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San Diego Housing Commission
San Diego, California
Last Updated
7 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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NED Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) is currently accepting Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) (under 62 years old with a disability) waiting list applications. To apply, complete the online application. This waiting list has the following preferences: Live or work in the City of San Diego, homeless w...
Special Rental Assistance Programs Waitlist
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
11 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.
The waitlist closed with over 76,000 applicants, and no new selections are anticipated for several years due to insufficient federal funding.
This waitlist for Non-Elderly Disabled individuals is currently closed, as it falls under the Project-Based Voucher closure on February 1, 2026. When open, preferences include living or working in the City of San Diego, homelessness with a disability, veteran, active military, elderly, disabled, and family status.
This waitlist closed along with the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program.
The waitlist had preferences for those living or working in the City of San Diego, homeless with disability, veterans, active military, elderly, disabled, and families.
The San Diego Housing Commission maintains open waiting lists for specific referral-based programs as required by HUD, but these are not open to the general public and are only accessible by Community-Based Organization (CBO) referral.
SDHC maintains an open waiting list for specific referral-based programs as required by HUD, which are not open to the general public and are only accessible by Community-Based Organization (CBO) referral.
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.
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.
No specific waiting list information found for this program.
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.
No specific waiting list information found for this program.
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 2 open waiting lists (NED, Special Rental Assistance 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
NED open
The NED 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.
Special Rental Assistance Programs open
The Special Rental Assistance 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 Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) 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.
Other (Non-Elderly Disabled) closed
The Other (Non-Elderly Disabled) 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.
PBV Project-Based Voucher 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.
Referral-Based Programs closed
The Referral-Based 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.
Referral-based programs (HUD required) closed
The Referral-based programs (HUD required) 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.
Affordable Rental Properties (SDHC Owned/Managed) closed
The Affordable Rental Properties (SDHC Owned/Managed) 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.
Affordable Rental Properties Owned/Managed by SDHC closed
The Affordable Rental Properties Owned/Managed by SDHC 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.
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.
Other (Affordable Rentals) closed
The Other (Affordable Rentals) 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.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration 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.