How the Stanislaus Regional Housing Authority Works and What It Manages

What the Stanislaus Regional Housing Authority does

The Stanislaus Regional Housing Authority (SRHA) is a public agency that manages affordable housing programs across Stanislaus County, California. It administers Section 8 vouchers, owns and operates public housing, and runs other affordable rental programs. If you live in Stanislaus County and are looking for affordable housing or already receive information through SRHA, understanding how the agency works and what it actually controls will help you know what to expect and where to go when something needs fixing.

SRHA is separate from your city government and from the state. It answers to its own board of commissioners and operates under federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rules. That matters because it means the rules that explore to your case come from federal law, not local city ordinances, and complaints about SRHA go through a different channel than complaints about your city.

Key Takeaways

SRHA manages Section 8 vouchers, public housing units, and other affordable programs across Stanislaus County, but does not run emergency rental information or homeless services.
Section 8 vouchers let you rent from a private landlord while SRHA pays part of your rent; you pay the rest, and the landlord must meet housing quality standards.
SRHA's main office is in Modesto, and you must contact them directly by phone, mail, or in person — there is no online portal for most transactions.
If SRHA denies you information or treats you unfairly, you have the right to request a hearing before an independent officer, not before SRHA staff.
SRHA does not handle eviction prevention, emergency rent help, or homeless housing — those are separate county or city programs you would contact directly.

Section 8 vouchers: how they work in Stanislaus County

A Section 8 voucher is a federal rental subsidy. SRHA gives you a voucher, you find a rental property that meets federal housing quality standards, the landlord agrees to accept Section 8, and then SRHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent each month. You pay the rest — usually 30 percent of your income, though the exact amount depends on your household income and the local payment standard.

The voucher is not a may provide of housing. You have a limited time (usually 120 days, though SRHA can extend it) to find a landlord willing to rent to you. The property must pass a housing quality inspection before SRHA will pay anything. Many landlords refuse Section 8 tenants, so finding a unit can take months. Once you have a voucher, SRHA's job is to inspect the unit, sign the lease with the landlord, and process the monthly payment — not to help you search or negotiate with landlords.

If you already hold a Section 8 voucher from SRHA, you can use it to rent anywhere in the country, not just Stanislaus County. But you must notify SRHA before you move, and the new housing authority in your destination area must accept your voucher. Some areas have long waiting lists and may not accept transfers.

Public housing units SRHA owns and operates

SRHA owns and manages public housing apartments in several Stanislaus County communities. These are rental units where SRHA is the landlord. Rent is based on your income — typically 30 percent of what you earn — and SRHA handles maintenance and repairs. Public housing is separate from Section 8; if you live in SRHA public housing, you are not using a voucher.

Public housing has its own waiting list, and that list is usually long. SRHA prioritizes applicants based on factors like homelessness, living in substandard housing, or paying more than 50 percent of income for rent. The waiting time varies by location and can be years. You can be on both the public housing waiting list and the Section 8 waiting list at the same time.

SRHA's waiting lists and how to get on them

SRHA maintains separate waiting lists for Section 8 vouchers and for public housing. Both lists are typically closed — meaning SRHA is not accepting new applications — because demand far exceeds available units. When a list opens, SRHA announces it through local news, its website, and partner agencies. The opening usually lasts only a few weeks.

To find out whether a list is open, call SRHA's main office at (209) 558-3700 or visit in person at 1515 Oakdale Road, Modesto, CA 95355. You can also check the SRHA website for announcements. If a list is closed, ask when it is expected to open next — SRHA staff can tell you whether there is a timeline. Some people wait years between openings.

When a list does open, you will need to bring proof of income, identification, and proof of residency in Stanislaus County. The process itself is straightforward, but getting on the list does not mean you will receive information soon. Your position on the waiting list depends on when you applied and your priority status, not on need or circumstances.

What SRHA does not do

SRHA does not run emergency rental information, eviction prevention, homeless services, or rapid rehousing programs. If you are behind on rent, facing eviction, or homeless, SRHA is not the agency to contact. Those services are run by Stanislaus County or individual cities, and you need to reach out to them separately.

SRHA also does not help you find a landlord, negotiate lease terms, or resolve disputes with your landlord outside the Section 8 program rules. If you hold a Section 8 voucher and your landlord is not maintaining the unit, SRHA can conduct a housing quality inspection and withhold payment if standards are not met — but SRHA will not sue the landlord or force repairs. That is your responsibility as a tenant, and you may need to contact a legal aid organization or file a complaint with your city's housing department.

How to contact SRHA and what to bring

SRHA's main office is located at 1515 Oakdale Road, Modesto, CA 95355. You can reach them by phone at (209) 558-3700 during business hours, Monday through Friday. There is no online portal for applications or account management; you must explore and handle most business in person or by mail.

Before you call or visit, have your identification, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit statements), and proof of residency ready. If you are already a participant, bring your case number. If you are calling about a specific unit or lease, have the address and landlord's contact information available. Wait times can be long, especially when waiting lists open, so plan accordingly.

SRHA also has satellite offices in other Stanislaus County cities. Call the main office to find the location nearest you and its hours.

Your rights if SRHA denies you or treats you unfairly

If SRHA denies you information, terminates your voucher, or takes action against you, you have the right to a hearing. This is a federal right, not optional. You must request the hearing in writing within a set time frame — usually 10 days from the notice SRHA sends you. Send your request to SRHA's main office address.

The hearing is conducted by an independent hearing officer, not by SRHA staff. You can bring documents, witnesses, and a representative (such as a lawyer or advocate). The hearing officer will listen to both sides and issue a written decision. If you disagree with that decision, you can appeal to HUD, the federal agency that oversees SRHA.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, contact the Legal Aid Society of San Joaquin County or a local housing rights organization. Many offer free or low-cost help with SRHA disputes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Section 8 voucher from SRHA?

There is no set timeline. SRHA's Section 8 waiting list is usually closed, and when it opens, thousands of people explore within weeks. Once you are on the list, you may wait months or years before your name is called. The wait depends on your priority status and how many vouchers SRHA receives from the federal government each year.

Can I use my SRHA Section 8 voucher in another state?

Yes. You can move anywhere in the United States and use your voucher, but you must notify SRHA before you move and get permission from the housing authority in your new location. Some areas have closed waiting lists and will not accept voucher transfers, so contact the destination housing authority first to confirm they will take your voucher.

What happens if my landlord stops maintaining the unit?

Contact SRHA and request a housing quality inspection. If the unit fails inspection, SRHA can withhold payment to the landlord until repairs are made. However, SRHA does not force the landlord to fix things — it only stops paying. You may also file a complaint with your city's code enforcement or housing department, or contact a legal aid organization about your tenant rights under California law.

Is there a fee to explore for SRHA housing or a voucher?

No. SRHA does not charge process fees. If someone claims to charge you to explore for SRHA information, that is a scam. Contact SRHA directly to report it.

What do I do if I disagree with SRHA's decision about my case?

Request a hearing in writing within 10 days of receiving the notice. Send your request to SRHA's main office. An independent hearing officer will review your case. If you lose at the hearing, you can appeal to HUD. Consider contacting a legal aid organization for help with the hearing process.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.