What Santa Clara County Housing Authority does

Santa Clara County Housing Authority (SCCHA) is a public agency that runs the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program for the county, manages public housing properties, and administers other affordable housing programs. It does not build or own most of the housing itself — instead, it pays private landlords on behalf of tenants who meet income limits. The agency is separate from your city government and from the state; it answers to a board of commissioners and receives federal funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The Housing Authority serves renters in unincorporated Santa Clara County and in some cities that have contracted with it to run their programs. San Jose, Sunnyvale, and a few other larger cities run their own housing authorities, so if you live in one of those cities, you would contact that city's authority instead. The easiest way to know which authority covers your address is to call 211 or visit the SCCHA website directly.

Key Takeaways

  • Santa Clara County Housing Authority administers Section 8 vouchers and public housing for the county, but not for San Jose, Sunnyvale, or a few other cities that run their own programs.
  • The agency maintains a waitlist for Section 8 vouchers that is often closed; you can call or visit their office to learn whether applications are being taken.
  • If you receive a voucher, you find your own apartment and the Housing Authority pays the landlord a portion of the rent based on your income.
  • The Housing Authority also runs public housing properties and administers other county affordable housing programs, though availability varies by property.
  • You will need to provide proof of income, citizenship or legal residency, and background information when you explore for any Housing Authority program.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers through SCCHA

The Section 8 program is the largest thing the Housing Authority runs. When you receive a voucher, the Housing Authority pays your landlord directly — typically 70 to 80 percent of the rent, depending on your income and the local rent standard. You pay the rest. The voucher is portable, meaning you can use it at any apartment in the county as long as the landlord agrees and the rent is not above the program's limit for that area.

The Section 8 waitlist in Santa Clara County is usually closed because demand far exceeds available vouchers. When the list does open — which happens irregularly, sometimes years apart — the Housing Authority announces it through local media, 211, and their website. You must explore during the open period; there is no way to get on the list when it is closed. Once you are on the waitlist, you may wait several years before your name is called. The Housing Authority prioritizes households with the greatest need, such as those experiencing homelessness or paying more than 50 percent of income toward rent.

To explore when the list opens, you will need to provide proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, green card, or state ID), and information about household members and their ages. You will also undergo a background check. The Housing Authority will contact you by mail or phone when it is your turn to move forward in the process.

Public housing properties managed by SCCHA

The Housing Authority owns and manages several public housing developments throughout the county. These are apartment buildings where the Housing Authority is the landlord. Rent in public housing is set at 30 percent of your household income, regardless of the market rent for the area. Public housing waitlists are also typically closed, but they open more frequently than the Section 8 list — sometimes every one to three years.

Public housing is different from a Section 8 voucher because the Housing Authority is your landlord, not a third party. Maintenance, lease enforcement, and tenant services are handled directly by the Housing Authority. Some developments have on-site services like job training or youth programs. To explore for public housing, you follow a similar process: proof of income, residency documentation, and a background check.

How to contact Santa Clara County Housing Authority

The Housing Authority's main office is located in San Jose. You can reach them by phone during business hours to ask whether waitlists are open, to request an process, or to ask which programs you might be able to use. Their phone number and office address are on their official website. You can also visit in person to pick up an process or ask questions.

If you are unsure whether SCCHA covers your address or whether you should contact a different housing authority, call 211 first. The 211 service is free and can tell you which agency serves your location and what programs are currently taking applications in your area.

Income limits and what you must report

Section 8 and public housing both have income limits based on household size and area median income. For Santa Clara County, the limits change yearly. A single person might have a limit around $50,000 to $60,000 annually, but this varies; a family of four would have a higher limit. You can ask the Housing Authority for the current year's limits when you call or visit.

Once you are in a program, you must report changes in income, household composition, and employment to the Housing Authority. If your income rises above the program limit, you may be asked to leave or your rent contribution may increase. If a household member moves out or a new person moves in, you must notify the Housing Authority within a set timeframe — usually 10 to 30 days. Failure to report changes can result in lease violations or removal from the program.

Other programs and services SCCHA administers

Beyond Section 8 and public housing, the Housing Authority administers other county affordable housing programs. These may include down payment information for first-time homebuyers, affordable housing for seniors, and supportive housing for people with disabilities. Availability and may be able to access for these programs change, so you should ask the Housing Authority directly about what is currently available.

The Housing Authority also works with local nonprofits and social service agencies to connect tenants with job training, financial counseling, and other support services. If you are in a Housing Authority program and need help with employment or budgeting, ask your case manager or the Housing Authority office what resources are available.

What happens after you receive a voucher or are placed in public housing

If you receive a Section 8 voucher, you have a set amount of time — usually 60 to 120 days — to find an apartment. The landlord must agree to accept the voucher, and the apartment must pass a Housing Authority inspection for safety and quality. Once you move in, you sign a lease with the landlord and the Housing Authority pays their portion directly to the landlord each month. You pay your share of the rent on time, just as you would in any rental.

If you are placed in public housing, the Housing Authority is your landlord. You sign a lease with them, pay your rent (30 percent of income) on the date specified, and follow the lease terms. The Housing Authority handles maintenance requests and enforces lease rules. If you violate the lease, the Housing Authority can evict you through the court system, just as a private landlord can.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if the Section 8 waitlist is open?

Call the Housing Authority directly at their main office number, which is on their website. You can also check their website for announcements about open waitlists, or call 211 and ask whether Santa Clara County Housing Authority is currently taking Section 8 applications. When the list opens, the Housing Authority announces it through local news and community organizations.

What if I live in San Jose or Sunnyvale?

San Jose Housing Authority and Sunnyvale Housing Authority run their own Section 8 and public housing programs. You would contact those agencies directly, not Santa Clara County Housing Authority. Call 211 or search online for the housing authority in your city to find their phone number and office location.

Can I use my Section 8 voucher outside Santa Clara County?

Section 8 vouchers are portable, but only within the Housing Authority's jurisdiction. A Santa Clara County Housing Authority voucher can be used anywhere in unincorporated Santa Clara County and in cities that have contracted with SCCHA, but not in San Jose, Sunnyvale, or other cities with their own authorities. If you move out of the county, you would need to contact the housing authority in your new location.

What if I have a criminal record or eviction history?

The Housing Authority conducts background checks and may deny you based on criminal history or past evictions, but they do not automatically reject anyone. Each case is reviewed individually. If you are denied, you have the right to request a hearing to explain your circumstances. Contact the Housing Authority to ask about their specific policies and your options if you have been denied.

How long does it take to get a Section 8 voucher after my name is called?

Once the Housing Authority contacts you from the waitlist, the process typically takes two to four weeks. You will attend an orientation, provide documentation of income and residency, and undergo a background check. After approval, you have 60 to 120 days to find an apartment. The entire process from waitlist call to moving in usually takes one to three months.