County of Merced Housing Authority
Merced, California
Last Updated
21 hours ago
About County of Merced Housing Authority
The County of Merced Housing Authority (PHA Code: CA023) is situated in Merced, Merced County, California. This authority manages approximately 3,312 assisted housing units, comprising 2,891 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and 421 Public Housing units.
Programs offered include Farm Labor, Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Migrant, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), VASH, and VAWA. All waiting lists for these programs are currently closed. Recent activity indicates that both the Public Housing and HCV waiting lists have changed from open to closed.
For a family of four in the Merced, CA MSA area, the Very Low Income limit is $46,950 per year. As all waiting lists are presently closed, interested parties should periodically check for updates regarding future opening periods directly from the housing authority.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Families must apply when the Housing Authority is taking applications. Eligibility is screened when their name comes to the top of the application waiting list. Port-ins are currently BILLING, subject to change. Families will not be permitted to exercise portability during the 12-month period after admission to the program. If the family owes monies to the Housing Authority, the balance must be paid in full or the transfer will be denied. Families in violation of their family obligations will not be permitted to transfer to Merced County.
View original notice — merced-pha.comPublic Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Participation requires submitting a pre-application to determine eligibility. Once on the Waiting List, it is important that any changes of address, income or family composition are done through the Authority Online Portal. Failure to do so may result in removal from the Waiting List.
View original notice — merced-pha.comother Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
This program is for families with at least one person earning a minimum of $5,752.50 annually from domestic farm labor, or who are retired or disabled farm labor workers. All applications will be placed on a waiting list.
Other Programs
6 programsThese programs are administered by this housing authority but do not have active waitlist openings at this time. Statuses are verified nightly and subscribers will be notified when changes are detected.
Rents are income-based, calculated at 30% Area Median Income. The head of household must hold legal status to work in the United States, and other eligibility screening criteria are applicable. Applying for a waiting list that does not have an open bedroom size will be rejected.
No waitlist information currently available for this program.
No waitlist information currently available for this program.
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance, allowing housing authorities to leverage private funding for property rehabilitation while preserving long-term affordability for residents.
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing combines HUD rental assistance with VA supportive services for homeless veterans. Participants receive a housing voucher along with case management, health care, and mental health services through the VA.
No waitlist information currently available for this program.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official County of Merced Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
Go to Official SiteWARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING
Contact Information
Important Notices
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Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.
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Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.
How to Apply at County of Merced Housing Authority
Check Current Status
County of Merced Housing Authority currently has 3 open waiting lists (HCV, Public Housing, other). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at County of Merced Housing Authority, you will typically need: government-issued photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security cards for all members, birth certificates for minors, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters), and proof of current address. For a family of four, income must be below $46,950/year to qualify in this area. Having these ready before the waitlist opens can make the difference between getting on the list and missing the window.
Submit Your Application
Apply directly through the official County of Merced Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf. If applying online, take a screenshot of your confirmation page for your records.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at County of Merced Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. County of Merced Housing Authority manages approximately 3,312 assisted housing units (2,891 Section 8, 421 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Merced. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at County of Merced Housing Authority
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) open
The Housing Choice Voucher program at County of Merced Housing Authority provides rental assistance that allows you to choose any privately-owned rental unit that meets program requirements. You pay approximately 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remainder up to the Fair Market Rent for Merced. This program serves approximately 2,891 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Public Housing Public Housing open
Public Housing units at County of Merced Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. County of Merced Housing Authority manages approximately 421 Public Housing units in Merced. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
other open
The other program at County of Merced Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Merced. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher closed
Project-Based Vouchers at County of Merced Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Merced. Unlike the standard Housing Choice Voucher, PBV assistance stays with the property — not with you. However, after one year of occupancy, you may request a standard portable voucher. PBV waitlists often move faster because fewer applicants know about them.
Farm Labor Program closed
The Farm Labor Program program at County of Merced Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Merced. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Migrant closed
The Migrant program at County of Merced Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Merced. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at County of Merced Housing Authority converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Merced maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
VASH Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing closed
The HUD-VASH program at County of Merced Housing Authority combines Housing Choice Vouchers with VA supportive services for homeless veterans in Merced. Referrals are made through the local VA Medical Center — contact the VA to begin the application process.
VAWA closed
The VAWA program at County of Merced Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Merced. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at County of Merced Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at County of Merced Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact County of Merced Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for County of Merced Housing Authority?
County of Merced Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the County of Merced Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Merced, CA MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $46,950. Limits are set annually by HUD and vary by household size.
| Household Size | Extremely Low 30% AMI |
Very Low 50% AMI |
Low Income 80% AMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $19,750 | $32,900 | $52,600 |
| 2 Persons | $22,550 | $37,600 | $60,100 |
| 3 Persons | $26,650 | $42,300 | $67,600 |
| 4 Persons | $32,150 | $46,950 | $75,100 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $50,750 | $81,150 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $54,500 | $87,150 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $58,250 | $93,150 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $62,000 | $99,150 |
What do these income limits mean?
Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) — Households earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. This is the threshold for the lowest-income tier of assistance. Many housing authorities give preference to applicants at this level.
Very Low Income (50% AMI) — The standard eligibility threshold for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and most Public Housing programs. Your household income must be at or below this limit to qualify.
Low Income (80% AMI) — Some programs, including Project-Based Vouchers and certain local initiatives, use this higher threshold. Check with this housing authority for specific program requirements.
Nearby Housing Authorities
Applying to multiple housing authorities increases your chances of receiving assistance. These PHAs are closest to County of Merced Housing Authority — including across state lines.