ANAHEIM, Calif. — Within two hours of Anaheim opening a waitlist for a Section 8 voucher, the city’s housing department received over 2,000 applicants.
After closing the Section 8 voucher waitlist in 2019, Anaheim has reopened a new list after acquiring funding from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department.
City officials said the Anaheim Housing Authority received $10 million from HUD to fund up to 300 vouchers, which helps low-income renters cover part or most of their monthly rent.
Along with the 300 vouchers, some of the money will be allocated to help current voucher holders offset rent increases, said Erin Ryan, a spokesperson for Anaheim to Spectrum News.
"It's no surprise Southern California is seeing incredible challenges with renting," said Ryan. "We have this great opportunity and receiving additional funding and giving vouchers out to those who need them. We have staff in hand that can help people find housing."
Anaheim opened the Section 8 waitlist earlier this week and, within the first two hours, received 2,000 applications, Ryan said.
The high demand highlights the struggles of many individuals looking for affordable housing as state and some local pandemic-related renter protection and eviction moratoriums end.
HUD works with local government housing agencies and finances the Section 8 program to help subsidies monthly rent for extremely low, very low-income individuals and families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities to private landlords.
Most Section 8 holders spend about 30% of their income on rent, with the voucher covering the rest. The renter has to meet certain income eligibility criteria to receive a voucher and find a landlord that accepts it. Many landlords, however, are reluctant to take in someone with a housing voucher due to false perceptions of those with one.
In Orange County, where the median income is $119,000, an individual must earn between $28,500 to $47,450 to qualify for a voucher. A family of four can be eligible for a voucher if the heads of the household make a total of $40,650 to $67,750.
Ryan said the voucher holder is subject to an annual review to ensure they are within the specific income limit to continue qualifying for the program.
Anaheim is only opening the voucher wait list for a month before closing it at 4:59 p.m. on April 6. The city's housing authority can only accept 10,000 applications, and preference is given to those who live or work in Anaheim and military veterans. However, Ryan encourages individuals who may qualify to apply.
Applicants will be placed on the list by random drawing. Those chosen will be notified by email at a later date.
City officials said being placed on the list does not guarantee housing assistance. Those on the wait list could be called immediately or wait years until they are chosen.
The last time Anaheim opened a waitlist for Section 8 Housing was from July 29 to Aug. 9 in 2019. The city received 7,500 applications.
Ryan said since July 2019, the city has issued 1,000 vouchers.
People interested in applying for a Section 8 voucher can do so online, visit the Anaheim Housing Authority office at 201 S. Anaheim Blvd., Suite 203 in Anaheim, or for those who are disabled and require an accommodation, call (714) 765-4654 for assistance.