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San Diego Housing Commission
San Diego, California
Last Updated
10 hours ago
About San Diego Housing Commission
The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) provides housing assistance in San Diego, San Diego County, California. This authority manages approximately 16,557 assisted housing units, which include 16,368 Housing Choice Vouchers and 189 Public Housing units.
SDHC offers various housing programs, such as the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing, and Referral-based programs. At this time, only the New Developments (NED) program is accepting applications. The waitlists for HCV, PBV, Public Housing, and Referral-based programs are currently closed, with recent activity confirming the continued closure of the PBV and Public Housing lists.
For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA MSA area is $82,700 per year.
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Affordable Housing Waitlist
SDHC-Owned/Managed Affordable Rentals
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
SDHC owns and manages over 4,100 affordable rental units for low- and moderate-income residents, seniors (62+), and individuals with disabilities, with incomes no greater than 80% of San Diego's Area Median Income. The waiting list for these communities is typically two to three years long, with longer waits for larger bedroom sizes.
Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) Voucher Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The San Diego Housing Commission is currently accepting Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) waiting list applications for income-eligible households where the head, spouse, or co-head is under age 62 with a disability. Preferences include living or working in the City of San Diego, homeless with a disability, veteran, active military, elderly, disabled, and family; applicants are placed on the waiting list by date and time, then by preferences.
Referral-based / NED
Status
open
How to Apply
Referral
Additional Notes
The waiting lists for referral-based programs, including the Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) program, are open but not to the general public, accessible only by Community-Based Organization (CBO) referral. Preferences may include living or working in San Diego, homelessness with a disability, veteran status, active military, elderly status, disability, or being a family.
Other Programs Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
CBO Referral
Additional Notes
This open waiting list is specific to referral-based programs, including those for non-elderly persons with disabilities (NED), which are not open to the general public and are only accessible by Community-Based Organization (CBO) referral. Preferences include living or working in the City of San Diego, homelessness with disability, veteran, active military, elderly, disabled, and family.
Housing Instability Prevention (HIPP)
Status
open
How to Apply
Referral (2-1-1 San Diego and SDHC homelessness initiative's hotline)
Additional Notes
HIPP helps low-income individuals/families at risk of homelessness with rent and housing-related expenses. It prioritizes seniors (55+), people with disabilities, families with at least one child (17-), and transition-age youth (18-24).
Referral-Based
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
The San Diego Housing Commission maintains an open waiting list specific to referral-based programs required by HUD. These programs are not open to the general public and are only accessible by Community-Based Organization (CBO) referral.
Referral-Based (HUD Required)
Status
open
How to Apply
CBO Referral
Additional Notes
These waiting lists are not open to the general public and are only accessible by Community-Based Organization (CBO) referral, as required by HUD.
Referral-based
Status
open
How to Apply
CBO referral
Additional Notes
SDHC maintains open waiting lists for referral-based programs required by HUD, which are accessible only by Community-Based Organization (CBO) referral and not to the general public.
Referral-based (HUD required)
Status
open
How to Apply
Other
Additional Notes
This waiting list is open but is not accessible to the general public; it is only accessible by Community-Based Organization (CBO) referral.
Special Rental Assistance
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
These referral-based programs, which HUD requires to be placed on HCV waiting lists, are not open to the general public and are accessible only by Community-Based Organization (CBO) referral. For the Housing Instability Prevention Program (HIPP), referrals are from 2-1-1 San Diego and the SDHC homelessness initiative's hotline. HIPP prioritizes seniors 55+, people with disabilities, families with at least one child 17 and younger, and transition-age youth 18-24.
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.
Eligibility includes residents/workers in San Diego City, incomes below 80% AMI, veterans, seniors (62+), individuals with disabilities, and homeless individuals/families. Due to insufficient federal funding, no new families are being selected from the waitlist, with wait times estimated at 10-20 years.
The waiting list for Project-Based Vouchers closed on February 1, 2026, along with the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing waitlists.
Qualified households with annual income no greater than 80% of San Diego's Area Median Income (AMI) are eligible, including low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities. The waitlist is closed, and the SDHC does not anticipate selecting new families for several more years due to insufficient funding.
SDHC owns or manages over 4,100 affordable rental units, and interested individuals should contact the property managers of specific developments as most have their own waiting lists.
These properties have individual waiting lists that may be shorter than federal programs. Eligibility generally includes seniors (62+), disabled, homeless, displaced, and very low-income families, with income at or below 50% or 80% of AMI.
SDHC owns and/or manages over 4,100 affordable rental housing units. Applications are for specific properties and can be found via the 'Affordable Rentals – SDHC' online portal. Qualified households with annual income no greater than 80% of San Diego's AMI are eligible.
The San Diego Housing Commission owns and/or manages over 4,100 affordable rental units for low- and moderate-income residents, seniors, and individuals with disabilities; contact property managers for specific waiting list information.
SDHC owns and/or manages over 4,100 affordable rental units with varying eligibility and waitlists; check the SDHC website for vacant units and contact property managers for details. Eligibility generally requires low income and may include preferences for seniors (62+), disabled, or homeless.
SDHC owns and/or manages over 4,100 rental housing units, and interested applicants should contact property managers for details on specific units and their waiting lists.
No specific information found regarding the general waitlist status for the Mainstream program; specialized referral-based programs may exist but are not open to the general public.
No specific information found regarding the general waitlist status for the RAD program; specialized referral-based programs may exist but are not open to the general public.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official San Diego Housing Commission portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
WARNING: 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 San Diego Housing Commission
Check Current Status
San Diego Housing Commission currently has 10 open waiting lists (Affordable Housing, Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) Voucher, Other Programs). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at San Diego Housing Commission, 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 $82,700/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 San Diego Housing Commission portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at San Diego Housing Commission, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. San Diego Housing Commission manages approximately 16,557 assisted housing units (16,368 Section 8, 189 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in San Diego. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at San Diego Housing Commission
Affordable Affordable Housing open
The Affordable Housing program at San Diego Housing Commission provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in San Diego. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
NED Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) Voucher open
The Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) Voucher program at San Diego Housing Commission provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in San Diego. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements. The application window closes on February 1, 2026.
Other Other Programs open
The Other Programs program at San Diego Housing Commission provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in San Diego. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at San Diego Housing Commission 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 San Diego. This program serves approximately 16,368 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) closed
Project-Based Vouchers at San Diego Housing Commission are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in San Diego. 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.
Public Housing Public Housing closed
Public Housing units at San Diego Housing Commission are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. San Diego Housing Commission manages approximately 189 Public Housing units in San Diego. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at San Diego Housing Commission are specifically designated for non-elderly individuals with disabilities. These vouchers work like standard HCVs but are reserved for this population and often have separate, shorter waitlists.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at San Diego Housing Commission converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in San Diego maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at San Diego Housing Commission free?
How long is the wait at San Diego Housing Commission?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact San Diego Housing Commission?
What are the income limits for San Diego Housing Commission?
San Diego Housing Commission Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the San Diego Housing Commission are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $82,700. 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 | $34,750 | $57,900 | $92,700 |
| 2 Persons | $39,700 | $66,150 | $105,950 |
| 3 Persons | $44,650 | $74,450 | $119,200 |
| 4 Persons | $49,600 | $82,700 | $132,400 |
| 5 Persons | $53,600 | $89,350 | $143,000 |
| 6 Persons | $57,550 | $95,950 | $153,600 |
| 7 Persons | $61,550 | $102,550 | $164,200 |
| 8 Persons | $65,500 | $109,200 | $174,800 |
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 San Diego Housing Commission — including across state lines.