Oakland Housing Authority offers affordable housing options and rent subsidies to community who qualify through a variety of different programs. People are encouraged to apply for housing that meets their needs. Applications are selected through a lottery process and placed on waiting lists until housing is available for specific units based on family composition.

Types of Housing Offered By OHA

OHA subsidizes a portion of the rent that the tenant pays to a private affordable housing provider. OHA is not a party to the lease agreement but does enter into a contract to make regular rent payments, while the tenant also pays a portion. Tenants who possess a voucher search for a home in a neighborhood of their choice and are also allowed to move out of the city or state and continue using their voucher after one year of continuous residence in Oakland (portability). The key to the program is that the voucher moves with the resident and is not tied to any particular unit.

There are different types of Housing Choice Vouchers, including:

  • Moving to Work (MTW) vouchers
  • Vouchers for Veterans (Non-MTW)
  • Mainstream vouchers for non-elderly people who have disabilities
  • Foster Youth to Independence vouchers for former foster youth
More About Section 8

The Project-Based Voucher Program is where the voucher subsidy is tied to the unit, not the tenant. Even when the tenant moves, the subsidy stays with the address. In this program, the tenant pays a portion of their rent based on their income.

More About Project-Based Voucher Program

OHA owns and operates a number of apartment buildings throughout the city of Oakland. Residents pay a rent portion based on income.

More About Affordable (Public) Housing

Through this program, affordable housing and support services are​ offered to unsheltered people experiencing homelessness. To qualify for assistance, participants must be unhoused and suffering from chronic substance use disorder, serious mental health issues, or AIDS and Related Disorders. In addition to receiving a rental subsidy, Shelter Plus Care participants receive support services through a network of local service agencies. Shelter Plus Care is run by the Alameda County Housing and Community Development Department in partnership with the Oakland, Alameda City, and Alameda County Housing Authorities.

Learn More At The Alameda County Website

Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)
– Family Unification
– Foster Youth Program
– Shelter Plus Care.

Qualify

To be eligible for the Oakland Housing Authority Programs, every individual and family must meet all program eligibility requirements. This includes any individual approved to join the family after the family has been admitted to the program. Eligibility requirements include that all adults (18 years and older) must pass a criminal background screening, have gross income at or below HUD-specified income limits (see below) and qualify on the basis of citizenship or the eligible immigrant status of family members. 

FY 2026 Income Limits Summary

Alameda County, California – Oakland-Freemont CA HUD Metro Fair Market Rent Area

FY 2026 Income Limits based on Family Median Income (AMI) $162,800 and the total number of persons in the household.

Income Limit Categories

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Extremely Low  Income

$35,650

$40,750

$45,850

$50,900

$55,000

$59,050

$63,150

$67,200

Very Low Income(50% of AMI)

$59,400

$67,900

$76,400

$84,850

$91,650

$98,450

$105,250

$112,050

Low Income (80% of AMI)

$95,050

$108,600

$122,200

$135,750

$146,650

$157,500

$168,350

$179,200

NOTE: Alameda County is part of the Oakland-Fremont, CA HUD Metro FMR Area, so all information presented here applies to all of the Oakland-Fremont, CA HUD Metro FMR Area. HUD generally uses the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) area definitions in the calculation of income limit program parameters. However, to ensure that program parameters do not vary significantly due to area definition changes, HUD has used custom geographic definitions for the Oakland-Fremont, CA HUD Metro FMR Area.

The Oakland-Fremont, CA HUD Metro FMR Area contains the following areas: Alameda County, CA; and Contra Costa County, CA.

Income Limit areas are based on FY 2026 Fair Market Rent (FMR) areas. For information on FMRs, please see our associated FY2026 Fair Market Rent documentation system​.

Application Process

Applying for Housing 

Wait List Opening 

Oakland Housing Authority accepts pre-applications when we anticipate housing becoming available within a few months. The families and individuals who have submitted pre-applications are placed on a waiting list that was created through a lottery process.

During the formal application stage,​ applicants will be required to present documents that verify​ income, employment, household composition, and will also be required to submit to a criminal background screening.

​​If you already applied and wish to update your contact information or check your status, visit OHA’s Applica​nt Portal​​.

Bay Area Housing Authorities

Eligibility Screening for OHA Managed Properties

When the Public Housing or Project-Based site-based wait list is open, OHA announces publicly that it will accept Pre-Applications. OHA uses a lottery process to select pre-applications for the site-based waitlist. OHA will take pre-applications that are submitted and randomly assign a lottery number to each pre-application. Following the lottery, a site-based waitlist is established, and when housing becomes available, names are drawn from the site-based waitlist. Before anyone can be offered housing, they must first be deemed eligible. 

The eligibility screening process includes:

  • Conducting Initial Intake Interviews for applicants
  • Obtaining information about family composition 
  • Verifying income and assets
  • Determining general program suitability (by obtaining criminal background and rental history screenings for all adult members who will be included on the lease)

Reasonable accommodations can be requested by any applicant that is disabled or has limited English proficiency (LEP).

Eligibility Screening for the Housing Choice Voucher 

When the Housing Choice Voucher waitlist is open, OHA announces publicly that it will accept Pre-Applications. OHA uses a lottery process to select pre-applications for the waitlist. OHA will take pre-applications that are submitted and randomly assign a lottery number to each pre-application. Following the lottery, a waitlist is established, and when housing choice vouchers become available, names are pulled from the waitlist. Before anyone can be offered a housing voucher, they must first be deemed eligible. 

The eligibility screening process includes:

  • Conducting Initial Intake Interviews for applicants
  • Obtaining information about family composition 
  • Verifying income and assets
  • Determining general program suitability (by obtaining a criminal background)

Reasonable accommodations can be requested by any applicant who is disabled or has limited English proficiency (LEP).

Move-In Process to Oakland Housing Authority Managed Properties

Eligible applicants will be offered up to two units based on the availability of units within the site.  The size of the units offered will be based on OHA’s Public Housing Occupancy Standards.  OHA and the Head of Household must inspect the dwelling unit prior to occupancy and sign the inspection form. 

After acceptance of a unit and prior to admission, the family will be required to:

  • Sign an initial 12-month lease and addenda
  • Pay a security deposit
  • Pay the first month’s prorated rent

After admission to the unit, the family will be required to: 

  • Remain in compliance with all of the lease terms for continued assistance
  • Complete a scheduled income and family composition recertification
  • Complete and document the monthly Community Service and Self-Sufficiency Requirement
community partners

Contact Our Local Partners

Oakland Housing Authority does not offer emergency housing or operate homeless shelters.

We do, however, partner with community-based organizations who offer services to those in need of assistance, and, in certain instances, a limited number of housing vouchers may be provided.

Our Local Partners

Alameda County 2-1-1

Eden I&R, Inc. (Information & Referrals), is a nonprofit agency committed to linking Alameda County families and individuals to the full range of community resources available to them. Eden I&R is well known as the primary source of information and referrals to health, housing and human services in Alameda County.​ Contact Eden I&R by calling 2-1-1.

Additional Local Housing Resources