What the Concord Housing Authority Does

The Concord Housing Authority is a public agency that manages affordable rental housing and voucher programs in Concord, California. It does not operate statewide or nationally — it serves only Concord residents and people who work in Concord. The agency administers two main programs: public housing (apartments it owns and operates directly) and the Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly Section 8), which lets you rent from a private landlord using a voucher to cover part of your rent.

The Housing Authority does not make loans, grant money, or provide emergency information. It manages housing inventory and vouchers. If you need help paying current rent or avoiding eviction, you would contact your city's emergency rental information program or 211, not the Housing Authority. The Housing Authority's role is to provide long-term affordable housing through one of these two programs.

Key Takeaways

  • The Concord Housing Authority runs public housing units and Housing Choice Vouchers, but only for people who live or work in Concord.
  • Both programs require income verification, and your household income must fall below the area median income limit set each year by HUD.
  • Public housing and vouchers have separate waiting lists; you can be on both at the same time, but you must explore to each one separately.
  • The Housing Authority's waiting lists are often closed, and when they reopen, they fill quickly — check their website or call to learn the current status.
  • Once you receive a voucher or move into public housing, you will pay a portion of your income as rent, typically 30 percent of your gross monthly income.

Public Housing: Apartments Owned by the Housing Authority

Public housing means you rent an apartment that the Concord Housing Authority owns. The Authority maintains the building, handles repairs, and collects rent directly from you. Your rent is set at 30 percent of your household's gross monthly income, regardless of the market rent for that unit. If your income drops, your rent drops. If your income rises, your rent rises.

To be considered for public housing, your household income must not exceed 80 percent of the area median income for Concord. The specific income limit changes each year; you will need to contact the Housing Authority directly or check their website to learn the current limit for your household size. You must also pass a background check and provide proof of residency or employment in Concord.

The Housing Authority maintains a waiting list for public housing. When the list is open, you can submit an process in person at their office. The waiting list is often closed, meaning they are not accepting new applications. Call the Housing Authority at their main number or visit their office to learn whether the list is currently open. If it is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen.

Housing Choice Vouchers: Renting from a Private Landlord

A Housing Choice Voucher is a subsidy that lets you rent from any private landlord in Concord who agrees to participate. You find the apartment yourself, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and the Housing Authority pays the landlord a portion of the rent. You pay the difference — typically 30 percent of your income — directly to the landlord. The voucher covers the rest, up to a limit set by HUD.

Income limits for vouchers are the same as for public housing: your household income must not exceed 80 percent of the area median income. You must also pass a background check and provide proof that you live or work in Concord. Unlike public housing, you are not limited to apartments the Housing Authority owns; you can rent anywhere in Concord as long as the landlord will accept the voucher and the unit meets Housing Authority standards.

The Housing Authority maintains a separate waiting list for vouchers. This list is also frequently closed. When it reopens, it fills quickly — sometimes within days or hours. To learn the current status, contact the Housing Authority directly. If the list is closed, ask whether they maintain a waitlist for future openings or whether you will need to reapply when it opens again.

Income Limits and What You Will Pay

Both programs use the same income threshold: your household income cannot exceed 80 percent of the area median income for Concord. The area median income is set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) each year and varies by household size. A household of one has a different limit than a household of four.

Once you are accepted into either program, your rent is calculated as 30 percent of your gross monthly household income. This is called the "tenant rent." If your income changes — you get a raise, lose a job, or have a change in household size — you must report it to the Housing Authority. Your rent will be recalculated based on your new income. You will need to provide recent pay stubs, tax returns, or other income documentation to verify the change.

To learn the exact income limits for your household size in Concord, contact the Housing Authority directly. They can tell you whether your household income qualifies and what your rent would be based on your current income.

how the process works and What Documents You Need

Applications for public housing and vouchers are submitted in person at the Concord Housing Authority office. You cannot explore online or by mail. Bring a photo ID and proof of income — recent pay stubs, a tax return, or a letter from your employer stating your annual income. If you are unemployed, bring documentation of unemployment benefits or other income sources.

You will also need proof of residency or employment in Concord. A utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement showing your Concord address works for residency. A recent pay stub or letter from your employer showing a Concord work address works for employment. If you do not have either, ask the Housing Authority what documents they will accept.

Bring your Social Security number and be prepared to authorize a background check. The Housing Authority will run a criminal background check and a credit check. Certain criminal convictions or a history of lease violations can disqualify you, but minor offenses or poor credit alone do not automatically disqualify you. Ask the Housing Authority what their specific disqualifying factors are if you have concerns about your background.

Because the waiting lists are often closed, call or visit the office first to confirm that applications are being accepted. If the list is closed, ask when you can expect it to reopen and whether you can get on a notification list.

Waiting Times and What Happens After You explore

Waiting times for public housing and vouchers vary widely depending on demand and the number of units available. In some cases, the wait is several years. In others, it may be shorter. The Housing Authority maintains a waiting list in the order applications are received, though some preferences may explore — for example, people experiencing homelessness or living in substandard housing may be prioritized.

After you submit your process, the Housing Authority will contact you if they need additional information or to schedule an interview. Keep your contact information current with them. If you move, change your phone number, or change your email, notify the Housing Authority when ready. If they cannot reach you, they may remove you from the waiting list.

When a unit or voucher becomes available, the Housing Authority will contact you in the order you appear on the waiting list. You will be asked to come in for an interview and to provide updated income documentation. At that point, your income will be verified again to confirm you still meet the income limit. If your income has risen above the limit, you may be ineligible, so report income changes promptly.

Contact Information and Next Steps

The Concord Housing Authority is located in Concord, California. You can reach them by phone or visit their office in person to ask about current waiting list status, income limits, or process procedures. Their website also lists office hours and contact information.

If you are currently facing a housing crisis — you are behind on rent, facing eviction, or homeless — the Housing Authority is not the right resource. Contact your local 211 service or the City of Concord's community services department to learn about emergency rental information, eviction prevention, or temporary shelter. The Housing Authority manages long-term affordable housing, not emergency information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for both public housing and a voucher at the same time?

Yes. Public housing and vouchers have separate waiting lists and separate applications. You can be on both lists simultaneously. If you receive a voucher first, you can use it while waiting for public housing, or you can decline the voucher and stay on the public housing list. Notify the Housing Authority of any changes to your status.

What if I have a criminal record or eviction history?

The Housing Authority conducts background checks and considers criminal history and lease violations. Not all records disqualify you automatically. Contact the Housing Authority directly to ask about their specific policies. They can tell you whether your particular situation would likely result in denial.

Do I have to work in Concord, or do I just have to live there?

You must either live in Concord or work in Concord. Living there is sufficient; you do not need to work there. Bring a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement showing your Concord address as proof of residency.

What happens to my voucher if I move out of Concord?

If you move outside Concord, you will lose your voucher. The Housing Authority's vouchers are for use only within Concord. If you need to relocate, contact the Housing Authority before you move to understand what will happen to your subsidy.

How often do the waiting lists reopen?

There is no set schedule. The waiting lists reopen when the Housing Authority has capacity to accept new applications, which depends on funding and turnover. Call the Housing Authority to learn the current status and ask when they expect the next opening.