenant-based or project-based Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program.
Every local public housing agency has different requirements to qualify for Section 8 housing and with bureaucratic paperwork and seemingly endless waiting lists, it can feel impossible even to begin navigating the application process.
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What is Section 8 housing?
Section 8 is a government affordable housing program that offers low-income families, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities financial assistance with rent.
Local public housing agencies (PHAs) receive funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer housing choice or project-based vouchers to qualifying families and individuals.
Here’s how Section 8 housing works:
- Qualifying families and individuals can apply for housing choice vouchers or project-based vouchers through their local housing authority to receive rental assistance.
- Housing Choice Voucher Program is tenant-based and allows a participating family to move into a rental home of their choice if the property owner agrees to participate in the program and the unit meets program housing standards.
- Project-Based Voucher Program only provides rental assistance at specific apartment complexes within a city.
- The housing authority assigns unit size and the number of bedrooms to vouchers based on family size and composition.
- Participating familiesmust pay 30% but no more than 40% of their monthly income in rent–the government will pay the remainder directly to the landlord.
Section 8 obligations
Everyone involved in the voucher program–tenant, landlord, and housing authority–has obligations and responsibilities once the lease and housing assistance payments contract is signed. The table below details what each party is responsible for:
Tenant | Landlord | Housing authority |
|---|---|---|
Provide accurate and complete documentation | Screen tenants | Determine applicants’ eligibility and administer vouchers |
Find suitable housing and complete all required paperwork before the voucher expires | Comply with fair housing laws | Approve units, rental amounts, and leases |
Pay rent promptly and attend all required appointments | Complete all necessary repairs and maintenance | Inspect subsidized units annually |
Notify the housing authority of any changes in income or family composition | Provide housing authority with documentation of any notices to tenants, including eviction notices | Ensure that both tenants and landlords comply with program rules |
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Key Takeaway Expect long waitlists and extraordinary amounts of paperwork to qualify for government rental assistance.
What are the requirements for Section 8 housing in Anaheim?
The
Anaheim Housing Authority
manages the Project-Based Voucher Program and Housing Choice Voucher Program. You’ll have to meet the federal requirements to qualify for the Project-Based Voucher Program, but additional eligibility criteria is required for the Housing Choice Voucher Program. You be 18 years or older, a U.S. citizen or documented immigrant, and either live or work in Anaheim 40 hours per month to be eligible for a housing voucher. Additionally, your income cannot exceed 50% of the median income in your county or metro area.
Here’s the income HUD uses to calculate total household income:
- Wages
- Business income
- Interest
- Welfare assistance
- Social security benefits
- Alimony and child support
The median household income in Anaheim is $103,000 as of 2021 but the exact income limits depend on your family size. You’ll find qualifying income based on family size in Anaheim outlined in the table below:
Family size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Very low income (50%) | $ 47,100 | $ 53,800 | $ 60,550 | $ 67,250 | $ 72,650 | $ 78,050 | $ 83,400 | $ 88,800 |
Extremely low income (30%) | $ 28,250 | $ 32,300 | $ 36,350 | $ 40,350 | $ 43,600 | $ 46,850 | $ 50,050 | $ 53,300 |
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Local governments are required by federal law to administer 75% of their vouchers to applicants whose income does not exceed 30% of the median income.
The Anaheim Housing Authority will collect information on family composition, income, and assets during the application process then contact your bank and employerto confirm program eligibility and place you on a waitlist.
You have to qualify for mainstream preference to be eligible for Anaheim’s Housing Choice Voucher Program. To qualify for the mainstream preference you or a household member must meet all three criteria:
- Between 16 and 61 years old
- Have a disability
- Currently be houseless, transitioning out of an institutional or another segregated setting, and have nowhere else to stay.
Key Takeaway You’ll have to meet the federal requirements to qualify for the Project-Based Voucher Program but mainstream preference is required for the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
How to apply for Section 8 housing in Anaheim
To apply for the Project-Based Voucher Program you should start by filling out applications for building waitlists on the Anaheim Housing Authority
website
. You’ll want to read about each building before applying to their specific waitlist to make sure you qualify. Some buildings are intended for families or restricted to seniors, while others have amenities or services for folks with disabilities. Those who qualify for mainstream preference can apply to the Housing Choice Voucher Program by requesting a pre-application via email or written letter. You can email the Anaheim Housing Authority at
AHAinfo@anaheim.net
or address a written letter to 201 S. Anaheim Blvd, Suite 201, Anaheim, CA 92805. You can check your application status using the Anaheim Housing Authority
online waitlist portal.
You may be tempted to ask for an estimate of how long you’ll be on the waitlist but you won’t be given one as your waitlist time depends on available funding, which fluctuates often. It's common to remain on the waiting list for 12 to 18 months before you are certified for housing vouchers. A lot can happen during that time so be sure to report a change of address, family composition, or place of employment by filling out an Update Form and mailing it to the Anaheim Housing Authority.
Once you reach the top of the waiting list, the Anaheim Housing Authority will schedule an appointment to certify you as eligible. Depending on the program, you’ll be administered your voucher and either be approved for a specific building or given the paperwork to apply for housing.
Key Takeaway You can apply to specific building waitlists online for the Project-Based Voucher Program but you’ll have to request a pre-application to apply for Housing Choice Voucher Program.
How to find Section 8 housing in Anaheim
You’ll have 90 days or 120 days (if you are elderly or disabled) to find housingbefore your tenant-based housing voucher expires. You can use
AffordableHousing.com
to search for qualifying rentals.Be sure to maintain supporting documentation (think meetings with landlords and submitted applications) to prove you were actively searching for housing in case you can’t find a place you can apply for a 30-day extension.
Once you find a unit and the landlord has agreed to participate in the Section 8 program, a housing authority representative will inspect the unit to ensure it meets decent housing standards. Anaheim Housing Authority will carry out annual inspections to recertify the apartment and make sure it adheres to program standards.
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FAQs
What is the most Section 8 will pay?
Section 8 will pay for up to 60% of your monthly income to cover rent. Depending on your family size, income, and fair market rent in your area the exact dollar amount will vary.
How much is a 2 bedroom Section 8 voucher in Anaheim?
In Anaheim, a 2 bedroom Section 8 voucher will typically pay between $754 and $1453 for housing.
Do I have to accept Section 8 in California?
Landlords in California are prohibited from discriminating against applicants with Section 8 vouchers but they are not obligated to rent to them either. However, landlords are required to accept Section 8 vouchers as a source of income.
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