Last Updated
20 hours ago
About Orange County Housing Authority
The Orange County Housing Authority (OCHA), located in Santa Ana, Orange County, California (PHA Code: CA094), manages approximately 11,686 assisted housing units. These primarily consist of Housing Choice Vouchers, providing rental assistance to eligible low-income individuals and families throughout the Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA HUD Metro FMR Area.
OCHA operates the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Mainstream Voucher, and Project-Based Voucher (PBV) programs. All waiting lists for these programs are currently closed to new applicants. For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit for the service area is $84,600 per year. Applicants should monitor for future announcements regarding waitlist openings.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Apr 6, 2026
How to Apply
Phone
Additional Notes
Accepting applications for Project Based Voucher (PBV) units for people experiencing homelessness. Preference given to applicants experiencing homelessness, eligible for Special Needs Housing Program, or meet HUD-VASH criteria, and referred by CES. Individuals on OCHA's HCV waiting list interested in applying may contact OCHA reception or dial 2-1-1.
View original notice — ochousing.orgOther Programs
2 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.
Applicants can check their status online. User ID is the four-digit birth year and password is the full Social Security number. Waiting list information is updated daily.
OCHA was awarded 100 Mainstream Vouchers in November 2020 and began accepting applications on January 1, 2021. Priority is given to families on OCHA's waiting list who meet specific disability and transition criteria. Referrals will be made by the Orange County Coordinated Entry System (CES) once the waiting list is exhausted.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Orange County 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 Orange County Housing Authority
Check Current Status
Orange County Housing Authority currently has 1 open waiting list (PBV). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Orange County 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 $84,600/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 Orange County 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 Orange County Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Orange County Housing Authority manages approximately 11,686 assisted housing units (11,686 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Santa Ana. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Orange County Housing Authority
PBV Project-Based Voucher open
Project-Based Vouchers at Orange County Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Santa Ana. 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.
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Orange County 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 Santa Ana. This program serves approximately 11,686 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Orange County Housing Authority 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Orange County Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Orange County Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Orange County Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Orange County Housing Authority?
Orange County Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Orange County Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $84,600. 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 | $35,550 | $59,250 | $94,750 |
| 2 Persons | $40,600 | $67,700 | $108,300 |
| 3 Persons | $45,700 | $76,150 | $121,850 |
| 4 Persons | $50,750 | $84,600 | $135,350 |
| 5 Persons | $54,850 | $91,400 | $146,200 |
| 6 Persons | $58,900 | $98,150 | $157,050 |
| 7 Persons | $62,950 | $104,950 | $167,850 |
| 8 Persons | $67,000 | $111,700 | $178,700 |
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 Orange County Housing Authority — including across state lines.