What the Pasadena Housing Authority does

The Pasadena Housing Authority (PHA) is a public agency that runs housing programs in Pasadena, California. It administers Section 8 vouchers, manages public housing properties, and oversees other affordable housing initiatives. The PHA does not build or own most of the housing itself — it pays landlords on behalf of tenants who meet income limits, and it maintains a waiting list for people seeking vouchers.

The PHA is separate from the City of Pasadena's planning or zoning departments. It is a distinct legal entity with its own board and budget. If you live in Pasadena and need affordable housing information, the PHA is the body that holds the waiting lists and processes voucher paperwork.

The main programs the PHA runs are Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (the largest program by volume), public housing units it owns or leases, and project-based vouchers tied to specific buildings. Some programs have closed waiting lists, meaning you cannot join right now even if you meet the income requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • The Pasadena Housing Authority administers Section 8 vouchers and public housing in Pasadena; it is not a city department and has its own waiting lists.
  • Most PHA programs have closed waiting lists, so you will need to contact the PHA directly to learn which programs are currently open to new applicants.
  • To use a Section 8 voucher, your household income must fall below the area median income limit set each year, and you must pass a background check.
  • The PHA's main office is located in Pasadena; you can reach them by phone or mail to ask about current openings and request an process packet.
  • Once you receive a voucher, you search for your own rental unit and the PHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent based on your income.

How to contact the Pasadena Housing Authority

The PHA's main office is at 1 South Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101. You can reach them by phone at (626) 744-4900 during business hours. The office is open Monday through Friday, typically 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., though hours may vary by department.

Call the main number and ask to speak with someone in admissions or the waiting list department. They will tell you which programs are currently open and whether you can request an process. Some people prefer to visit in person, but calling first is faster because staff can tell you when ready whether a waiting list is open and what documents you will need to bring.

The PHA also has a website where you can find general information about programs, though the website does not allow you to submit applications online. You must request an process packet by phone or in person.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers through the PHA

A Section 8 voucher is a rent subsidy. The PHA gives you a voucher, you find a rental unit on the private market, and the PHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent. You pay the difference. The voucher is portable — you can use it at any rental property in Pasadena (or in some cases in nearby areas) as long as the landlord agrees and the unit meets PHA standards.

To be considered for a Section 8 voucher, your household income must be at or below 50% of the area median income. The income limit changes each year. For Pasadena in 2024, a household of one person had a limit around $40,000 per year, and a family of four around $64,000 per year — but these figures vary annually, so confirm the current limit when you contact the PHA.

You must also pass a background check. The PHA will look at your rental history, criminal history, and credit. Having a record does not automatically disqualify you, but the PHA has standards about what it will overlook. Ask the PHA directly what their policy is if you have concerns about your background.

The waiting list for Section 8 vouchers in Pasadena has been closed for several years. Call the PHA to confirm the current status. If it opens, the PHA will announce it and you will have a limited window to submit an process. Once the list closes again, you cannot join until it reopens.

Public housing units managed by the PHA

The Pasadena Housing Authority owns or leases a smaller number of public housing units — apartment buildings where the PHA is the landlord. These are separate from Section 8 vouchers. Income limits are similar (usually 50% to 80% of area median income depending on the property), and you must pass a background check.

Public housing waiting lists also tend to be closed. Contact the PHA to ask whether any public housing programs are currently accepting applications. If a list is open, the PHA will give you an process and tell you which properties have units available.

The advantage of public housing is that you know the rent will be affordable — the PHA sets it as a percentage of your income, usually 30%. The disadvantage is that you have less choice of location and unit type than you would with a Section 8 voucher, and the waiting list can be years long.

Income limits and what documents you need

The PHA sets income limits each year based on the area median income for the Pasadena area. Limits vary by household size. To verify your income, the PHA will ask for recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), a tax return from the previous year, and a letter from your employer stating your job title and hourly wage or salary. If you receive benefits, bring documentation of those as well.

You will also need a photo ID, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and a Social Security number for each household member. Bring your lease or proof of current address. If you have a criminal record or eviction history, the PHA will ask about it on the process — do not leave it blank, as the PHA will find it in a background check anyway.

Bring originals or certified copies of documents when you explore. The PHA will make copies and return your originals. If you do not have all documents ready, ask whether you can submit them later or whether the PHA will accept a partial process.

How long the process takes and what happens next

Once you submit a complete process, the PHA will review it and conduct a background check. This typically takes four to eight weeks. The PHA will contact you by phone or mail with a decision. If you are approved, you will be placed on the waiting list (or, if a voucher is when ready available, you may receive one sooner).

For Section 8 vouchers, the waiting list can be years long. The PHA prioritizes applicants based on the date you applied and sometimes by other factors like homelessness or disability. You will not know your position on the list, but the PHA can tell you approximately how long the wait is when you call.

Once your name reaches the top of the list and a voucher becomes available, the PHA will contact you and give you a voucher packet. You then have a set amount of time (usually 60 to 120 days) to find a rental unit. The PHA will inspect the unit to make sure it meets housing standards, and then the lease begins.

What to do if you are denied or if you disagree with a decision

If the PHA denies your process, they will send you a letter explaining the reason. Common reasons include income above the limit, a criminal conviction, an eviction, or failure to provide required documents. The letter will tell you whether you can appeal.

If you believe the PHA made a mistake — for example, they miscalculated your income or used outdated information — you can request an appeal hearing. The PHA will tell you in the denial letter how to request one and what the important date is. You will have a chance to present your side of the story to someone other than the person who made the original decision.

If you are approved but later have a problem with the PHA — for example, they are not processing your voucher or there is a dispute about rent — contact the PHA's tenant services or complaint department. The PHA has a formal grievance process for disputes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore to the Pasadena Housing Authority if I am not a U.S. citizen?

You must be a U.S. citizen or have legal permanent residency to receive a Section 8 voucher or public housing. The PHA will ask for proof of citizenship or a green card. If you have a work visa or other temporary status, you do not meet the requirement. Bring your documentation when you explore so the PHA can verify your status.

What if the Section 8 waiting list is closed?

If the waiting list is closed, you cannot join it right now. Call the PHA every few months to ask whether it has reopened. When it does open, there is usually a limited window — sometimes just a few weeks — to submit an process before it closes again. Some people sign up for the PHA's mailing list so they are notified when the list reopens.

Can I use a Section 8 voucher outside of Pasadena?

Section 8 vouchers are portable in some cases. You can use your voucher in other jurisdictions if the PHA has a portability agreement with that area's housing authority. Call the Pasadena PHA and ask whether you can port your voucher to a specific city or county. If yes, you will need to contact the other housing authority to complete the transfer.

What happens if my income goes above the limit after I receive a voucher?

If your income rises above the limit, you do not automatically lose your voucher. The PHA will recalculate your rent contribution, which will increase. However, if your income stays above the limit for a certain period (usually one year), the PHA may terminate your voucher. Contact the PHA if your income changes to understand how it affects your benefits.

How do I know if a rental unit will be accepted by the PHA?

Before you sign a lease, give the landlord the PHA's contact information and ask them to call the PHA to confirm they accept Section 8 vouchers. Not all landlords do. Once you find a unit, the PHA will inspect it to make sure it meets housing quality standards — things like working plumbing, heat, and no lead paint. If the unit fails inspection, the landlord must fix the problems before you can move in.