What the Housing Authority of Santa Clara County does

The Housing Authority of Santa Clara County (HACSC) is a public agency that runs rental information programs, manages public housing, and administers Section 8 vouchers for people in Santa Clara County. It does not build or own most of the housing — it pays landlords on behalf of tenants who meet income limits, and it maintains a waiting list for people seeking vouchers. The agency is separate from the county government itself, though it operates under state and federal rules.

HACSC serves renters in unincorporated Santa Clara County and in some cities that have contracts with the agency. If you live in San Jose, Palo Alto, or Mountain View, those cities run their own housing authorities, so you would contact them instead. Checking which city you live in matters because waiting lists and program rules differ between agencies.

Key Takeaways

  • HACSC administers Section 8 vouchers and rental information, but maintains separate waiting lists for each program, and both are typically closed to new applicants.
  • You must live in unincorporated Santa Clara County or in a city that contracts with HACSC — San Jose, Palo Alto, and Mountain View run their own housing authorities.
  • The agency's main office is in San Jose, and you can reach it by phone or mail to ask whether a waiting list is open or to request information about current programs.
  • Section 8 vouchers take years to receive once you are on the waiting list, so rental information programs may help faster if you need money within weeks.
  • HACSC requires proof of income, residency, and a valid lease or rental agreement before processing any request for information.

Section 8 vouchers and the waiting list

A Section 8 voucher is a federal subsidy that pays a portion of your rent directly to your landlord. You find your own apartment, and the voucher covers roughly 30 percent of your income or a set amount, whichever is less. The rest you pay yourself. HACSC maintains the waiting list for Section 8 in its service area.

The waiting list is almost always closed. When it opens, HACSC announces it on its website and accepts applications for a limited time — sometimes a few weeks. Once the list closes, the agency works through existing applicants, which can take years. You can call HACSC at (408) 275-2550 to ask whether the list is currently open or to request information about when it might reopen.

If you are on the waiting list, HACSC will contact you when a voucher becomes available. You then have a set time to find an apartment and have the landlord sign a lease. The landlord must agree to accept Section 8 — not all do — and the unit must pass a housing inspection. Once approved, HACSC pays the landlord each month.

Rental information programs HACSC runs

HACSC administers emergency rental information and other short-term programs funded by federal and state money. These programs pay rent arrears (money you already owe) or, in some cases, upcoming rent. Unlike Section 8, rental information does not require you to be on a waiting list — you explore when the program is open, and the agency makes a decision within weeks.

The programs available change based on funding. HACSC has run emergency rental information for people behind on rent due to job loss or hardship, and it has also administered funds for people at risk of homelessness. To find out which programs are currently open, call the agency or visit its website. When you call, ask specifically whether funds are available and whether the program is accepting new requests.

Rental information programs typically require proof of income, a signed lease, and documentation of the hardship (such as a notice to pay or quit, or a letter from your employer showing job loss). HACSC pays the landlord directly, so you will need your landlord's contact information and banking details. The process usually takes two to six weeks from the time you submit all required documents.

How to contact HACSC and what to bring

The Housing Authority of Santa Clara County's main office is located in San Jose. You can reach the agency by phone at (408) 275-2550 during business hours, or you can mail a request to the address listed on its website. When you call, have your lease and proof of residency ready, and be clear about whether you are asking about Section 8 or rental information.

If you are seeking rental information, gather these documents before you contact the agency: a signed lease or rental agreement, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of residency in the county, and documentation of the hardship (eviction notice, job loss letter, or medical bills). Having these ready speeds up the process.

HACSC also works with community organizations and nonprofits that help people navigate the process process. If you have trouble reaching the agency or understanding the requirements, a local legal aid organization or tenant rights group may be able to help you prepare your request.

Differences between HACSC and city housing authorities

Santa Clara County has multiple housing authorities because some cities choose to run their own programs instead of using HACSC. San Jose, Palo Alto, and Mountain View each have their own housing authority with separate waiting lists and programs. If you live in one of those cities, you must contact that city's authority, not HACSC.

The rules and wait times differ between agencies. San Jose's housing authority, for example, maintains its own Section 8 waiting list, which operates independently from HACSC's list. If you are unsure which authority serves your address, call HACSC first — staff can tell you which agency to contact based on where you live.

What happens after you receive a voucher or information

If you receive a Section 8 voucher, HACSC remains involved for as long as you use it. The agency inspects your apartment annually to may support it meets housing standards, and it recalculates your rent contribution each year based on your income. If your income changes, you must report it to HACSC. If you move, you can transfer your voucher to a new apartment in the same county, though the landlord must accept Section 8.

If you receive rental information, HACSC's involvement typically ends once the payment is made to your landlord. The agency does not monitor your lease after that. However, if you received information for arrears and you fall behind again, you may be able to request help a second time if funds remain available — this depends on the specific program rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Wait times vary widely depending on how many people are ahead of you on the list. In Santa Clara County, people have waited anywhere from several years to over a decade. The agency cannot predict when your turn will come. Call HACSC to ask for an estimate based on your position on the list.

Can I get rental information if I have an eviction notice?

Yes. In fact, an active eviction case often moves you higher on the priority list for rental information. Bring the notice to your appointment or include it with your request. HACSC may contact the court on your behalf to ask for a delay while your request is being processed.

What if my landlord will not accept Section 8?

Not all landlords accept Section 8 vouchers. If your current landlord refuses, you will need to find a different apartment with a landlord willing to participate. HACSC staff can provide a list of landlords in the area who have accepted vouchers in the past, though the list is not exhaustive.

Do I have to pay back rental information?

No. Rental information is a grant, not a loan. You do not repay it. HACSC pays your landlord directly, and once the payment is made, the information is complete. However, if you received funds by mistake or provided false information, the agency may pursue recovery.

What if I live in San Jose — do I contact HACSC or the city?

Contact the Housing Authority of the City of San Jose, not HACSC. San Jose runs its own Section 8 program and rental information. You can find contact information for the city's housing authority on the City of San Jose's website.