What the Oakland Housing Authority does

The Oakland Housing Authority (OHA) is a public agency that runs housing programs in Oakland, California. It administers Section 8 vouchers, manages public housing properties, and oversees other federal housing programs. OHA does not build or own most of the housing itself — it pays landlords on behalf of tenants who hold vouchers, and it manages a smaller portfolio of public housing units.

OHA is separate from the City of Oakland's housing department. It answers to a board of commissioners and receives most of its funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). If you are looking for emergency rental help, homelessness prevention, or down payment information, those programs are usually run by the city or county, not by OHA directly.

Key Takeaways

  • OHA primarily administers Section 8 vouchers, which pay a portion of your rent to a landlord of your choice in the private market.
  • OHA maintains a waiting list for Section 8 vouchers that is currently closed to new applicants; you can check the OHA website for reopening dates.
  • OHA also manages public housing units in Oakland, which have their own waiting list and income limits.
  • To reach OHA about vouchers or public housing, contact their main office by phone or visit in person; online portals are limited.
  • If you need emergency rent help or homelessness prevention, contact Alameda County or the City of Oakland housing programs, not OHA.

Section 8 vouchers and the waiting list

OHA administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly called Section 8. A voucher is a document that allows you to rent from a private landlord while OHA pays a portion of your rent directly to that landlord. You pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent. The voucher amount is based on the fair market rent for your area and your household income.

OHA's Section 8 waiting list has been closed for several years. When it reopens, OHA announces the dates on its website and through local media. The waiting list typically opens for a limited time — sometimes a few weeks — and then closes again. You must explore during the open period to be added to the list. Once on the list, you may wait months or years before being called to lease a unit.

To find out whether the waiting list is currently open, visit the OHA website at oaklandhousing.org or call the main office. Do not rely on third-party websites to tell you the status — OHA updates its own site first.

Public housing units managed by OHA

OHA owns and manages approximately 2,000 public housing units across Oakland. These are apartments in buildings or complexes owned by OHA itself. Public housing has its own waiting list, separate from Section 8. Income limits for public housing are typically lower than for vouchers, and rent is calculated as a percentage of your household income (usually 30 percent).

Public housing waiting lists are also often closed. When open, you explore directly to OHA. The process process requires proof of income, citizenship or may be able to access immigration status, and a background check. Approval timelines vary, but can take several months.

How to contact OHA and what documents you will need

OHA's main office is located in Oakland and can be reached by phone during business hours. The office handles inquiries about both Section 8 and public housing. You can also visit in person to ask questions or request an process.

If you are explore for either program, you will need to provide:

  • Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer)
  • Proof of citizenship or may be able to access immigration status (passport, birth certificate, or green card)
  • Photo identification
  • Social Security numbers for all household members
  • Proof of current address (utility bill or lease)

OHA may also conduct a background check and contact previous landlords. Criminal history and eviction records can affect your standing, though OHA considers the nature and timing of any issues.

Income limits and rent calculations

Income limits for OHA programs vary by household size and program type. Section 8 vouchers generally serve households at or below 50 percent of the area median income, though some vouchers are reserved for households below 30 percent. Public housing income limits are often lower.

For Section 8, you pay 30 percent of your adjusted gross income toward rent, and OHA pays the difference up to the fair market rent for your unit. For public housing, rent is also typically 30 percent of income. If your income increases after you receive a voucher or unit, your rent will increase at your next lease renewal or recertification.

OHA publishes current income limits on its website. These limits change annually and depend on household size. Contact OHA directly to confirm the limits that explore to your household.

What happens after you are approved

If you are approved for a Section 8 voucher, OHA will issue you a voucher packet that explains how to search for a unit. You then find a landlord willing to accept the voucher. The landlord must agree to rent at or below the fair market rent limit for your area. OHA inspects the unit to may support it meets housing quality standards before the lease begins.

Once you move in, OHA pays the landlord each month. You pay your portion of the rent directly to the landlord. You must recertify your income and household composition annually or when your circumstances change. If you move, you can take your voucher to a new unit, as long as the new landlord accepts Section 8.

For public housing, after approval you will be assigned a unit when one becomes available. You sign a lease with OHA and pay rent based on your income. You must also recertify annually and follow OHA's lease terms, which include maintenance responsibilities and house rules.

When OHA is not the right contact

OHA does not run emergency rental information, homelessness prevention programs, or down payment help. If you need money to pay rent you already owe, contact Alameda County or the City of Oakland housing programs. If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness, contact the Alameda County Homeless Services or a local nonprofit like Catholic Charities or East Bay Housing Organizations.

If you need help paying utilities, food, or other expenses, call 211 (dial 2-1-1 from any phone) to be referred to local resources. 211 is a free referral service that connects you to nonprofits and government programs in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Wait times depend on how many people are ahead of you on the list and how many vouchers OHA has available. In Oakland, wait times have historically been several years, though this varies. Once you are called, you typically have 60 to 90 days to find a unit and move in.

Can I use an OHA voucher to rent anywhere in the Bay Area?

Section 8 vouchers are portable, meaning you can use them in other jurisdictions if you move. However, the voucher amount is based on the fair market rent in your original area. If you move to a higher-cost area, you may need to pay more out of pocket. Contact OHA before you move to understand how portability works.

What if I have a criminal record or past eviction?

OHA considers criminal history and evictions on a case-by-case basis. Permanent bars exist for certain crimes (such as drug manufacturing), but many other offenses do not automatically disqualify you. The age of the offense and your circumstances matter. Contact OHA to discuss your specific situation.

Can I explore for both Section 8 and public housing at the same time?

Yes. The waiting lists are separate, and you can be on both. Being approved for one does not affect your place on the other list. However, once you receive a voucher or are assigned a public housing unit, you typically must decline the other offer or withdraw from that list.

What is the Oakland Housing Authority's phone number and office address?

Contact information is available on the OHA website at oaklandhousing.org. Office hours and phone numbers may change, so check the website first rather than relying on outdated numbers. You can also visit the main office in person during business hours.