Housing Vouchers
Attention:
Due to the public health emergency declaration on COVID-19/Coronavirus our offices are offering limited services to the public. Our offices are open for regular business hours.
For the safety of our customers and employees all inquiries, questions, and applications should be made via www.mybenefitscalwin.org, or through our call center by dialing 1-888-385-5160, or via mail at P.O. Box 20400, Auburn CA 95604
For more information on Placer County’s response to the COVID-19/Coronavirus please see the following page https://www.placer.ca.gov/coronavirus
Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) formerly known as the Section 8 Voucher Program, is a rental
assistance program to help low and very low-income families, persons with disabilities and seniors so they can live in affordable, safe, and decent housing. This program covers all of Placer County with the exception of the City of Roseville. The City of Roseville has its own Housing Authority.
Emergency Housing Vouchers
The Placer County Housing Authority (PCHA) received a special allocation of 26 Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The EHVs will provide rental assistance to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness; at risk of experiencing homelessness; fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking; or were recently homeless and rental assistance will prevent the individual or family’s homelessness or high risk of housing instability.
EHVs are filled through a direct referral process from the Coordinated Entry System managed by the Homeless Resource Council of the Sierras. Interested applicants that meet the above criteria, including current HCV waiting list applicants, should contact Placer County 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-833-375-2237. Qualified applicants will be added to a Coordinated Entry Housing Wait List for Placer County. Emergency Housing Voucher recipients will be chosen from that list. It’s important to note that the Coordinated Entry Housing Waitlist is separate from and not the same as the Placer County Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher Waitlist. Clients will be selected from the Coordinated Entry Housing Waitlist to work with a housing provider/case manager, who will then refer the client for an EHV from the Housing Authority. If you are already on the Coordinated Entry Housing Waitlist you do not need to apply again; however if your contact information has changed please do contact the above numbers to update. PCHA is not able to accept referrals directly from individuals/families and verification of eligibility will be required before a referral can be completed. PCHA will begin accepting EHV referrals on July 12, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. Once all vouchers are filled, a waiting list will be established by date and time the referral was received to fill future vacancies and will remain open until it is determined by PCHA that a sufficient number of referrals have been received.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: “How are the vouchers awarded?”
A: “Vouchers will be awarded to Placer County residents who are on the Coordinated Entry Housing Waitlist. If you are interested in receiving a voucher, you must go through Coordinated Entry and get on that waitlist.”
Q: “How will I know if I get a voucher?”
A: “If you become eligible for a voucher, you will be contacted directly by a Placer county housing provider. Be sure to call 211 if your contact info changes, so that up to date info is available to the housing provider.”
Q: “How is it decided who gets a voucher?”
A: “Vouchers are awarded to clients after considering several factors. They are not awarded on a first come first serve basis, but rather based on each client’s individual circumstances and vulnerability. If you are selected to be applied for a voucher, a housing provider will contact you and work with you to apply for an EHV. All EHVs will be issued by the Public Housing Authority.”
If you or anyone in your household is a person with disabilities, and you require a specific accommodation in order to fully utilize our programs and services, please contact Dara Hazen at (530) 889-7676 or [email protected].
Family Unification Program
The Placer County Housing Authority (PCHA) is opening its Housing Choice Voucher waitlist to accept pre-applications by direct referral for the Family Unification Program (FUP) beginning July 1, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. Referrals will be accepted from partnering social services agency, Placer County Children’s System of Care (CSOC). Applicants referred to PCHA will be added to the waiting list by date and time received with the FUP preference. If an applicant referred for FUP is already active on the HCV waitlist, the preference will be given and the applicant will maintain their current position on the list. The waitlist for FUP will remain open until PCHA determines a sufficient number of pre-applications have been received.
The Family Unification Program is limited to the following populations:
- Families for whom the lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in:
- The imminent placement of the family’s child or children in out-of-home care, or
- The delay in the discharge of the child or children to the family from out-of-home care.
- Eligible youth who have attained at least 18 years and not more than 24 years of age and who have left foster care, or will leave foster care within 90 days, in accordance with the transition plan described in section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act and are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless at age 16 or older. Assistance for youth can not exceed 36 months.
If you or anyone in your household is a person with disabilities, and you require a specific accommodation in order to fully utilize our programs and services, please contact Dara Hazen at (530) 889-7676 or [email protected].
HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing
Placer County Housing Authority supports local and federal efforts to end homelessness among Placer County veterans. We encourage landlords to participate in our Housing Choice Voucher Program to help achieve this goal of providing a home to veterans who have served our country. HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) combines the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for homeless veterans. The VA provides these services for participating veterans at VA medical centers (VAMC’s) and community based outreach clinics.
In order to qualify for housing assistance benefits, your total household income must not exceed the gross income limit for your family size and you meet other program requirements established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. You can find detailed program information and eligibility requirements in the Placer County Housing Authority Administrative Plan (PDF).
| Household Size | Yearly Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $31,785 |
| 2 | $36,250 |
| 3 | $40,800 |
| 4 | $45,300 |
| 5 | $48,950 |
| 6 | $52,550 |
| 7 | $56,200 |
| 8 | $59,800 |
If you are determined eligible, your name is put on a waiting list. When your name is reached on the waiting list you will be contacted for an interview.
Pre-applications will only be taken online during open application periods.
Waiting List Status
Currently, the Placer County Housing Authority waiting list is closed. If you already applied with Placer County Housing Authority for Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance program, you may check your status online. You will not be able to receive information regarding your application status by calling or coming into the Placer County Housing Authority office.
Related Documents
Housing Authority Administrative Plan
Housing Authority 5-Year Plan
Utility Allowance
Payment Standards
New Housing Search Tool for Landlords and Tenants
Placer County Housing Authority has a tool to help bridge the gap between landlords looking to rent their properties and tenants in search of properties to rent.
The web-based tool, gosection8 allows landlords to list an unlimited number of properties, which subsequently gives tenants immediate access to housing opportunities that fit their needs and that is within their search preferences for housing. Try the new tool at gosection8 users can choose to set up an optional profile, at no cost to aid in their search process. A profile provides the user with the opportunity to save searches and favorite properties for future use. Property owners can access a database of prospective tenants that are actively looking to rent, match their property with a tenants needs, and then contact the tenant directly. Gosection8 also offers free call center support to both owners and tenants.
Users will be directed to an external website over which Placer County has no control. Advertising or other messaging on the Gosection8 website do not reflect the views of, or pertain to programs or services provided by Placer County.