Section 8 Housing in California
365,566 active Housing Choice Vouchers across 25 markets. Rent limits, housing authorities, waitlist status, and voucher rights for every metro in California.
Can a landlord refuse Section 8 in California?
No. California law prohibits landlords from refusing a renter because they pay with a Section 8 voucher. That protection applies in California. If you were turned away for having a voucher, that refusal may be illegal.
California FEHA source-of-income protection (SB 329 / Gov. Code 12955)
Statewide: landlords may not refuse Section 8/HCV vouchers as a source of income.
View statute →Informational only, not legal advice. Laws change, so verify current status before acting on a rejection or making a leasing decision.
California metro guides
In-depth, source-cited guides: waitlist status, voucher-friendly neighborhoods, and who to call if you are turned away.
Los Angeles, CA
pop. 12,799,1005 PHAs, all waitlists currently closed
In the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro, nearly every major Section 8 waitlist is closed. HACLA (City of LA), LACDA (LA County), Long Beach, Anaheim, and Orange County all have closed Housing Choice Voucher lists, an
See Los Angeles waitlists →
Riverside, CA
pop. 4,688,0533 PHAs, all waitlists currently closed
In the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metro, both major public housing agencies keep their Section 8 (tenant-based Housing Choice Voucher) waitlists closed most of the time, opening only briefly by lottery or limited w
See Riverside waitlists →
San Francisco, CA
pop. 4,566,9615 PHAs, all waitlists currently closed
In the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro, every major Section 8 waitlist is currently closed. The biggest recent opening was the Oakland Housing Authority lottery in January 2025, its first since 2011, which drew over
See San Francisco waitlists →
San Diego, CA
pop. 3,269,9732 of 6 PHAs accepting applicants
Section 8 in the San Diego metro is effectively locked down for new applicants as of 2026. The two largest programs, the San Diego Housing Commission (city) and the Housing Authority of the County of San Diego, both clos
See San Diego waitlists →
Sacramento, CA
pop. 2,420,6083 PHAs, all waitlists currently closed
In the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom metro, the main voucher program is run by the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA), which serves the City and County of Sacramento and has its tenant-based Section 8 waitl
See Sacramento waitlists →
All Section 8 markets in California
Sorted by active voucher count. Each metro page has HUD Fair Market Rent by bedroom, the housing authorities that administer vouchers there, and waitlist status.
Los Angeles, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 31080
127,072 vouchersSan Francisco, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 41860
61,562 vouchersSan Diego, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 41740
32,503 vouchersRiverside, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 40140
22,201 vouchersSan Jose, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 41940
19,397 vouchersSacramento, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 40900
17,397 vouchersFresno, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 23420
14,181 vouchersOxnard, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 37100
7,394 vouchersSanta Maria, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 42200
7,247 vouchersVallejo, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 46700
5,708 vouchersSanta Cruz, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 42100
5,674 vouchersStockton, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 44700
5,380 vouchersSanta Rosa, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 42220
5,202 vouchersModesto, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 33700
5,094 vouchersSalinas, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 41500
4,852 vouchersBakersfield, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 12540
4,524 vouchersVisalia, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 47300
3,123 vouchersMerced, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 32900
2,891 vouchersRedding, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 39820
2,802 vouchersSan Luis Obispo, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 42020
2,766 vouchersChico, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 17020
2,284 vouchersEl Centro, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 20940
2,104 vouchersYuba City, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 49700
2,011 vouchersNapa, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 34900
1,470 vouchersHanford, CA
Metropolitan Statistical Area · CBSA 25260
727 vouchers
Section 8 by county in California
County pages show the local voucher count, housing authorities, and metro rollup. Useful when you are looking at a specific address.
- Los Angeles County102,716 vouchers
- San Diego County32,503 vouchers
- Alameda County26,682 vouchers
- Orange County24,356 vouchers
- Santa Clara County19,397 vouchers
- San Francisco County16,212 vouchers
- Sacramento County13,790 vouchers
- Fresno County13,377 vouchers
- San Bernardino County11,934 vouchers
- Contra Costa County10,951 vouchers
- Riverside County10,267 vouchers
- Ventura County7,394 vouchers
- Santa Barbara County7,247 vouchers
- Solano County5,708 vouchers
- Santa Cruz County5,674 vouchers
- San Joaquin County5,380 vouchers
- San Mateo County5,268 vouchers
- Sonoma County5,202 vouchers
- Stanislaus County5,094 vouchers
- Monterey County4,852 vouchers
- Kern County4,524 vouchers
- Tulare County3,123 vouchers
- Merced County2,891 vouchers
- Shasta County2,802 vouchers
- San Luis Obispo County2,766 vouchers
- Marin County2,449 vouchers
- Butte County2,284 vouchers
- Imperial County2,104 vouchers
- Sutter County2,011 vouchers
- Yolo County1,938 vouchers
- Napa County1,470 vouchers
- Humboldt County1,407 vouchers
- Mendocino County1,294 vouchers
- Placer County1,242 vouchers
- Madera County804 vouchers
- Kings County727 vouchers
- Del Norte County662 vouchers
- Plumas County637 vouchers
- El Dorado County427 vouchers
- Lake County249 vouchers
Find Section 8 apartments in California
VoucherMatch connects voucher holders with landlords who accept Section 8, and it is free for renters. Landlords: listings here reach applicants whose voucher already covers the rent above.