What the San Francisco Housing Authority does

The San Francisco Housing Authority (SFHA) is a public agency that manages public housing and rental vouchers for low-income households in San Francisco. It does not build or own most of the housing stock in the city — it administers federal programs that help people afford existing apartments. The agency runs two main programs: public housing (apartments it owns directly) and the Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly Section 8), which pays a portion of rent at privately owned buildings.

SFHA is separate from the city's Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing and from private nonprofits that also administer housing programs. When you contact SFHA, you are reaching a government agency that handles federal dollars and follows federal rules about income limits, lease terms, and tenant rights.

Key Takeaways

  • SFHA runs public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers; it does not run emergency rental information, permanent supportive housing, or other city programs.
  • Both programs have long waiting lists — the voucher list is typically closed to new applicants and may not reopen for years.
  • Public housing and vouchers require your household income to fall below a set limit, which varies by family size and changes yearly.
  • You contact SFHA directly to ask about waiting list status, but you cannot join a closed list; you must wait for it to reopen.
  • If you need housing now, other city agencies and nonprofits may have faster programs, even if SFHA is not an option.

Public housing managed by SFHA

SFHA owns and operates public housing complexes throughout San Francisco. These are apartments where SFHA is the landlord. Rent is set at 30 percent of your household's gross monthly income, with a minimum rent (usually around $25 to $50 per month). You do not pay market rate; SFHA subsidizes the difference between what you pay and the actual cost to operate the building.

Public housing in San Francisco includes family developments, senior housing, and buildings for people with disabilities. Each development has its own waiting list. Some lists are open; others are closed. You can contact SFHA to find out which developments are accepting new names and what the wait time is for each one. Wait times typically range from several months to several years, depending on the development and the number of people ahead of you.

To be considered for public housing, your household income must not exceed the income limit set by HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) for San Francisco. That limit changes each year. You will also need to pass a background check and meet lease requirements — for example, no recent evictions or criminal convictions related to drug use.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

The Housing Choice Voucher program gives you a voucher that covers part of your rent at a privately owned apartment. You find the apartment yourself, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and SFHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent. You pay the rest (usually 30 percent of your income). The voucher amount is set by SFHA and does not change if the landlord raises the rent, so you may pay more out of pocket if rent goes up.

The SFHA voucher waiting list has been closed to new applicants for many years. SFHA does not currently have a date for when it will reopen. You can call SFHA to confirm the list status, but you cannot join until the list opens. When it does reopen, there is usually a limited window (a few weeks or months) to submit your name. SFHA announces reopenings through its website and through community organizations, so check back periodically or ask a local nonprofit to alert you.

If you are already on the waiting list, you can contact SFHA to ask your position. Waiting times for vouchers in San Francisco have historically been five to ten years or longer, though this varies. SFHA prioritizes certain households — for example, people experiencing homelessness or those with disabilities — which may move them up the list.

Income limits and household size

Both public housing and vouchers have income limits. Your household's gross monthly income (before taxes) must fall below the limit set by HUD for San Francisco. The limit depends on your family size. For example, the limit for a single person is lower than for a family of four. These limits are adjusted each year, usually in April or May.

Income includes wages, Social Security, disability benefits, child support, and other regular money coming into your household. It does not include one-time payments or certain benefits like SNAP (food stamps). SFHA will ask you to provide recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit letters to verify your income. If your income exceeds the limit, you will not be considered, even if you are on the waiting list.

You can contact SFHA to ask what the current income limit is for your household size. You can also find this information on the SFHA website or by calling 311 (San Francisco's general information line), which can connect you to SFHA or provide the current limits.

How to contact SFHA and check waiting list status

The San Francisco Housing Authority's main office is located at 1815 Egbert Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94124. You can reach SFHA by phone at (415) 715-3000. Hours and specific department numbers are on the SFHA website (sfha.org). You can also call 311 and ask to be transferred to SFHA or to receive information about public housing and vouchers.

When you call, have your name, address, and phone number ready. If you are already on a waiting list, have any reference number or case number SFHA gave you. Ask specifically whether the program you are interested in (public housing or vouchers) is currently accepting new applicants, and if so, how to submit your name. If the list is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen and whether you can be notified when it does.

You can also visit the SFHA office in person to ask questions or submit paperwork. Some programs allow you to explore online; check the SFHA website to see which ones. Do not assume you can explore by mail alone — call first to confirm what method SFHA accepts for the program you want.

What SFHA does not run

SFHA does not administer emergency rental information, permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, or most other housing programs in San Francisco. Those are run by the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, nonprofits, or other city agencies. If you need housing now and SFHA's waiting lists are closed or too long, you should contact other programs. Call 311 or visit the city's housing website to learn about programs that may have shorter wait times or different income requirements.

Similarly, SFHA does not handle tenant rights disputes, landlord complaints, or eviction prevention — those are handled by the Rent Board, the Tenant Union, and legal aid organizations. If you are in a dispute with a landlord or facing eviction, contact one of those organizations instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for public housing and vouchers at the same time?

Yes. The two programs are separate, and you can be on both waiting lists. However, if you receive a voucher, you may be removed from the public housing list, or you may have to choose which program you want. Ask SFHA about this when you explore, because the rules can change.

What happens if my income goes up after I move into public housing or get a voucher?

If you are in public housing, your rent will increase to 30 percent of your new income. You will still have a home, but you will pay more. If you are on a voucher and your income rises above a certain threshold, SFHA may terminate your voucher. Ask SFHA what the income limits are for continued occupancy in each program.

How long does it take to hear back after I submit my name to SFHA?

If the waiting list is open and you submit your process, SFHA will send you a confirmation. After that, you wait your turn on the list. There is no set timeline for when you will be called — it depends on how many people are ahead of you. SFHA may contact you every year or two to confirm you still want to be on the list.

What if I was denied for public housing or a voucher?

SFHA will tell you the reason — usually income too high, a criminal conviction, or an eviction on your record. Ask whether you can reapply after a certain time period or whether the decision can be reviewed. Some reasons for denial are permanent; others may change over time.

Is there a fee to explore to SFHA programs?

No. SFHA does not charge an process fee. If someone asks you for money to help you get on a waiting list or to move up the list faster, that is a scam. Report it to SFHA or to the San Francisco Police Department.