Richmond California Housing Authority

About This Building

Different Housing Programs in Richmond Public Housing Program The Richmond Housing Authority offers affordable housing options for low and very low income residents of Richmond through several federally funded housing programs. One of these programs is the Public Housing Program, which aims to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, elderly residents, and persons with disabilities. Public housing is exclusively available for individuals and families with low income and certain eligibility criteria must be met, including annual gross income, U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status, and qualification as elderly, a person with a disability, or as a family. Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) Another housing program offered by the Richmond Housing Authority is the Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as Section 8. This program is the federal government's primary initiative to assist very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled in affording decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Through this program, participants are given the freedom to find their own housing, ranging from single-family homes to townhouses and apartments. Unlike public housing, the housing choice voucher program is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects. Administered locally by the Richmond Housing Authority, housing choice vouchers are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Once issued a housing voucher, families are responsible for locating a suitable housing unit of their choice, as long as the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit can even be the family's current residence. To ensure the health and safety of the participants, rental units must meet the minimum standards set by the Richmond Housing Authority. Under this program, a housing subsidy is paid directly to the landlord by the Richmond Housing Authority on behalf of the participating family. The family then covers the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the subsidized amount. In some cases, the Richmond Housing Authority may authorize families to use their voucher to purchase a modest home. Eligibility for a housing voucher is determined by the Richmond Housing Authority based on the total annual gross income and family size. Additionally, this program is open to U.S. citizens as well as specific categories of non-citizens with eligible immigration status. Generally, a family's income cannot exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area in which they choose to live.