What the San Bernardino Housing Authority does

The San Bernardino County Housing Authority is a public agency that administers housing programs for low-income residents across unincorporated San Bernardino County. It runs the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, manages public housing properties, and handles emergency rental information when funding is available. The Authority does not build or own most of the housing itself — it pays landlords on behalf of tenants who meet income limits, and it sets the rules for who can participate and how long they can stay in the program.

The Housing Authority's main office is located in San Bernardino, but it serves the entire county outside city limits. If you live within a city boundary — like in the city of San Bernardino itself, Victorville, Fontana, or Rialto — you may need to contact that city's housing authority or redevelopment agency instead, because some cities run their own programs. The county authority's service area includes unincorporated communities and smaller towns that do not have their own housing departments.

Key Takeaways

  • The San Bernardino County Housing Authority runs Section 8 vouchers, public housing, and emergency rental information, but does not own most of the properties where tenants live.
  • If you live inside a city boundary, you may need to contact that city's housing office instead of the county authority.
  • Section 8 waiting lists in San Bernardino County are typically closed, and reopening dates are announced on the Authority's website and through 211.
  • The Authority requires proof of income, citizenship or may be able to access immigration status, and a background check before approving a voucher or public housing placement.
  • Emergency rental information is available when funded, but programs run out of money and reopen on a schedule set by the county.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers in San Bernardino County

The Section 8 program is the largest housing information program the Authority runs. It gives a voucher to a tenant, and the tenant uses that voucher to rent from a private landlord. The Authority pays the landlord a portion of the rent — usually 70 to 80 percent — and the tenant pays the rest. The tenant's share is capped at 30 percent of their household income, so if your income is very low, your out-of-pocket rent is also very low.

The San Bernardino County Housing Authority's Section 8 waiting list has been closed for several years. When the list reopens, the Authority announces it on its website and through the 211 referral line. Reopenings are not scheduled on a fixed date — they happen when the Authority has funding and capacity to process new applications. You can call the Authority's main office to ask whether the list is currently open, or check the website for the most recent announcement.

To be considered for Section 8, your household income must fall below 50 percent of the area median income for San Bernardino County. The exact income limit depends on household size and changes each year. You must also be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status, pass a background check, and have a valid Social Security number for each household member. The Authority will also verify your rental history and may contact previous landlords.

Public Housing managed by the San Bernardino Housing Authority

The Authority owns and operates public housing apartments in several locations across the county. These are different from Section 8 vouchers — the Authority itself is the landlord, and you rent directly from the Authority rather than from a private property owner. Public housing rents are also based on 30 percent of household income, so your payment adjusts if your income changes.

Public housing waiting lists are also typically closed, but they reopen more frequently than Section 8 lists. The Authority maintains separate waiting lists for different public housing communities, so you may be able to join a list for one property while another is closed. Contact the Authority directly to find out which properties currently have open lists and what the wait time is for each one.

Income limits for public housing are the same as for Section 8 — 50 percent of area median income — and you must meet the same citizenship and background check requirements. Public housing is often a faster route than Section 8 if you need housing urgently, because some properties have shorter waiting periods.

Emergency rental information through San Bernardino County

When the county receives federal or state emergency rental information funding, the Housing Authority distributes it to tenants who are behind on rent and at risk of eviction. These programs pay the landlord directly, cover rent you already owe rather than future rent, and require proof that your hardship is recent — usually within the last three to six months.

Emergency rental information is not always available. Funding comes from federal or state grants, and once the money runs out, the program closes until new funding arrives. The Authority announces when applications are open on its website and through 211. If the program is closed when you call, ask when it is expected to reopen, because the schedule is usually predictable.

To explore for emergency rental information, you will need a signed lease, proof of income loss or hardship, and your landlord's contact information. The Authority will contact your landlord directly to arrange payment. Processing usually takes two to six weeks, so contact the program as soon as you fall behind on rent rather than waiting until an eviction notice is filed.

How to contact the San Bernardino Housing Authority

The Housing Authority's main office is at 1641 North E Street, San Bernardino, CA 92405. You can reach them by phone at (909) 890-0341. The office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. If you are calling from outside the county or prefer a referral, you can also dial 211 and ask for housing information in San Bernardino County — the 211 operator can tell you which programs are currently open and provide the Authority's contact information.

When you call, have your household income information, Social Security numbers, and any lease or eviction documents ready. If you are calling about Section 8 or public housing, ask specifically whether the waiting list is open and how long the wait typically is. If you are calling about emergency rental information, ask whether the program is currently accepting applications and what documents you need to bring.

Income limits and what counts as income

The San Bernardino County Housing Authority uses the federal definition of income, which includes wages, self-employment income, Social Security, disability benefits, child support, and unemployment benefits. The exact income limit for each program changes every year and depends on your household size. For 2024, the limit for a single person is roughly $35,000 to $40,000 per year for Section 8 and public housing, but this varies and you should confirm the current limit with the Authority.

The Authority will ask you to provide recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit statements to prove your income. If you are self-employed, you will need to provide tax returns for the past two years. If you receive benefits, bring a recent statement from the benefit agency. If your income is zero or very low, bring documentation of that as well — the Authority does not disqualify people for having no income, but it needs proof of what you actually earn.

Background checks and criminal history

The Housing Authority conducts a background check on all applicants for Section 8, public housing, and emergency rental information. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions — particularly drug-related felonies or crimes of violence — may. The Authority also checks your rental history and may deny you if you have been evicted for non-payment or lease violations within the past few years.

If you have a criminal record or eviction history, contact the Authority before explore to ask whether you are likely to be approved. Some convictions are older than the Authority's lookback period, and some can be explained or mitigated. Being honest upfront is better than having an process denied after weeks of processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to live in San Bernardino County to explore?

You must live in the unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County to explore to the county Housing Authority. If you live within a city boundary — such as the city of San Bernardino, Victorville, Fontana, Rialto, or Chino — contact that city's housing office instead. The city may have its own programs or may refer you back to the county authority depending on where you live.

How long is the waiting list for Section 8?

Wait times vary and depend on when the list reopens and how many people are ahead of you. When the list is open, the Authority can tell you the current wait time. In San Bernardino County, waits have historically been several years, but this changes based on funding and how many vouchers become available. Call the Authority or 211 to ask about the current wait.

What happens if I get a job while I'm on Section 8?

Your rent payment will increase because it is based on 30 percent of your income. You must report income changes to the Authority within 30 days. The Authority will recalculate your rent and send you a new lease addendum. You do not lose your voucher because you earn more money — you just pay a larger share of the rent.

Can I use my Section 8 voucher to rent anywhere in the county?

You can rent from any private landlord who accepts Section 8 vouchers, but the landlord must agree to participate in the program. Not all landlords accept vouchers. The Authority has a list of participating landlords, and you can also search for properties on your own and ask the landlord whether they accept Section 8. The rent must also be within the Authority's payment standard for your area.

What if I'm homeless right now — can I still explore?

Yes. You do not need a current address to explore for Section 8 or public housing. You can use a shelter address, a friend's address, or a mailing address where you can receive mail. The Authority will work with you to verify your identity and income using the documents you have available. Contact the Authority or a local homeless services organization to learn about your options.