mandated by federal regulations, at least 75% of applicants must qualify as an extremely
low-income family earning 30% of the area median income or less ($39,700 for a family of two
and/or $49,600 for a family of four) and the remaining applicants must not exceed the
low-income threshold of 50% of the area median income or less ($66,100 for a family of two
and/or $82,700 for a family of four).
The County Housing Authority has established local preferences within the Housing Choice
Voucher Administrative Plan and Public Housing Admissions and Occupancy Policy for waiting
list applicants to ensure the most vulnerable populations receive priority for assistance.
Established preferences have been in the plans for over 20 years. To ensure equitable access for
communities who have historically suffered from inequalities and inequities, the County Housing
Authority gives priority to applicants who have one or more of the following members in the
household: working applicant, elderly person, disabled person, dependent children, homeless
applicant, veteran, or surviving spouse of veteran.
The participant distribution as of February 2026, is noted below. Due to the overlapping
categories, the total does not equal 100%:
· 42.9% are elderly and/or disabled single tenants
· 9.3% are single parents with children in the household
· 12.3% have children in the household
· 66.1% have a head or spouse who is either elderly and/or disabled
The County Housing Authority is committed to providing greater access to areas with higher
opportunities by advancing equitable access and opportunity for assisted households to live in
safe and affordable housing. Rental assistance voucher holders can choose housing in areas that
best fit their individual household needs. To expand housing opportunities for voucher holders,
the County Housing Authority provides higher level of rental assistance in neighborhoods with
greater opportunity.
The County Housing Authority incorporates “voice of the customer” in development of policy
and budget through consultation with the Housing Authority’s Resident Advisory Board and
through the inclusion of tenant commissioners on the Housing Authority Board of
Commissioners. The County Housing Authority is committed to transparency and open
government and the PHA plan is broadly distributed to stakeholders for public review and
comment prior to adoption by the County Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The proposed actions will advance the County of San Diego (County) Sustainability Goals #1, #2
and #4 by engaging the community in meaningful ways, providing just and equitable access to
County services, and protecting the health and well-being of residents. Engaging the public and
assisted tenants in the policy planning process creates intentional collaborative community
engagement opportunities that strengthen healthy, safe, and thriving communities. Resident
Advisory Board meetings are held throughout the year and facilitate discussion regarding
housing needs within the community. The inclusion of tenant commissioners also brings a lived
experience lens to the governing body of the County Housing Authority when approving
program activities such as the Public Housing Agency Plan, the annual budget requests for
funding, changes in program administration, and implementation of housing programs. These
programs serve to remove barriers from low-income families seeking to live in areas of greater