Quicklinks

<span>Helping Families Move Ahead</span><br>The SDHC Achievement Academy taught Manuel job interview skills and how to save money and stay out of debt as he tries to provide a better life for his family.

<span>Rental Assistance</span><br>Senior citizens, like Amanda & Maria, make up 30 percent of all Housing Choice Voucher households. Watch Video.

<span>A Place to Call Home</span><br>Silvia would not have been able to afford a place to live for her family without federal rental assistance, which she calls a “blessing.”

<span>Life Changing Experience</span><br>Less than five years ago, Eric was on welfare trying to provide for his three children.He graduated from the Family Self Sufficiency program offered at the SDHC Achievement Academy. He now heads a high school teaching department and holds a Master's degree in Education.

SDHC Rental Assistance

With a budget of more than $320 million in fiscal year 2012, Rental Assistance is the San Diego Housing Commission’s (SDHC) largest department. It administers the federally supported Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), which provides rent subsidies for about 14,000 San Diego households. Within this department is the Workforce & Economic Development division, which is dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty by helping housing-assisted families become economically self-sufficient.

Voucher recipients are encouraged to take free classes on topics such as career development and personal finance at the Achievement Academy of the San Diego Housing Commission. As an incentive, SDHC offers special asset-building accounts that help motivated enrollees save money for school, books, starting a small business or buying a home.

Who’s eligible?

Needy families and individuals who live or work in the City of San Diego, as well as veterans, seniors 62 and older, the disabled and the homeless may be eligible for rental assistance. The assistance comes in the form of a rental subsidy called a Housing Choice or Section 8 voucher.

Income Guidelines

What are the benefits?

Rental assistance recipients pay between 30 and 40 percent of their their household income toward their rent. The balance is paid by SDHC directly to the landlord. Voucher recipients may also enroll in classes run by the Achievement Academy of the San Diego Housing Commission that focus on achieving economic independence.

S elf-help programs for voucher holders

Where you can live?

Once you obtain a voucher, you may rent an apartment owned by SDHC or a privately owned rental unit managed by a landlord that has agreed to participate in the rental subsidy program.

List of affordable housing units

Apply Now

SDHC is in the process of upgrading the online waiting list application portal. Click here for more information.