What the Kern County Housing Authority does

The Kern County Housing Authority (KCHA) is a public agency that manages affordable housing programs across Kern County, California. It administers public housing — apartments it owns directly — and the Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly called Section 8, which lets you rent from private landlords using a voucher to cover part of your rent. KCHA also runs other programs including project-based vouchers tied to specific buildings and supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness.

KCHA is separate from your city or county government, though it receives federal funding and must follow federal rules. It is not a landlord for most programs — for Section 8, you find and lease your own apartment, and KCHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent. For public housing, KCHA owns the building and you lease directly from them.

Key Takeaways

  • KCHA runs two main programs: public housing (apartments KCHA owns) and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), which you use to rent from private landlords.
  • Both programs have long waiting lists, and KCHA may not be accepting new applications; call their main office to confirm whether the list is open.
  • Income limits explore to both programs, and they vary by household size; you must earn below the limit to be considered.
  • For Section 8, you pay 30 percent of your income toward rent, and KCHA pays the rest up to a set amount called the payment standard.
  • KCHA's main office is in Bakersfield, but you can reach them by phone or visit in person to ask about current openings and required documents.

Public housing through KCHA

KCHA owns and operates public housing apartments in several communities across Kern County. When you live in KCHA public housing, you lease directly from KCHA, and your rent is set at 30 percent of your household income. KCHA covers maintenance, utilities in most cases, and building operations. Public housing is not temporary — you can stay as long as you meet lease terms and income limits.

To be considered for public housing, your household income must fall below the limit for your area and household size. These limits change yearly. You will need to provide proof of income, citizenship or may be able to access immigration status, and consent to a background check. KCHA has a waiting list for public housing, and wait times vary by location and building type.

Public housing communities in Kern County include family apartments, senior housing, and housing for people with disabilities. Some buildings have on-site services like job training or health clinics. Ask KCHA which properties currently have openings and what services each offers.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

The Housing Choice Voucher program, or Section 8, gives you a voucher that covers part of your rent when you lease from a private landlord. You find your own apartment, and KCHA pays the landlord directly. You pay the difference between your share (30 percent of your income) and what KCHA pays. If your income is very low, your share may be as little as $50 or $100 per month.

KCHA sets a payment standard — the maximum amount it will pay for a one-bedroom, two-bedroom, or other unit size in your area. If you find an apartment that rents for less than the payment standard, you pay less. If the apartment costs more, you pay the difference out of pocket, or you can negotiate a lower rent with the landlord.

The Section 8 waiting list in Kern County is typically closed to new applications. KCHA opens the list periodically, usually for a limited time. Call KCHA to ask when the list might reopen and whether you can get on a notification list to be told when applications are accepted again.

Income limits and household size

Both public housing and Section 8 have income limits based on the area median income for Kern County. The limits are higher for larger households. For example, the limit for a single person is lower than for a family of four. These limits are set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and change each year.

To find the current income limits, contact KCHA directly or visit their office. You will need to know your household size and total monthly or annual income. Income includes wages, Social Security, disability payments, child support, and other regular money coming in. Some types of income are excluded, such as student financial aid or certain disability benefits — ask KCHA which income counts toward the limit.

If your income is above the limit, you will not be considered. If your income is below the limit and you are selected from the waiting list, KCHA will verify your income with documents like recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit letters.

How to contact KCHA and what documents to bring

KCHA's main office is located in Bakersfield. You can reach them by phone, email, or by visiting in person. When you call, ask whether the waiting list for the program you are interested in is open, what the current wait time is, and what documents you need to bring if you want to explore.

Bring or be ready to provide: a government-issued photo ID, proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit letters), proof of citizenship or may be able to access immigration status, and consent to a background check and credit check. If you are currently homeless or in temporary housing, bring documentation of your current living situation. If you have a disability, bring medical documentation if you want to request reasonable accommodations.

KCHA staff can answer questions about which program might work for your situation, explain the lease terms, and tell you what happens after you submit your information. If you do not speak English fluently, ask whether an interpreter is available.

Waiting lists and how long they take

Both public housing and Section 8 have waiting lists. The length of the wait depends on how many people are ahead of you and how many apartments or vouchers become available. In Kern County, wait times can range from several months to several years, depending on the program and location.

KCHA prioritizes some applicants — for example, people experiencing homelessness or those with disabilities may move up the list. Ask KCHA whether any priority categories explore to you. Once you are on the list, KCHA will contact you when a unit or voucher is available. You will have a set amount of time to respond and complete the lease process.

If you move or your contact information changes, tell KCHA right away so they can reach you. If you do not respond when KCHA contacts you, you may be removed from the list and have to reapply.

Rent, lease terms, and tenant responsibilities

In public housing, your rent is always 30 percent of your household income, with a minimum rent set by KCHA (usually $25 to $50). If your income changes, your rent changes. You must report income changes to KCHA within 30 days. Your lease is for one year and renews automatically unless KCHA or you end it.

In Section 8, you sign a lease with the private landlord for the full market rent. KCHA pays its share directly to the landlord, and you pay your share. If the landlord raises the rent, KCHA will not pay more than the payment standard, so your share goes up. You can ask the landlord to keep the rent at or below the payment standard, or you can move to a cheaper apartment.

In both programs, you must keep the apartment clean and safe, pay your share of rent on time, and follow lease rules. KCHA can evict you for non-payment, lease violations, or if your income rises above the limit and you do not move out within a grace period. If you face eviction, contact KCHA when ready to discuss your options.

Other KCHA programs and services

Beyond public housing and Section 8, KCHA administers other programs. Project-based vouchers are tied to specific buildings rather than to you — if you move, you lose the voucher. KCHA also runs supportive housing programs for people experiencing homelessness, which combine affordable housing with case management and social services. Some buildings offer on-site job training, mental health services, or health clinics.

KCHA may also administer emergency rental information or other temporary programs funded by the state or federal government. These programs change based on available funding. Call KCHA to ask what programs are currently running and whether you might be considered for any of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if KCHA's waiting list is open?

Call KCHA's main office in Bakersfield and ask whether the waiting list for public housing or Section 8 is currently accepting applications. They can tell you the status and whether you can get on a notification list to be contacted when the list reopens. Lists open and close based on funding and the number of available units or vouchers.

What if my income is above the limit?

You will not be considered for public housing or Section 8 if your income exceeds the limit. Some KCHA programs may have higher limits or no income limit at all — ask about other options. You can also explore private market rentals, roommate situations, or other housing programs in Kern County that may not have income restrictions.

Can I use my Section 8 voucher in a different county?

Section 8 vouchers are portable in most cases, meaning you can move to another county and use the voucher there. However, you must get KCHA's permission before you move, and the new area's payment standard may be different. Contact KCHA before you move to understand how the transfer works and what your new rent share might be.

What happens if I get a job and my income goes up?

In public housing, your rent will increase to 30 percent of your new income. In Section 8, your share of rent increases. You will not be evicted when ready, but KCHA will give you a grace period — usually 12 months — to move out if your income rises above the limit. Report income changes to KCHA within 30 days so they can recalculate your rent correctly.

Can I appeal if KCHA denies me?

Yes. KCHA must give you a written reason for denial. You have the right to request an informal hearing to explain your situation or challenge the decision. Ask KCHA for their appeal process and the important date for filing. Bring any documents that support your case, such as corrected income information or proof of citizenship.