S.F. Housing Authority’s Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Lottery Wait List Open

October 31, 2023 by Almira Robleza
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San Francisco Housing Authority
1815 Egbert Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94124
(415) 715-5200
TTY: (415) 467-6754
Email: CustomerCare@sfha.org

HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER (SECTION 8) LOTTERY WAITLIST OPEN
Opens Monday, October 23, 2023 starting at 8:00 AM Pacific Time
Closes Monday, November 6, 2023 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time*
*Applications are estimated to take 10-20 minutes to complete. Applications not submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date will not be processed further.
Apply Online Only: https://sfha.myhousing.com
Click Here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Video Walk-Thru of Online Application: https://youtu.be/q_iJSGrpxiM

The Housing Authority of the City and County of San Francisco (Authority) is accepting online applications for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) waiting list starting on 10/23/2023 at 8:00 AM PT and closing on 11/06/2023 at 5:00 PM PT. The HCV program assists eligible individuals and families by paying a portion of their rent to private property owners. Learn more at www.sfha.org/housing-programs or waitlist information at www.sfha.org/housing-programs/waitlist.
Applications are accepted online only, and the online application is open 24 hours a day during the application period. There is no fee for completing the online application or to receive assistance with the application. Placement on the waitlist is lottery-based, and not first come, first served.

Application Process

  1. Complete the online waitlist application using a computer or mobile device with Internet access at https://sfha.myhousing.com. Free access to computers and the Internet is available at your local San Francisco Public Library. Call 311 for locations of libraries and operating hours or visit https://sfpl.org/.
  2. You will need: (1) A valid email address; (2) Phone number; and (3) The full name for all household members; (4) Date of Birth for all household members; and (5) Social Security number for all household members (if available).
  3. Save the confirmation number to acknowledge successful submission of the application. You can take a screenshot on your mobile device, print, e-mail, or write the number down with pen and paper.

Application Assistance

  • Community partners are also available to assist you with the application process. The full listing may be found at the bottom of this announcement.
  • Housing Authority’s Customer Care Center can be reached at (415) 715-5200 from 8:00 AM PT to 7:00 PM PT on weekdays and 8:00 AM PT to 12:00 PM PT on weekends during the application period. For applicants applying on the final day of the opening, please have all information ready and available and call as early as possible, preferably before 3:00 PM to ensure your application is completed by the 5:00 PM deadline.
    • If you are a person with a disability, reasonable accommodations can be provided to assist you with the application process. Please call the Housing Authority’s Customer Care Center to request a reasonable accommodation.
    • If you have challenges speaking, reading, or understanding English, language assistance can be provided to assist you with the application process. Please call the Housing Authority’s Customer Care Center to request language assistance.
    • If you have a hearing impairment, please use the TTY line at (415) 467-6754.

After Application Closes
A lottery will be used to randomly select 6,500 applicants. The names selected through the lottery will have waitlist preferences taken into consideration and be placed on the HCV waitlist. Applying for the lottery does NOT guarantee a place on the HCV waiting list.
Applicants will be notified by email of their lottery status within 30 days of the waitlist closing. Applicants will also be notified when their name comes to the top of the waiting list, and if the applicant is unable to verify their waitlist preference, they will be returned to the waitlist without the preference.
If an applicant does not respond to the Authority’s notifications for an appointment or the appointment letter is returned undeliverable, the applicant will be removed from the waiting list. If the applicant has a change of address, phone number, income, or family size, they must notify the Authority in writing or through the Applicant Portal.

Eligibility and Income Requirements
Eligibility for HCV assistance will be verified for applicants who are selected through the random lottery once their name comes to the top of the waiting list.

  • At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National or Non-Citizen with eligible immigration status; and
  • Have a head of household that is at least 18 years of age at the time of this waitlist application; and
  • Pass a criminal background check; and
  • Not be subject to a lifetime sex offender registration requirement under a state sex offender registration program; and
  • Must not have ever been convicted of manufacturing or producing methamphetamine on the premises of any federally assisted housing; and
  • Does not owe rent or other amounts to the San Francisco Housing Authority (or any other public housing authority). Assistance will not be offered until the outstanding balance is paid in full; and
  • The total household income must not exceed 50% of Area Median Income (AMI) unless the family is already receiving assistance from the Housing Authority of the City and County of San Francisco or a different Public Housing Authority, then total household income must not exceed 80% of AMI.

2023 INCOME LIMITS (Effective 5/15/2023) Family Size Extremely Low
30% of AMI Very Low
50% of AMI Low
80% of AMI 1 $39,050 $65,050 $104,100 2 $44,600 $74,350 $118,950 3 $50,200 $83,650 $133,800 4 $55,750 $92,900 $148,650 5 $60,250 $100,350 $160,550 6 $64,700 $107,800 $172,450

The Authority does not discriminate based on race, color, sex/gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, familial status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, ancestry, genetic information or request for family/disability leave in the access to, admission into, or employment in housing programs or activities.

Waitlist Preference
Names drawn through the lottery will have the following waitlist preferences taken into consideration:

  • Veteran/Surviving Spouse of Veteran
  • Mainstream Voucher Preference
  • Individual/Family on the Public Housing Waitlist
  • Involuntary Displacement from San Francisco residence

Community Partners
The following community partners will be available to assist applicants in completing their online applications during the waitlist opening:
RAD / HOPE SF providers

Community Providers

Family Resource Centers

Housing Counseling Agencies

HIV Services Providers

Posted: 10/31/2023

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