What the Santa Barbara Housing Authority does
The Santa Barbara Housing Authority (SBHA) is a public agency that runs affordable housing programs in Santa Barbara County. It administers public housing — apartments it owns and operates — and the Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly called Section 8), which pays a portion of your rent at a private landlord's property. The agency also manages other local affordable housing initiatives and can connect you to resources for homelessness prevention.
The Housing Authority is not the same as the county social services department or a nonprofit. It is a separate government body with its own staff, budget, and waiting lists. If you are looking for rental help, the Housing Authority is one place to contact, but it is not the only source — your city may have its own programs, and county emergency information exists separately.
The Housing Authority's main office is located in Santa Barbara, and it serves renters throughout the county. You can reach them by phone, mail, or in person, though phone lines can have long wait times during peak hours.
Key Takeaways
- The Santa Barbara Housing Authority runs public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers, which are two different programs with separate waiting lists and rules.
- Public housing is owned by the Housing Authority; Housing Choice Vouchers let you rent from a private landlord and the program pays part of your rent.
- Both programs have waiting lists that can be years long, and the Housing Authority periodically opens and closes them depending on funding.
- You can contact the Housing Authority directly by phone or visit in person to learn whether a waiting list is open and what documents you will need.
- If you need help now, ask the Housing Authority about emergency rental information or homelessness prevention programs that may move faster than the main waiting lists.
Public housing versus Housing Choice Vouchers
The Housing Authority owns and manages public housing apartments. When you live in public housing, the Housing Authority is your landlord. Your rent is based on your income — typically 30 percent of what you earn — and the Housing Authority covers the rest. The apartments are scattered throughout Santa Barbara County, and the Housing Authority maintains them.
Housing Choice Vouchers work differently. The program gives you a voucher (a document stating the Housing Authority will pay a portion of your rent), and you find your own apartment from a private landlord who agrees to participate. You pay your share of the rent, and the Housing Authority pays the landlord the rest, up to a limit set by the program. This gives you more choice in where you live, but it requires finding a landlord willing to accept the voucher — not all do.
Both programs have separate waiting lists. You can be on both lists at the same time. Public housing waiting lists tend to be longer because there are fewer units available, but the voucher waiting list can also have a years-long wait depending on funding.
How to learn about a waiting list is open
The Housing Authority opens and closes its waiting lists based on funding and the number of people already waiting. A list that is closed today may reopen in six months or a year. The only way to know the current status is to contact the Housing Authority directly.
Call the Housing Authority's main office or visit in person. Have your phone number and mailing address ready. Staff can tell you whether the public housing list and the voucher list are open, what documents you will need to bring, and roughly how long the wait is. If a list is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen and whether you can request notification when it does.
You can also check the Housing Authority's website, though the phone line is more reliable for current information. If you reach a voicemail, leave your name and number — the Housing Authority typically returns calls within one business day during normal hours.
Documents you will need to explore
The Housing Authority will ask for proof of identity, income, and residency. Bring a government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card), recent pay stubs or a letter from your employer showing your income, and a recent utility bill or lease showing your current address. If you are unemployed, bring documentation of benefits or a letter explaining your situation.
You will also need to provide information about anyone else in your household — their names, dates of birth, and relationship to you. The Housing Authority uses this to determine your income limit and rent calculation. If you have a criminal history, disclose it; the Housing Authority has rules about what convictions disqualify you, and honesty at the start prevents problems later.
Bring originals or certified copies, not photocopies, unless the Housing Authority tells you otherwise. If you do not have all documents on the day you explore, ask what you can submit later by mail.
How long the waiting list process takes
Once you are on a waiting list, the wait can range from several months to several years, depending on the program and current demand. Public housing waiting lists in Santa Barbara County are typically longer than voucher lists, but both move slowly. The Housing Authority will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available, usually by phone or mail.
While you are waiting, your circumstances may change — your income might increase, you might move, or your household size might shift. Tell the Housing Authority about major changes, because they affect your may be able to access and your rent calculation. If you move out of Santa Barbara County, you may lose your place on the list.
The Housing Authority does not charge a fee to be on a waiting list. If someone claims you have to pay to explore or to stay on a list, that is a scam.
Emergency rental help and other programs
If you need help with rent now and cannot wait for a Housing Authority waiting list, ask the Housing Authority staff about emergency rental information programs. Santa Barbara County has had emergency funds in the past, though availability changes. The Housing Authority can tell you whether money is currently available and how the process works.
The Housing Authority also works with nonprofits and the county on homelessness prevention — programs that help people avoid eviction or homelessness through short-term rent help, mediation with landlords, or connection to other services. These programs sometimes move faster than the main waiting lists and may have different income limits.
Ask specifically about these programs when you call. They are not the same as public housing or vouchers, and staff may not mention them unless you ask.
What happens after you are approved
Once the Housing Authority approves you, you will sign a lease or voucher agreement. For public housing, the Housing Authority is your landlord and the lease covers your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. For vouchers, you find an apartment and the landlord signs an agreement with the Housing Authority.
Your rent will be recalculated every year based on your current income. If your income goes up, your rent goes up. If it goes down, your rent goes down. You will need to report income changes to the Housing Authority — do not wait for the annual review. Failure to report can result in owing back rent or losing your housing.
The Housing Authority can terminate your lease or voucher if you violate the agreement — for example, if you do not pay your share of the rent, if you damage the unit, or if you engage in illegal activity. Read your lease carefully and keep copies of all communications with the Housing Authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I contact the Santa Barbara Housing Authority?
Call the main office during business hours or visit in person. The Housing Authority's phone number and address are on its website. If you cannot reach anyone by phone, try visiting the office in the morning when lines are shorter, or send a letter with your contact information and a request for information about waiting lists.
Can I be on both the public housing and voucher waiting lists at the same time?
Yes. The two programs are separate, and you can explore to both. Being on one list does not affect your place on the other. You will have different process dates and wait times for each.
What if my income is too high for the Housing Authority?
The Housing Authority has income limits based on household size and area median income. If you exceed the limit, you do not meet the basic requirement. Ask the Housing Authority what the current limit is for your household size — limits change yearly and vary by program.
Do I have to live in Santa Barbara County to explore?
You must be a resident of Santa Barbara County to explore. The Housing Authority may ask for proof of residency, such as a utility bill or lease. If you move out of the county after being approved, you may lose your housing or voucher.
What if I have a criminal record?
The Housing Authority has rules about criminal history, but not all convictions automatically disqualify you. Violent crimes and drug-related convictions have stricter rules than other offenses. Disclose your history when you explore — the Housing Authority will tell you whether you meet the requirements. Lying on your process can result in denial or termination later.