What the Commerce Housing Authority does

The Commerce Housing Authority is a public agency that manages public housing and rental information programs for low-income residents in Commerce, California. It owns and operates apartment complexes and administers voucher programs that help tenants afford rent in the private market. The authority does not build or finance homes for purchase — it focuses on rental housing and subsidies.

The agency answers to a board of commissioners and operates under state and federal housing law. If you live in Commerce or are looking to move there, the Housing Authority is the body that determines whether you can access public housing units or vouchers, sets rent amounts for those units, and handles lease enforcement and maintenance.

Key Takeaways

  • The Commerce Housing Authority manages public housing units and rental vouchers for low-income residents in Commerce, California.
  • Public housing units are owned and operated by the authority; vouchers let you rent from private landlords with the authority paying part of your rent.
  • Income limits, family size, and citizenship or immigration status determine whether you can participate in either program.
  • The authority's waiting lists are often closed or have long wait times, so you should contact them directly to learn the current status.
  • Rent in public housing is typically 30 percent of your household income, and voucher rent works the same way.

Public housing units versus rental vouchers

The Commerce Housing Authority operates two main programs. Public housing means the authority owns the building and you rent directly from them. Your rent is set at 30 percent of your household income, and the authority handles maintenance and repairs. Public housing units in Commerce are limited in number, and waiting lists are often closed.

Rental vouchers (also called Section 8 vouchers) work differently. The authority gives you a voucher that covers part of your rent at a private landlord's property. You find your own apartment, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and the authority pays the landlord directly. You pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent. Like public housing, your share is typically 30 percent of your income.

Vouchers give you more choice in where you live, but they require a landlord willing to participate. Public housing is more stable but offers fewer options and longer waits. Both programs have income limits and other requirements you must meet.

Income limits and household requirements

The Commerce Housing Authority sets income limits based on family size and updates them yearly. These limits change, so you should contact the authority directly for current numbers. Generally, a single person's income must fall below a certain threshold, and larger households have higher limits. The authority counts all household income, including wages, Social Security, child support, and other sources.

You must also be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status. The authority will ask for proof of citizenship or immigration documents. Families with children, elderly people, and people with disabilities may have priority in some cases, though this varies by program and available funding.

The authority conducts a background check and reviews your rental history. Evictions, criminal convictions, and other factors may disqualify you or delay approval. Each case is reviewed individually, so past issues do not automatically mean you cannot participate.

How to contact the Commerce Housing Authority

The Commerce Housing Authority office is located in Commerce and handles all inquiries about public housing and vouchers. You can visit in person, call, or check their website for current information about waiting list status, income limits, and required documents. The office staff can tell you whether the waiting list is open, how long the wait typically is, and what you need to bring to start the process.

When you contact them, have your Social Security number, proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), and identification ready. If you are explore for a voucher, you will also need to know your household size and current housing situation. The authority can walk you through what documents to gather before you visit.

Waiting lists and how long approval takes

The Commerce Housing Authority maintains separate waiting lists for public housing and vouchers. Both lists are often closed because demand exceeds available units and vouchers. When a list is closed, you cannot add your name until it reopens, which may be months or years later. The authority announces when lists reopen, usually through their website or by phone.

If you are on an open waiting list, the time to approval varies widely. Public housing can take months to years depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many units become available. Voucher waiting lists are often even longer. Once your name reaches the top and you are contacted, the approval process itself typically takes four to eight weeks.

You should call the authority regularly to confirm your name is still on the list and to ask about current wait times. Some people wait years and never receive an offer. Having your name on the list does not may provide housing or a voucher.

Rent calculation and what you pay

In both public housing and voucher programs, your rent is calculated as 30 percent of your household's gross monthly income. If your household earns $2,000 per month, you pay $600 in rent. The authority uses your income at the time of approval and recalculates it yearly during recertification.

If your income drops, your rent may go down. If your income rises, your rent goes up. The authority will ask for updated pay stubs and tax returns each year to verify income. If you do not report income changes, you may owe back rent or lose your housing or voucher.

In public housing, the authority collects your rent directly. With a voucher, you pay the landlord the difference between the voucher amount and the full rent. If the landlord charges $1,200 and your voucher covers $900, you pay $300 plus any utilities not covered by the voucher.

Lease terms and your rights as a tenant

Public housing tenants sign a lease with the Commerce Housing Authority. The lease covers your rights and responsibilities, including maintenance requests, guest policies, and what happens if you break the lease. The authority must provide habitable housing and make repairs within a reasonable time. You must keep the unit clean, pay rent on time, and follow community rules.

With a voucher, you sign a lease with the private landlord, but the voucher program has its own rules. The landlord cannot charge more than the voucher allows, and the unit must pass an inspection. You have the same tenant rights as any renter, plus protections specific to the voucher program. If the landlord violates the lease or fails to maintain the unit, you can contact the Housing Authority for help.

Both programs allow the authority to terminate your lease if you violate terms, such as not paying rent, damaging the unit, or breaking program rules. You have the right to notice and a hearing before termination in most cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Commerce Housing Authority and Section 8?

The Commerce Housing Authority is the local agency. Section 8 is the federal voucher program it administers. When people say "Section 8," they usually mean the voucher program run by the Housing Authority. The authority also runs public housing, which is separate from Section 8.

Can I own a home and still use a Housing Authority voucher?

No. Vouchers are for renters only. If you own a home, you do not meet the requirements for a voucher. Public housing is also rental only. The Housing Authority does not help with home purchases or mortgages.

What happens if I get a job and my income goes over the limit?

You do not lose your housing or voucher when ready. The authority allows income to exceed the limit for a period, usually one year, before you must leave. This is called "income recertification." After that period, if your income stays above the limit, you will be asked to move out or your voucher will end. Some programs have exceptions for elderly people or people with disabilities.

How do I know if the waiting list is open?

Call the Commerce Housing Authority directly or visit their office. They can tell you whether the public housing list and voucher list are open or closed. You can also check their website for announcements. Do not rely on outdated information — waiting list status changes, so call to confirm before making plans.

Can I transfer my voucher if I move out of Commerce?

Vouchers are tied to the Housing Authority that issued them. If you move to another city or county, you may be able to transfer your voucher to that area's Housing Authority, but it is not automatic. Contact the Commerce Housing Authority before you move to learn about portability rules and whether the receiving authority has space in their program.