Affordable Housing Resource Guide:
The Federal government, through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), funds housing programs operated by cities and counties. Two of the programs help low-income families afford a home – the Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance program and publicly owned housing.
There are also apartment complexes offering rents below market rates. That list is included on page 10. While most of these rental units have a waiting list, they tend to be shorter than the waiting list for federal rental assistance and public housing.
This directory includes information about housing rehabilitation, shared housing facilities, and home purchasing assistance. It also contains information and phone numbers regarding resources in the City of San Diego, the County of San Diego, and 18 cities.
Eligibility for housing programs depends upon your income, where you live, and any adjustments in income limits as required by HUD.
If you live in the City of San Diego, you may be eligible to participate in programs administered by the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC).
You live in unincorporated areas of San Diego County, or in the cities of Coronado, Del Mar, Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove, Poway, San Marcos or Solana Beach, you may be eligible to participate in the County’s housing programs.
If you live in the County of San Diego, but not in the City of San Diego or any of the cities listed above, you may qualify for help through the County’s Department of Housing and Community Development.
The programs in this guide help families with a broad range of income levels. Most are restricted to families with incomes at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (as adjusted by HUD) but many are restricted to even lower incomes.
The apartments in this guide also differ in income eligibility. Please contact the apartment manager directly for information on rent and income requirements. Other requirements are listed in the “Clientele” column of the Citywide Affordable Rental Housing.
The Housing Choice Voucher program provides rent subsidies to lower-income and special needs households. Their housing costs are 30 to 40 percent of their adjusted monthly household income. Participants in the program are responsible for finding a housing unit that complies with program guidelines. The federal program is administered by SDHC on behalf of HUD. SDHC inspects all assisted units to ensure they are in decent, safe, and sanitary condition.
To qualify, applicants must be a very low-income family or a single person who is a senior citizen (62 or older), disabled, a U.S. veteran, or homeless person with a disability.
Income—Gross household annual gross income must be at or below 80 percent of San Diego’s Area Median Income (AMI).
SDHC owns and manages 2,255 rental housing units throughout the City of San Diego. These well-maintained apartments provide affordable housing for low-income families, senior citizens and disabled persons.
To qualify, applicants must be a senior citizen (62 or older), have a disability or be homeless, displaced by government action and/or a very low-income family.
Income—Gross household annual income must be at or below 50 percent or 80 percent of AMI, depending on the rental building. Contact property managers for additional details.
The Shared Housing Program matches persons in need of low-cost housing with residents who have space in their homes to share. Home providers supply a private bedroom, shared common space and utilities in exchange for the home seeker’s contribution of services or low rent. This program is funded by SDHC and is operated by ElderHelp of San Diego, a nonprofit agency.
Single Room Occupancy (SRO) hotels are single room units with a bed, small refrigerator and microwave. These units usually do not require security deposits or first and last months’ rent, and have lower rents. Refer to page 18 for a list of SRO hotels in the City of San Diego.