What the Riverside Housing Authority Does

The Riverside Housing Authority (RHA) is a public agency that runs housing programs in Riverside County, California. It administers Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, manages public housing properties, and oversees other federal housing information. The RHA 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 RHA is separate from the City of Riverside's housing department and from the County of Riverside's social services. If you live in unincorporated Riverside County, you work with the RHA directly. If you live within a city limits — Riverside, Ontario, Moreno Valley, Victorville, or another incorporated city — you may work with that city's housing authority instead, though the RHA still plays a role in some programs.

The RHA's main office is located in Riverside. You can reach them by phone, mail, or in person to ask about current programs, waiting list status, or to report a maintenance issue if you live in RHA public housing.

Key Takeaways

  • The Riverside Housing Authority administers Section 8 vouchers and public housing in Riverside County, but waiting lists are typically closed and can have years-long waits when they reopen.
  • To be added to a waiting list, you must meet income limits (usually 50% of area median income or lower) and be a U.S. citizen or may be able to access immigrant, and you explore in person or by mail during an open enrollment period.
  • The RHA's phone line and website are the fastest way to learn whether waiting lists are currently open and what documents you need to bring.
  • If you already hold an RHA voucher or live in RHA public housing, you report maintenance issues and rent changes to your local RHA office, not to your landlord alone.
  • Cities within Riverside County may run their own housing authorities for residents within city limits, so confirm which agency serves your address before contacting the RHA.

Section 8 Voucher Waiting Lists and How to Get on One

The RHA maintains a waiting list for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. A voucher allows you to rent from a private landlord while the RHA pays a portion of your rent directly to the landlord. The waiting list is almost always closed, meaning the RHA is not currently accepting new names. When it does open — which may happen once every several years — enrollment typically lasts only a few weeks.

To be added to the waiting list when it opens, you must meet these basic requirements: household income at or below 50% of the area median income for Riverside County (the exact limit depends on household size and changes yearly), U.S. citizenship or may be able to access immigrant status, and a valid Social Security number for all household members. You must explore in person at the RHA office or by mail during the open enrollment window. The RHA publishes the dates on its website and by phone announcement.

Bring or mail original documents: a photo ID, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of residency (utility bill or lease), and proof of citizenship or immigration status (passport, green card, or I-94). If you are homeless or have no fixed address, you can still explore — contact the RHA to learn what documents substitute for a utility bill.

Once your name is on the waiting list, the RHA ranks applicants by date of process and by local preference (for example, people who work in Riverside County may move up the list). Waiting times vary widely — from months to years — depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many vouchers the RHA receives from the federal government each year.

Income Limits and Rent Calculations for Voucher Holders

Income limits for Section 8 vouchers in Riverside County are set at 50% of the area median income. For a single person, this is roughly $30,000 to $35,000 per year; for a family of four, roughly $48,000 to $55,000 per year. These figures change each year and vary slightly by city. The RHA counts income from wages, self-employment, Social Security, unemployment, child support, and most other sources. It does not count income from certain information programs like CalFresh or CalWORKs.

If you are selected from the waiting list, the RHA calculates your rent share. You typically pay 30% of your gross monthly income toward rent. The RHA then pays the landlord the difference between your share and the fair market rent for your unit (up to a limit set by the federal government). If your income rises after you receive a voucher, your rent share may increase, but the RHA will recalculate it only at your annual recertification.

The RHA requires you to recertify your income and household composition once per year. You do this by submitting updated pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer. If you do not recertify on time, the RHA may terminate your voucher.

Public Housing Properties Managed by the RHA

The RHA owns and manages several public housing developments in Riverside County. These are apartment buildings where the RHA is the landlord. Rent is based on income — typically 30% of gross monthly income — just as with vouchers. Public housing has the same income limits as vouchers.

If you live in RHA public housing, you pay rent to the RHA, not to a private landlord. Maintenance requests go to the RHA's maintenance department. The RHA is responsible for repairs to the unit and common areas. If a repair is not made within a reasonable time, you can contact the RHA's office to file a formal complaint or request a rent abatement (a temporary reduction in rent while the repair is pending).

Public housing waiting lists are also typically closed. When they open, the process is the same as for vouchers: you explore in person or by mail during the open enrollment period with proof of income, residency, and citizenship.

How to Contact the Riverside Housing Authority

The RHA's main office is at 3400 Central Avenue, Riverside, CA 92506. The phone number is (951) 351-2500. Office hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can also visit the RHA's website to check waiting list status, read applications, and find information about current programs.

If you are calling to ask about waiting list status, have your name and date of birth ready. The RHA can tell you whether your name is on the list and approximately where you rank. If you are calling to report a maintenance issue in RHA public housing, have your unit number and a description of the problem ready.

For questions about a specific voucher or lease, contact your local RHA office or the case manager assigned to your file. The RHA assigns a case manager to each voucher holder; this person handles rent calculations, recertifications, and lease violations.

Differences Between the RHA and City Housing Authorities

Riverside County contains several incorporated cities, each of which may have its own housing authority. The cities of Riverside, Ontario, Moreno Valley, Victorville, and others operate their own housing programs separate from the RHA. If you live within a city, you may work with that city's housing authority instead of the RHA.

To find out which agency serves your address, enter your street address into the RHA's website or call the RHA main line. They will tell you whether you fall under RHA jurisdiction or a city authority. Do not assume that because you live in Riverside County, you work with the RHA — the city you live in matters.

City housing authorities often have different waiting list policies, income limits, and rent calculation methods than the RHA, so it is important to confirm which agency serves you before you explore.

What Happens After You Receive a Voucher

Once you are selected from the waiting list and approved, the RHA issues you a voucher. The voucher is a document that shows a landlord the RHA will pay part of the rent. You then have a limited time — usually 60 to 120 days — to find a rental unit and have the landlord sign a lease.

The unit must pass an RHA inspection before you can move in. The inspection checks that the unit is safe, clean, and meets housing quality standards. The landlord pays for any repairs needed to pass inspection. Once the unit passes, you sign the lease, the RHA signs a contract with the landlord, and you move in.

After you move in, you must report any changes in household composition, income, or employment to the RHA within 30 days. If a household member moves out, your voucher size may decrease. If your income changes significantly, your rent share will be recalculated at your next annual recertification. If you move to a different unit, the RHA must inspect the new unit and approve the new lease before you move.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if the RHA waiting list is open?

Call the RHA at (951) 351-2500 or visit their website. The RHA announces waiting list openings by phone message, email, and on its website. Openings are usually brief — a few weeks — so if you hear the list is open, explore when ready. You can also ask to be notified when the list opens next.

What if I am homeless or do not have a fixed address?

You can still explore for a voucher or public housing. Contact the RHA and explain your situation. You may be able to use a shelter address, a mailing address, or a care of address on your process. The RHA will tell you what documents you need instead of a utility bill.

Can I use my voucher to rent anywhere in Riverside County?

You can rent anywhere within Riverside County and in some neighboring counties, as long as the landlord accepts vouchers and the unit meets RHA standards. Some landlords refuse vouchers, so you may need to contact multiple landlords. The RHA can provide a list of landlords who have accepted vouchers in the past.

What if my landlord wants to evict me?

If you are a voucher holder, the landlord must follow California eviction law and must give you written notice. Notify the RHA when ready. The RHA may be able to help mediate or may terminate your voucher if you have violated the lease. If you live in RHA public housing, the same process applies — the RHA must follow eviction law and must give you notice and a chance to respond.

How long does it take to get a voucher after I am selected from the waiting list?

After selection, the RHA typically takes two to four weeks to process your process, conduct a background check, and issue your voucher. You then have 60 to 120 days to find a unit. The entire process from selection to moving in usually takes three to six months.