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Rental Assistance Programs
ORANGE COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY (OCHA)
Orange County Housing Authority (OCHA) is the division of OC Community Services Department that administers rental assistance programs throughout Orange County except in the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove and Santa Ana. Those cities operate their own city-wide rental assistance programs.
Currently, OCHA assists approximately 10,000 income-qualified households to receive rental assistance in a variety of apartments, houses, and other rental dwellings owned by private landlords. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)provides the funding for rental assistance programs adminstered by OCHA.
Eligible senior citizens, disabled persons, and families receive a "Housing Choice Voucher" that can be used throughout the United States. Participants select the rental unit; OCHA must inspect and approve the unit, enter into a contract with the owner and send directly to the owner a monthly Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). Assisted tenants pay the balance of the contract rent, which is based on their income.
Property Owners & Landlords
In addition to low-income households, more than 3,800 owners or managers of rental properties participate in rental assistance programs and have made one or more units available. Any owner can participate (although there are restrictions on renting to relatives) and many find that the program offers great benefits including low turnover, timely, dependable rental payments, direct deposit, and free annual property inspections. Call us to discuss the advantages of making your rental unit available under the program.
Housing Choice Vouchers
Housing Choice Vouchers establish a subsidy amount for each participant based on 30% of their adjusted monthly income, and number of persons residing in the household. Assisted households can then shop for rental units knowing in advance how much OCHA will pay towards the rent. Participants will pay no less than 30% of their adjusted monthly income as their share, and are not allowed to pay more than 40% of their adjusted monthly income towards the initial rent.
Confused? Here's an example:
OCHA's rental assistance is calculated from the Payment Standards, which are based on the Housing Voucher bedroom size, for which the family is eligible. OCHA's current Payment Standards are: (Note: restricted areas in south county have higher payment standards)
OCHA’s Payment Standards
| Effective October 1, 2008 |
$1,185 |
$1,330 |
$1,595 |
$2,282 |
$2,622 |
What Types of Housing Units are Eligible?
After receiving a Housing Voucher, participants are able to shop for a variety of rental units in Orange County, within the state or anywhere in the United States. Most types of rental housing are eligible for the program, including single-family homes, apartments, condominiums or mobile homes. Housing for special needs might also qualify. The landlord must agree to accept the conditions of the Housing Choice Voucher program. Except for Reasonable Accommodation for a disability, participants cannot rent from relatives. Persons who own a mobile home and rent the space may also be assisted.
Each Housing Voucher has a deadline date and the family must find a rental unit and lease-up within this time limit.
Eligibility Guidlines
The Housing Choice Voucher Program can assist households whose income is below 50% of Orange County's median income:
- Elderly persons, i.e. 62 years or older
- Disabled persons (for at least one year)
- Families and individuals
Eligibility Limits for OCHA Housing Choice Voucher Program
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| Family Size |
L50 (Very Low Income) |
| 1 |
$32,550 |
| 2 |
$37,200 |
| 3 |
$41,850 |
| 4 |
$46,500 |
| 5 |
$50,200 |
| 6 |
$53,950 |
| 7 |
$57,650 |
| 8 |
$61,400 |
Do I Qualify?
Find out if you qualify to apply for rental assistance.
Housing Choice Voucher Program Estimated Rent Calculation
Use this calculation tool to see what your estimated rent may be once you qualify for the Housing Choice Voucher Rental Assistance Program.
How do I apply for a Housing Voucher?
- Waiting List: Applicants generally submit a pre-application for a Housing Choice Voucher and their name is placed on a waiting list. Applicants are placed on the list based on what preferences they qualify for. Those applicants living or working within OCHA's jurisdiction (all cities in Orange County except: Anaheim, Garden Grove and Santa Ana) are given a Member Preference. Priority is then given to families of U.S. Veterans or U.S. Servicemen, then elderly and/or disabled persons, and working families.
OCHA is not acepting applications at this time, and should begin accepting applications again sometime in the next two years.
- Special Programs: In addition to the Housing Choice Voucher Program, OCHA has a limited number of Housing Vouchers that are dedicated for special needs and programs, such as Family Unification, and Shelter Plus Care. Persons receiving these Vouchers or Certificates are selected through the County's Social Services Agency or the County's Health Care Agency. These agencies have specific agreements with OCHA to provide housing benefits to qualified clients and are referred to OCHA through by them.
OCHA also operates a successful Family Self-Sufficiency Program that currently has more than 300 participants and has graduated over 100 families who are all completely independent of any government assistance.
Orange County Housing Authority
1770 N. Broadway
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 480-2700
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