Homeownership Program Overview

The Homeownership Program is offered to eligible Oakland Housing Authority (OHA) residents and allows participants to have their housing subsidy applied towards a monthly mortgage payment, after a home is purchased. Residents who wish to join the program must meet minimum program requirements and, when deemed eligible, they are required to attend a homeownership orientation and education course in order to prepare for homeownership. Participants select homes for purchase and secure their own mortgage financing through a lender.

Residents who are already on the Interest List will be notified based on program availability. Residents who are interested in being added to future Interest Lists should email their contact information to OHA at: Homeowners​hip@oakha.org​. 

Similarities between renting with OHA and Homeownership:

  • Residents contribute 30-40% of their income towards either their monthly rent or a mortgage.
  • OHA has a Payment Standard amount for mortgages based on family size. This is similar to the Payment Standard for renting an apartment.
  • Must be a resident in “good standing” with no lease violations or outstanding rent payments and may not have owed a debt to the Oakland Housing Authority within the past five years.
  • Must be a first-time homebuyer.
  • Must be working full-time, consistently for one year. (Full-time = 30 hours/week.)
  • The minimum gross annual income for the family should be equal to the City of Oakland minimum wage multiplied by 2000 hours, based on the income of adult family members who will own the home. (For example, a family must earn $36,000 based on the City of Oakland current minimum wage of $18.00 as of 1/1/2025.)
  • For disabled families, the minimum income requirement is equal to the current SSI monthly payment for an individual living alone, multiplied by 12. (For example, $967 X 12 = $11,604 as of 1/1/2025.)      
  • Credit scores of 640 or above for mortgage applicants
  • OHA requires the participating family contribute their own resources towards the transaction. Disabled and elderly families must contribute a minimum of 1% of the purchase price. Non-elderly or non-disabled families must contribute a minimum of 3.5% of the purchase price.
  • Must be located within Oakland
  • Must be owner occupied
  • Must pass Housing Quality Standards (HQS)
  • Eligible homes are a Single-Family Residence, Condominium, Townhouse, Mobile Home or Land trust.
  • 15 years if the mortgage has a term for 20 years or longer
  • There is an exception to this timeframe for families that qualify as elderly or disabled according to HUD guidelines.
OHA Section 8 Homeownership Program Information