What the Oakland Housing Authority does

The Oakland Housing Authority (OHA) is a public agency that runs public housing and rental subsidy programs in Oakland, California. It does not build or own most housing in the city — instead, it manages federal money that helps low-income households pay rent in privately owned apartments. OHA also owns and operates a smaller number of public housing units directly.

OHA administers two main programs: public housing (where OHA owns the building) and the Housing Choice Voucher program, often called Section 8 (where you rent from a private landlord and OHA pays part of your rent). Both programs require you to meet income limits and other rules set by the federal government, since OHA receives its funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

OHA's main office is located in downtown Oakland. You can reach them by phone, mail, or by visiting in person. The agency also has a website where you can find information about current programs and how to get on waiting lists.

Key Takeaways

  • OHA runs public housing units and the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program using federal funding from HUD.
  • Both programs have income limits and waiting lists; you cannot straightforward call and move in the same week.
  • OHA's main office is in downtown Oakland, and you can contact them by phone, mail, or in person to ask about current openings and waiting list status.
  • If you are already in OHA housing or have a voucher, you report changes in income or household size to your case manager, not to a separate office.
  • OHA also administers emergency rental information and other temporary programs, though these change year to year depending on available funding.

Public housing units managed by OHA

OHA owns and operates public housing complexes throughout Oakland. These are apartment buildings where OHA is the landlord. Rent is set at 30 percent of your household income (or the HUD-set minimum, whichever is higher), and utilities are usually included or subsidized. Public housing is intended for households earning below 50 percent of the area median income.

Public housing has a waiting list. The length of the wait varies — it can be months or years depending on how many units are available and how many people are ahead of you. OHA prioritizes certain households, such as those experiencing homelessness or those with disabilities, though the exact preference order is set by OHA's admissions policy.

Once you are accepted into public housing, you sign a lease with OHA and follow the same rules as any tenant — you pay rent on time, maintain the unit, and report maintenance problems. OHA can evict you for lease violations just as a private landlord can. Public housing is not permanent; if your income rises above the program limit, you may be required to leave.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

The Housing Choice Voucher program is larger than public housing in Oakland. OHA gives you a voucher (a subsidy) that you use to rent an apartment from a private landlord who agrees to participate. You pay roughly 30 percent of your income as rent, and OHA pays the landlord the difference (up to a limit set by HUD for your area). The landlord receives the subsidy directly from OHA each month.

To use a voucher, you must find a landlord willing to accept it. Not all landlords do — some refuse because the paperwork is more complex or because they prefer to rent at market rate. Once you find a unit and a willing landlord, OHA inspects the apartment to make sure it meets housing quality standards. If it passes, OHA and the landlord sign a contract, and you move in.

Vouchers also have waiting lists. OHA's Section 8 waiting list has been closed for years in some periods and open in others, depending on federal funding. You can contact OHA to ask whether the list is currently open and how long the wait is if you are added.

How to contact OHA and check waiting list status

The Oakland Housing Authority's main office is at 250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612. You can call them at (510) 874-1000 during business hours. The website is oaklandhousing.org, where you can find information about programs, waiting lists, and how to request an process.

Waiting list status changes. OHA may open the public housing waiting list for a set period, then close it again. The Section 8 waiting list has been closed for extended periods. Before you spend time on an process, call OHA to confirm whether the program you are interested in is currently accepting new names on the waiting list.

If you are already a tenant in OHA housing or a voucher holder, you have a case manager assigned to you. Contact your case manager directly for questions about your lease, rent, repairs, or changes in your household. Do not call the main office for these matters — your case manager handles your file.

Income limits and household requirements

Both public housing and vouchers have income limits. The limit depends on your household size and changes yearly. For 2024, the limit for a single person is roughly 50 percent of the area median income for the Oakland area, though this varies. OHA will tell you the exact limit for your household size when you ask about the program.

You must also be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status. OHA will ask for proof of identity and immigration status as part of the process. If anyone in your household is not a citizen, let OHA know — some mixed-status households can still be served, but the rules are complex and depend on each person's status.

OHA also conducts a background check. Criminal history does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions (particularly drug-related felonies or crimes of violence) may. OHA has a policy on this; you can ask for a copy before you explore if you are concerned.

Other programs OHA administers

Beyond public housing and vouchers, OHA administers emergency rental information when funding is available. During the COVID-19 pandemic, OHA distributed federal emergency rental funds to households behind on rent. These programs are temporary and depend on Congress appropriating money. OHA's website will announce when emergency funds are available.

OHA also manages supportive housing programs for people experiencing homelessness and may administer other local or state programs depending on available grants. Check OHA's website or call to ask what programs are currently running.

What happens after you are accepted

If OHA accepts you into public housing, you will be offered a unit when one becomes available. You sign a lease and move in. Your rent is calculated based on your income at that time. If your income changes, you report it to your case manager, and your rent may go up or down.

If you receive a voucher, you have a limited time (usually 120 days) to find a unit and a landlord. OHA will help you understand the process, but finding a landlord willing to accept a voucher can be difficult. Some landlords discriminate against voucher holders, which is illegal in California, but it still happens. If you cannot find a unit in time, you may lose the voucher.

Once you are in either program, you must report changes in household composition, income, and employment to OHA. Failure to report changes can result in overpayment of rent or loss of the subsidy. Keep OHA's contact information and your case manager's number handy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for OHA public housing?

The wait varies and depends on how many units are available and how many people are ahead of you. It can range from several months to several years. Call OHA at (510) 874-1000 to ask the current wait time for public housing. They can also tell you whether the list is currently open.

Can I use a Section 8 voucher in a different city?

Yes, but with limits. OHA vouchers can be used in other jurisdictions if the landlord and the other housing authority agree. You must request a "portability" transfer from OHA. The process takes time, and the other housing authority may have different rules. Contact OHA before you move to ask about portability.

What if my landlord is not making repairs?

If you are in OHA public housing, report the repair to your case manager or OHA's maintenance line. OHA is responsible for repairs. If you have a voucher and your landlord is not making repairs, you can report it to OHA, and they can inspect the unit. If it fails inspection, OHA may stop paying until repairs are made. You can also contact the City of Oakland's building department or a tenant rights organization for other options.

What if my income goes above the limit?

In public housing, if your income exceeds the limit, OHA will give you notice and you will eventually have to move. The timeline varies — you are usually not evicted when ready. In the voucher program, your rent may increase, but you are not automatically removed. Ask your case manager what happens in your situation.

Can I be evicted from OHA housing?

Yes. OHA can evict you for lease violations (not paying rent, damaging the unit, breaking program rules) just as a private landlord can. OHA must follow California eviction law, which requires notice and a court process. If you receive an eviction notice, contact a tenant rights organization or legal aid when ready.