Emergency Housing Voucher Program Update – July 2025
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is ending funding for the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program five years sooner than expected.
The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) estimates that the remaining available federal EHV funding will last until fall of 2026. SDHC will continue to help current EHV families pay their rent until the funds run out.
If SDHC does not receive additional funds, additional notices will be provided to EHV families and landlords within the next 12 months (August 2025 to August 2026). SDHC will issue a notice at least 90 days before SDHC issues the final rental assistance payment on the family’s behalf.
Possible Transition to Project-Based Voucher Program
There may be a chance for existing SDHC EHV families to transfer to a Project-Based Voucher (PBV).
PBVs provide rental assistance that is tied to a specific rental housing unit. A current EHV household would be required to live in a PBV unit to receive rental assistance.
SDHC’s waiting list for PBVs now includes a preference for EHV families. This preference is only available to SDHC’s existing assisted EHV participants. It is not available to new EHV families who move into the City of San Diego from other jurisdictions or currently administered EHV participants from other jurisdictions. Please keep in mind that the number of PBV units that will be available before EHV funding ends will not be enough to serve most EHV families. This means only a small number of EHV families at risk of losing their vouchers may find housing with an SDHC PBV.
How to Apply for a Project-Based Voucher
Applying for SDHC’s PBV waiting list is optional. SDHC uses a lottery system to choose families from the PBV waiting list for the limited number of PBVs that may become available between now and fall of 2026.
To apply for upcoming PBV units and to receive an EHV preference, you must take the following two actions:
Step 1:
Submit an application at https://waitlist.sdhc.org. You will need a valid email address and password to register.
Step 2:
Call SDHC at 619-578-7717 or email at ehv@sdhc.org to confirm you submitted an application. This will make it possible for SDHC staff to verify you are eligible for the preference and add the EHV preference to your waiting list application. If you do not complete Step 2, your application will not receive the EHV preference on the waiting list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Additional Resources
SDHC’s priority is to ensure that EHV families remain connected to resources that can support their transition after their rental assistance ends.
- Resource Directory (English / Spanish)
- Additional Resource List
SDHC’s current EHV families may also call 619-578-7717 or email us at ehv@sdhc.org for more information about SDHC’s additional efforts to assist them during this transition period.
