What the Fresno Housing Authority does

The Fresno Housing Authority is a public agency that runs affordable housing programs in Fresno County. It administers Section 8 vouchers, manages public housing properties, and oversees other programs designed to help lower-income households afford rent. The Authority is separate from the city or county government — it is its own agency with its own board and budget, though it receives federal funding and operates under federal rules.

The Authority's main job is matching people with housing they can afford. It does not build or own most of the housing itself. Instead, it gives vouchers to tenants, who then use those vouchers to rent from private landlords. The Authority pays the landlord the difference between what the tenant can afford and the market rent, up to a limit set by the federal government.

The Authority also owns and operates some public housing units directly — these are apartment buildings the Authority owns and manages. These units are rented only to people who meet income limits. Public housing is less common than voucher programs in Fresno, but it exists as an option for people who cannot find a landlord willing to accept a voucher.

Key Takeaways

  • The Fresno Housing Authority runs Section 8 voucher programs and public housing, both limited to households below certain income thresholds.
  • Waiting lists for both vouchers and public housing are typically closed or have long wait times; you can ask to be added when they reopen.
  • If you receive a voucher, you choose your own rental unit from participating landlords, and the Authority pays part of your rent directly to the landlord.
  • You must recertify your income and household composition every year to keep your voucher or public housing lease.
  • Contact the Authority directly by phone or in person at their office to learn current waiting list status and what documents you will need.

How to contact the Fresno Housing Authority

The Fresno Housing Authority's main office is located at 1331 Fulton Street, Fresno, CA 93650. You can reach them by phone at (559) 443-8400. Office hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but you should call ahead to confirm current hours and to ask whether waiting lists are open.

When you call or visit, ask specifically whether the Section 8 voucher waiting list is open or closed. Many housing authorities, including Fresno's, close their waiting lists when demand is very high. If the list is closed, ask whether you can be added to a notification list so you are contacted when it reopens. Some people wait months or years for a voucher, so knowing the current status matters.

You can also visit the Authority's website to look for current notices about waiting lists, program rules, and required documents. The website will tell you what to bring if you visit in person and what the current processing times are.

Section 8 vouchers in Fresno

A Section 8 voucher is a document that allows you to rent from a private landlord while the Authority pays part of your rent. You choose the unit and the landlord — the Authority does not assign you to a specific apartment. The landlord must agree to participate in the program and accept the voucher as payment.

To get a voucher, your household income must be below 50% of the area median income, though some vouchers are reserved for people at 30% of median income or below. In Fresno County, these thresholds change yearly. When you call the Authority, ask them for the current income limits for your household size.

Once you have a voucher, you pay a portion of the rent yourself — usually 30% of your household income — and the Authority pays the rest, up to a maximum amount called the "payment standard." If you find an apartment that rents for more than the payment standard, you can still rent it, but you pay the difference out of pocket. Many people look for units that rent at or below the payment standard to avoid this extra cost.

You must recertify your income and household composition every year. This means you provide documents proving your current income and household members. If your income increases significantly, your rent share may go up. If your income decreases, your rent share may go down.

Public housing in Fresno

The Fresno Housing Authority also owns and operates public housing apartments. These are buildings the Authority owns directly, and they are rented only to people who meet income limits. Public housing is different from Section 8 because the Authority is your landlord, not a private property owner.

Income limits for public housing are the same as for Section 8 vouchers — you must be below 50% of area median income. Your rent is calculated the same way: you pay 30% of your household income, and the Authority covers the rest. You must also recertify your income yearly.

Public housing waiting lists are also typically closed or very long. Ask the Authority about current availability and whether you can be added to a waiting list. Some people prefer public housing because the Authority is required to maintain the units to federal standards, though the condition and location of public housing varies.

What documents you will need

When you contact the Fresno Housing Authority to ask about waiting lists or to begin the process, have the following documents ready or be prepared to gather them:

  • Photo identification for each household member
  • Proof of income for the past 30 days (pay stubs, benefit letters, tax returns)
  • Proof of citizenship or may be able to access immigration status
  • Social Security numbers for all household members
  • Proof of residency in Fresno County (utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency)
  • Information about any criminal history (the Authority will ask)

The Authority may ask for additional documents depending on your situation. If you are self-employed, you may need to provide tax returns and bank statements. If you receive benefits, you will need benefit letters. Call ahead and ask what documents are required for your specific household so you can gather them before you visit.

Income limits and rent calculations

The Fresno Housing Authority uses federal income limits that are set each year based on the area median income. These limits vary by household size. A single person has a lower limit than a family of four. The Authority publishes these limits on its website and can tell you the current limits over the phone.

Your rent is always calculated as 30% of your gross household income, unless you are elderly or have a disability, in which case the Authority may allow a lower percentage. Gross income includes wages, self-employment income, benefits, child support, and other regular income. It does not include one-time payments or gifts.

If your income changes during the year — you get a raise, lose a job, or start receiving benefits — you should report it to the Authority. Your rent share will be recalculated. If your income goes down, your rent may go down. If it goes up significantly, your rent will go up at your next recertification.

What happens after you receive a voucher

Once you are approved for a Section 8 voucher, the Authority gives you a document that shows landlords you have a voucher. You then search for an apartment on your own. You can look anywhere in Fresno County, and in some cases in other counties, depending on the Authority's portability rules.

When you find an apartment you want to rent, you tell the landlord you have a Section 8 voucher. The landlord must agree to participate in the program. The Authority will inspect the unit to make sure it meets housing quality standards — it must be safe, have working utilities, and meet basic building codes. If the unit passes inspection, the Authority signs a lease with the landlord, and you move in.

You pay your share of the rent to the landlord each month. The Authority pays its share directly to the landlord. If you move, you can use your voucher to rent a different unit, as long as it meets the Authority's standards and the landlord agrees to participate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Section 8 voucher?

Wait times vary widely depending on whether the waiting list is open and how many people are ahead of you. In Fresno, wait times have ranged from several months to several years. Call the Authority to ask about current wait times. Some people are never called because they move away or their circumstances change before a voucher becomes available.

Can I use my voucher if I move out of Fresno?

You may be able to move your voucher to another county under a program called "portability," but rules vary. Contact the Fresno Housing Authority before you move to ask whether your voucher can be used in your new location. If you move without permission, you may lose your voucher.

What happens if my landlord wants to evict me?

The Authority cannot prevent an eviction, but you have the same legal rights as any tenant. If your landlord files for eviction, you can defend yourself in court. Tell the Authority about the eviction so they understand what is happening. If you lose your housing, you can reapply for a voucher or public housing when you have a new address.

Do I have to pay the Authority directly?

No. You pay your share of the rent to your landlord, just like any tenant. The Authority pays its share directly to the landlord. You do not send money to the Housing Authority unless you owe a debt from a previous lease or program.

What if my income goes up — will I lose my voucher?

Not when ready. Your rent share will increase at your next recertification. If your income rises above the program limit and stays there for a certain period, you may eventually lose your voucher, but the Authority will tell you when that happens. Some people keep their vouchers even after their income rises, depending on the program rules in effect at the time.