Section 8 (Leased / Voucher Based Housing)

Overview

How Section 8 Helps

Oakland Housing Authority administers Section 8 vouchers that cover part of monthly rent for privately-owned apartments or homes. Section 8 vouchers help people with low incomes rent homes on the private market. People participating in this program

Earn 50 percent of area median income or less as a household to qualify.
Pay 30 to 40 percent of their household’s monthly income for rent and utilities.
Rent from any private owner willing to be a part of the program
Meet screening criteria and have acceptable rental and criminal histories.
Must be citizens or have eligible immigration status at the time a voucher is issued.
May qualify to move outside of Oakland.
OHA can assist voucher families with security deposit. For more information learn more about voucher family assistance.
All Section 8 program participants receive a utility allowance based on the unit type, unit size and ownership of appliances.

Additional information is also available on the OHA resident and community resource page.

Types of Section 8 Programs

Oakland Housing Authority also manages a variety of voucher programs designed to provide more housing options for Oakland residents. These programs expand the housing options for elderly, disabled and veteran tenants. For more details on each voucher program, visit the housing opportunities page.

Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
Project-Based Voucher Program
Shelter Plus Care
Veterans Administration Supportive Housing (VASH)
Non-Elderly Disabled (NED)
Moderate Rehabilitation
Family Reunification
Foster Youth

OHA makes every effort to provide housing to a diverse community in compliance with local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations. Read the OHA Administrative Plan that details the rules and regulations that govern our operations. Learn about the Fair Chance Access to Housing Ordinance.

Eligibility Screening

When a wait list is open, OHA announces publicly that it will accept Pre-Applications though a lotterized process.** Following the lottery, a wait list is established. Names are pulled from these existing wait lists and applicants are screened for eligibility to the program.

OHA screens pre-applications to determine if applicants are eligible for any of the OHA housing programs. To do this we:

Conduct the Preference Verification Interview and Intake for applicants
Obtain information about family composition
Verify income and assets
Determine general program suitability (by obtaining criminal background screenings for all adult members who will be included on the lease)

We also receive incoming portable clients (Port-ins).

*Reasonable accommodations can be requested by any disabled applicant, tenant or Section 8 Participant.