What Berkeley Housing Authority does

Berkeley Housing Authority (BHA) is the public housing agency for the city of Berkeley, California. It administers housing vouchers, manages public housing units, and runs programs that help people with low incomes find and keep stable housing. BHA does not build or own most of the housing it helps pay for — it issues vouchers that tenants use with private landlords, and it owns a smaller portfolio of public housing buildings.

BHA is a separate government entity from the city of Berkeley, though it operates under city oversight. It receives federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and uses that money to subsidize rent for households that meet income limits. If you live in Berkeley and need housing help, BHA is usually the first place to contact because it runs the main subsidy programs available locally.

Key Takeaways

  • Berkeley Housing Authority administers Section 8 vouchers, public housing units, and other rental information programs funded by the federal government.
  • To work with BHA, you must live in Berkeley, meet income limits (which vary by household size), and have a valid Social Security number or immigration status documentation.
  • BHA maintains a waiting list for vouchers and public housing that is often closed; you can contact them to learn the current status and ask to be notified when it reopens.
  • BHA staff can tell you which programs you may be able to use, what documents you will need, and what the timeline looks like before you receive a voucher or housing offer.

How to contact Berkeley Housing Authority

Berkeley Housing Authority's main office is located at 1515 Bonita Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94702. You can reach them by phone at (510) 981-8000 during business hours. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., though hours may vary by department.

When you call, tell the staff member which program you are asking about — Section 8 vouchers, public housing, or emergency information. They can tell you whether that program's waiting list is open and what documents you need to bring if you want to visit in person. Many people find it faster to call first rather than showing up without an appointment, because staff can confirm what you need before you make the trip.

BHA also has a website where you can find program information, read forms, and check waiting list status. The website address and any online portals are best confirmed by calling or visiting in person, since web addresses and online systems change.

Section 8 vouchers and the waiting list

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is BHA's largest program. It gives you a voucher that you can use to rent from a private landlord anywhere in the Bay Area (not just Berkeley). BHA pays the landlord a portion of your rent, and you pay the rest. The amount BHA pays depends on the size of the unit and the neighborhood, not on your income.

BHA's Section 8 waiting list is usually closed, meaning you cannot add your name to it at this moment. The list opens periodically — sometimes once every few years, sometimes more often — and when it does, it fills up quickly. You can call BHA to ask whether the list is currently open. If it is closed, ask them to put you on a notification list so they can contact you when it reopens.

If you are on the waiting list, BHA will contact you when it is your turn. The wait can be months or years depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many vouchers BHA receives from HUD each year. While you wait, your household circumstances may change — if they do, tell BHA because it may affect your priority or your rent calculation later.

Public housing units managed by BHA

BHA owns and manages public housing buildings throughout Berkeley. These are apartments where you pay rent directly to BHA, and your rent is set at 30 percent of your household income (or the minimum rent, whichever is higher). Public housing is different from a voucher because you are renting from BHA itself, not from a private landlord.

BHA's public housing waiting list is also usually closed. Like the Section 8 list, it opens at irregular intervals. Call BHA to ask the current status. If the list is closed, ask to be notified when it opens again. Public housing typically has a shorter wait than Section 8 in some areas, but that varies year to year.

Public housing units are scattered throughout Berkeley — you do not get to choose the building or neighborhood when you are offered a unit. BHA will offer you the next available unit that matches your household size. If you turn down an offer, you may lose your place on the waiting list, so ask BHA what happens before you decline.

Income limits and household size requirements

BHA programs have income limits based on the area median income (AMI) for the San Francisco Bay Area. The limits change each year and depend on how many people live in your household. A single person has a lower limit than a family of four. To find out whether your household income falls within the limit, call BHA and give them your household size and gross monthly income — they can tell you in minutes whether you are within range.

Income includes wages, Social Security, disability payments, child support, and other regular money coming into the household. It does not include one-time payments or money from certain information programs. BHA will ask you to bring recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit letters to prove your income when you explore.

If your income is above the limit, you cannot use BHA programs at that time. If your income drops later, you can contact BHA again to ask whether you now meet the requirement. Some people become income-may be able to access after job loss, retirement, or a change in household size.

Documents you will need to bring

When you contact BHA or visit in person, have the following documents ready: a photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit letters), proof of residency in Berkeley (a lease, utility bill, or mail from a government agency), and Social Security numbers or immigration documents for all household members. If you do not have a Social Security number, ask BHA what immigration documents they will accept instead.

If you are currently renting and want to use a Section 8 voucher, you will also need a copy of your lease. If you are homeless or living in temporary housing, tell BHA — they have different procedures for people without a current lease, and you may still be able to receive a voucher.

Bring originals or certified copies if possible. BHA staff can usually make copies for you on site, but calling ahead to confirm what they need saves time. If you are missing a document, ask BHA whether you can provide it later or whether there is an alternative they will accept.

What happens after you explore

After you submit your process, BHA will review it to confirm that your income and household size meet the program requirements. This review usually takes a few weeks. BHA may contact you by phone or mail if they need more information or clarification about your process.

If you are approved, you will be placed on the waiting list in the order your process was received (or in a priority category if you meet certain criteria, such as homelessness or disability). BHA will contact you when it is your turn. For Section 8, this means you will receive a voucher and instructions on how to find a landlord. For public housing, it means BHA will offer you a specific unit.

If you are denied, BHA must tell you why in writing. You have the right to request a hearing to dispute the decision. Ask BHA for information about the hearing process if you disagree with their decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to live in Berkeley to use BHA programs?

Yes, you must be a resident of Berkeley to be on BHA's waiting list or to receive a voucher or public housing unit. Once you have a Section 8 voucher, you can use it to rent anywhere in the Bay Area, but you must live in Berkeley at the time you explore. If you move out of Berkeley, you may lose your voucher or be transferred to another housing authority.

What if the Section 8 waiting list is closed?

Call BHA and ask to be added to a notification list. They will contact you when the waiting list reopens. In the meantime, you can explore other local rental information programs through 211 or the city of Berkeley's housing department. Some emergency or temporary information programs may be available even when the main waiting list is closed.

Can I use a Section 8 voucher with any landlord?

Not every landlord accepts Section 8 vouchers. Some landlords refuse because of the inspection requirements or because they prefer market-rate tenants. When you receive a voucher, BHA will give you a list of landlords who have previously accepted vouchers, but you can also approach landlords on your own. The landlord must pass a BHA inspection before you can move in.

What if my income changes after I am approved?

Tell BHA when ready if your income increases or decreases significantly. If your income rises above the limit, you may lose your voucher or be required to pay more rent. If your income drops, your rent may decrease. BHA recertifies income periodically, usually once a year, so changes will be caught then anyway — reporting early prevents surprises later.

How long does it take to get a voucher or housing unit?

The timeline depends on how many people are on the waiting list ahead of you and how many vouchers or units BHA receives each year. Waits can range from several months to several years. BHA can give you a rough estimate based on current list size when you call. The wait is usually longer for Section 8 vouchers than for public housing, but this varies.