What the San Bernardino Housing Authority does

The San Bernardino Housing Authority (SBHA) is a public agency that runs housing programs for low-income residents in the city of San Bernardino. It administers Section 8 vouchers, manages public housing properties, and handles other affordable housing initiatives. The Authority is separate from the city government itself — it is an independent public entity with its own board and budget.

The most common reason people contact SBHA is to get on the waiting list for a Section 8 voucher, which subsidizes rent at a private landlord's property. SBHA also owns and operates some public housing units directly. Both programs have waiting lists, and both have income limits that vary based on household size.

SBHA's main office is located in San Bernardino, and that is where you go to request information, ask about waiting list status, or submit documents. You can also reach them by phone or mail, though in-person visits often move faster for document submission.

Key Takeaways

  • SBHA runs Section 8 vouchers and public housing; both have separate waiting lists and income limits based on household size.
  • You must live or work in San Bernardino to be considered for SBHA programs, and your income must fall below the limit set for your household size.
  • Waiting lists can be years long, and SBHA opens and closes them depending on how many people are waiting; you cannot know your position without calling or visiting.
  • Once you receive a voucher or are offered a unit, SBHA will conduct a home inspection and verify your income and background before you move in.
  • You pay a portion of your rent (usually 30 percent of your income) and SBHA pays the rest directly to your landlord.

Section 8 vouchers through SBHA

A Section 8 voucher is a subsidy that covers part of your rent when you rent from a private landlord who agrees to accept the voucher. You find your own apartment, the landlord agrees to participate in the program, and then SBHA pays the difference between your share and the full rent. Your share is typically 30 percent of your gross monthly income, though SBHA can adjust this in some cases.

To get on the waiting list, you must meet SBHA's income limits. For a single person, the limit is usually around $35,000 to $40,000 per year, depending on the current year and SBHA's rules. For a family of four, it is typically $55,000 to $65,000 per year. These numbers change annually, so you should contact SBHA directly to confirm the current limits for your household size.

The waiting list is long — often several years — and SBHA periodically closes it when too many people are waiting. You will not know your position on the list or when you might be called without contacting SBHA directly. Once your name reaches the top, you have a limited time to find an apartment and provide SBHA with a lease before your opportunity expires.

Public housing units managed by SBHA

SBHA owns and operates public housing apartments and townhomes throughout San Bernardino. These are different from Section 8 vouchers: you rent directly from SBHA, not from a private landlord. The rent you pay is still based on 30 percent of your income, and SBHA covers the rest of the operating costs.

Public housing has its own waiting list, separate from the Section 8 list. Income limits are the same, but the wait time and availability vary by property. Some SBHA properties have shorter waits than others, and some may not have openings at all.

Living in public housing means SBHA is your landlord. They handle maintenance, set lease terms, and can evict you for lease violations just as a private landlord can. The main difference is that your rent is always tied to your income, so if your income drops, your rent drops too.

How to contact SBHA and what documents you need

The San Bernardino Housing Authority's main office is at 750 East Gilbert Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401. You can visit in person during business hours, call their main line, or mail documents to this address. Phone numbers and hours change, so check SBHA's official website or call directory information to confirm current contact information.

When you contact SBHA about getting on a waiting list, have ready: a photo ID, proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), and proof of residency or employment in San Bernardino (a utility bill, lease, or employment letter). If you are explore as a family, bring identification for all household members.

SBHA will ask you to complete an process form. You can usually request this by phone or in person. Some housing authorities now offer online applications, but you should confirm with SBHA whether this is an option. After you submit your process, SBHA will verify your information and add you to the waiting list if you meet the requirements.

Income limits and household size

SBHA sets income limits based on the area median income (AMI) for San Bernardino County. Most programs serve households at or below 50 to 60 percent of AMI, though some programs may go higher. The limits are different for each household size: a single person has a lower limit than a family of four.

Income includes wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security, disability payments, child support, and other regular sources of money. SBHA counts gross income before taxes. If your income is right at the limit, you may still be considered; SBHA has some flexibility, but you should ask directly.

If your income exceeds the limit when you explore, you cannot get on the waiting list. If your income rises after you are already receiving a voucher or living in public housing, SBHA will not when ready remove you, but your rent will increase, and you may eventually be asked to leave if your income stays too high for too long.

What happens after you are offered a unit or voucher

Once SBHA calls you from the waiting list, you have a set amount of time — usually 30 to 60 days — to find an apartment (if you are getting a voucher) or accept the public housing unit you are offered. If you do not meet this important date, you lose your spot and go back to the end of the waiting list or are removed entirely.

Before you move in, SBHA will conduct a home inspection to make sure the unit meets housing quality standards. The landlord (or SBHA itself, if it is public housing) must fix any violations before you can move in. SBHA will also verify your income and run a background check. Criminal history or eviction records may disqualify you, though SBHA considers the age and nature of the offense.

Once you move in, you must report any changes in household composition or income to SBHA within 30 days. If you move, you must notify SBHA before you leave. If you are on a Section 8 voucher, you can move to a different apartment as long as the new landlord accepts the voucher and the unit passes inspection.

Waiting lists and how long they take

SBHA's waiting lists are typically years long. The exact wait time depends on how many people are ahead of you, how many units become available, and whether SBHA is accepting new applications. Some people wait three to five years or longer before being called.

SBHA periodically closes its waiting lists when they become too long to manage. When a list is closed, you cannot explore. SBHA will announce when lists reopen, usually through local news, community organizations, or its own website. You should check back periodically or contact SBHA directly to find out whether you can explore.

You can be on both the Section 8 waiting list and the public housing waiting list at the same time. Being called from one list does not remove you from the other. If you are called and you accept a unit or voucher, you should notify SBHA that you want to be removed from the other list so someone else can move up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to live in San Bernardino right now to explore?

Most SBHA programs require that you either live or work in San Bernardino. You do not have to own a home or have a permanent address, but you must have some connection to the city. Contact SBHA directly to confirm whether your situation meets their residency requirement.

What if I have an eviction or criminal record?

SBHA will consider your background, but it does not automatically disqualify you. They look at how long ago the event happened, what the offense was, and whether you have addressed the issue since. You should be honest on your process; SBHA will find out anyway during the background check.

Can I use my Section 8 voucher at any apartment?

No. The landlord must agree to accept Section 8, and the unit must pass SBHA's housing quality inspection. Not all landlords participate in the program. You will need to search for apartments and ask landlords whether they accept vouchers before you sign a lease.

What if my income changes after I move in?

You must report income changes to SBHA within 30 days. If your income increases, your rent will increase (still based on 30 percent of your new income). If your income decreases, your rent will decrease. If your income rises significantly above the program limit and stays there, SBHA may eventually terminate your information.

How do I check my position on the waiting list?

You cannot check online. You must contact SBHA by phone or in person and provide your process number or name. SBHA staff can tell you whether your process is still active and may give you an estimate of wait time, though they cannot always predict exactly when you will be called.