Applicants and program participants have the right to disagree with, ask questions about, and/or appeal certain decisions from the Authority that may adversely affect them. The process when an applicant appeals the Authority’s decisions is called an “informal review.” For program participants, the appeal process is called an “informal hearing.” If you are an applicant or a participant, you may request an informal review or hearing by following the below procedures. 

 

Informal Reviews for Applicants 

What can I request an Informal Review for?

You can request an informal review of a decision of denial of assistance. Denial of assistance may include any or all of the following: 

• Denying listing on the Authority waiting list 

• Denying or withdrawing a voucher 

• Refusing to enter into a HAP contract or approve a lease 

• Refusing to process or provide assistance under portability procedures

• Denial of assistance based on an unfavorable history that may be the result of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.    

 

How do I request an Informal Review?

You must make a request for an informal review in writing and it must be received by the Authority either in person or by first class mail no later than 15 calendar days from the date on the Authority’s denial of assistance. The Authority must respond to the informal review or hearing request within 15 calendar days of receipt of your request.
 

Informal Hearings for Program Participants 

What can I request an Informal Hearing for?

You can request an informal hearing for: 

• A determination of the family’s annual or adjusted income that is used to determine your portion of the rent paid 

• A determination of the appropriate utility allowance (if any) for tenant-paid utilities from the Authority’s utility allowance schedule 

• A determination of the family’s voucher size under the Authority’s subsidy standards 

• A determination to terminate assistance for a participant family because of the family’s actions or failure to act 

• A determination to terminate assistance because the participant has been absent from the assisted unit for longer than 180 days under the Authority’s policy 

• A determination to terminate a family’s Family Self Sufficiency contract, withhold supportive services, or propose forfeiture of the family’s escrow account 

• Denial of a Reasonable Accommodation

How do I request an Informal Hearing? 

A request for an informal hearing must be made in writing and must be received by the Authority either in person or by first class mail, no later than 15 calendar days from the date of the correspondence initiating the request for a hearing (for example, from the date of a denial of reasonable accommodation). The Authority must schedule and send written notice of the informal hearing within 15 calendar days of receipt of your request. 

The Authority will make an initial attempt to determine which dates and times are available to you, your representative, and Authority staff. If you do not respond within 72 hours of the initial correspondence (phone call or e-mail) then the Authority will schedule the date and time of the hearing and provide this confirmation to you.
 

Who can attend my Informal Hearing?

In addition to you, the participant, hearings may be attended by a hearing officer and the following applicable persons:

• An Authority representative(s) and any witnesses for the Authority 

• Any witnesses for you, the participant

• Your counsel or other representative 

• Any other person approved by the Authority as a reasonable accommodation for a person with a disability

More information on the Authority’s Informal Review and Informal Hearing processes can be found in the Authority’s Administrative Plan on the Authority’s website here.

What is a reasonable accommodation?

If you or anyone in your family is a person with one or more disabilities and you require a specific accommodation to fully use our programs and services, you can request a reasonable accommodation. A reasonable accommodation could include: 

• TDD or TTY Devices

• Conducting home visits. 

• Assistance to persons with limited written comprehension.

• Time extensions for locating a unit when necessary, because of lack of availability of accessible units or special challenges of the family seeking the unit.

• Allowing a PHA approved live-in aide to reside in the unit if that person is determined to be essential to the care of a person with disabilities, is not obligated for the support of the person with disabilities, and would not be otherwise living in the unit.

• Providing large print forms.

• Allowing a PHA to approve the leasing of a unit owned by a prohibited relative 

• Granting a larger bedroom size if needed for the presence of medical equipment

 

For your reasonable accommodation to be approved, there must be an identifiable relationship or connection between the requested accommodation and your disability. The Authority may deny your request if it cannot verify that there is a disability-related need for the accommodation or if it poses an undue financial and administrative burden. If your request is denied, the Authority will consider the availability of alternative accommodations that would effectively meet your disability-related needs. Family members, service providers, and other advocates may also make requests on your behalf.

How do I make a request for a reasonable accommodation?

You should make a request in writing using the Authority’s Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here in the following languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese. However, the Authority will consider the accommodation any time you indicate that an accommodation is needed whether or not a formal written request is submitted.

If you need help in filling out a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form, or if you want to give us your request in some other way, we will help you. 

If your disability and the need for the accommodation is not known or obvious, the Authority will request third-party verification that the accommodation is necessary because of your disability. Therefore, we suggest that along with the Request Form, please also submit a third-party verification of your disability, such as a Care Provider Verification Form, which is attached to the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form, a letter from or the contact information of a doctor, other medical professional, non-medical service agency, or another reliable third-party who is in a position to know about your disability.

How long will it take to process a request of reasonable accommodation?

We will make a decision as soon as possible, at least within thirty (30) days from receipt of the request, unless you agree to an extension of time. We will let you know if we need more information or verification forms from you or if we would like to discuss other ways of meeting your needs. If we turn down your request, we will explain the reasons, and you can give us additional information if you think that will help.
 

Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program

Homeownership Program

Family Unification Program (FUP)

Foster Youth to Independence (FYI)

Mainstream

VASH

Yearly, the Authority must verify the income and household composition of all individuals and families participating in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. This is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to ensure that each family is paying their appropriate share of the rent and is occupying the proper sized unit. 
 

Families are required to provide all the information the Authority needs to verify the participant’s income and household composition. Even if nothing in a participant's situation has changed, they are still required to provide the requested information. 
 

Each year, participants will be mailed a reexamination packet. Normally, the process starts at least 120 days (four months) before the reexamination deadline. The participant must complete all documents in the packet and return them by the due date or bring them to the office appointment. After all required documents are received, the Authority will review and will notify the participant and property owner in writing of the updated rent portion and the effective date of the change.
 

There could be changes to the rent if:

• A participant’s income or assets have changed.

• The property owner has requested a rent increase.

• Someone has moved in or out of the household, which affects the number of bedrooms you are eligible for.

• The payment standard or utility allowances that the Authority uses to calculate the subsidy has changed.

We encourage all participants to plan ahead and keep income and asset information for everyone in their family on file to make it easier to submit the packet by the deadline. Failure to return paperwork or attend an annual reexamination appointment may result in the termination of assistance! If there is a crisis that causes a delay, contact our Customer Care Center.

Family circumstances may change between annual reexaminations. An interim reexamination is needed if there is a change in who lives in the unit or when there is a change in the household’s income. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations allow the Authority to conduct interim reexaminations of income or family makeup at any time. When an interim reexamination is conducted, only those factors that have changed are verified and adjusted. 
 

The family must notify the Authority of all changes in writing and provide all supporting documentation. The family is required to report all changes in family income and composition within 15 calendar days of the change with the exception of the birth, adoption, or court-awarded custody of a child which must be reported within 30 calendar days. Based on the type of change reported, the Authority will determine the documentation the family will be required to submit. The family must submit any required information or documents within 30 calendar days of receiving a request from the Authority. This timeframe may be extended for good cause with Authority approval. The family will be notified in writing if additional information is needed. After all required documents are received, the Authority will review and will notify the participant and property owner in writing of the updated rent portion and the effective date of the change. The Authority will accept required documentation through in-person, mail, fax or e-mail. Please find our Customer Care Center contact information here.

What is the Rental Assistance Demonstration/Project-Based Voucher program?

In the Rental Assistance Demonstration/Project-Based Voucher programs, property owners enter long term contracts with the Authority in which the Authority provides federally funded rental assistance for qualifying tenants. In most cases, the tenant pays 30% of their income in rent. The owner is responsible for enforcing the lease and maintaining the unit in accordance with Housing Quality Standards (HQS). The tenant is responsible for abiding by the lease and complying with the Family Obligations, as well as recertifying with the Housing Authority on an annual basis. The Authority is responsible for paying the monthly Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) so long as the owner remains in compliance and the tenant remains in good standing.

What is the difference between the RAD/PBV program and the Tenant-Based Voucher program?

In the RAD/PBV program, the family’s assistance is tied to the unit in which they reside. In the Tenant-Based Voucher program, the family may move with continued assistance. 

Who can apply for the RAD/PBV Waitlist?

Anyone may apply. At least one household member (this doesn't need to be the Head of Household) must be a U.S Citizen, U.S. National, or Non-Citizen with eligible immigration status. Please see additional Eligibility and Income Requirements at: https://sfha.org/housing-programs/waitlist

May I also apply for the Tenant-Based Voucher or Public Housing waitlists?

If other Authority waitlists are open, public notice will be given in local media and on the Authority’s website, and applicants are welcome to apply to any and all open waiting lists.
 

How and where can an applicant apply for the RAD/PBV Waitlists? 

Visit the Authority’s website at https://sfha.org for waitlist opening information. Complete the online waitlist application using a computer or mobile device with Internet access at: https://sfha.myhousing.com

Save the confirmation number to acknowledge successful submission of the application. You can take a screenshot on your mobile device, print, e-mail, or write the number down with pen and paper. 

Is the RAD/PBV waitlists opening only for San Francisco residents?

There is no residency requirement.

If someone has applied for a Section 8 waitlist before, can they apply this time also? 

Yes.

May existing participants of the Authority's housing programs (including the Tenant-Based Voucher program, the RAD/PBV program, and the Public Housing program) or participants of another Housing Authority's rental assistance program apply?

Yes, acceptance into the RAD/PBV program will be contingent upon relinquishing your existing subsidy.

How can I find out about my waitlist status?

While we do not provide waitlist positions to applicants due to the ever-changing nature of the waitlist, we can confirm if applicants are active on the waitlist. Please contact our Customer Care Center to request a confirmation that you are active on our waitlist.

How much income can a household make and still qualify for the RAD/PBV Program?

Total household income must not exceed 50% of Area Median Income (AMI).

Family Size	Extremely Low 30% of AMI	Very Low 50% of AMI	Low 80% of AMI
1	$40,600	$67,700	$108,300
2	$46,400	$77,400	$123,800
3	$52,200	$87,050	$139,250
4	$58,000	$96,700	$154,700
5	$62,650	$104,450	$167,100
6	$67,300	$112,200	$179,500

What are the current utility allowances for the PBV/RAD program?

You can find the current utility allowances for the PBV/RAD program here.

 

How much will my rent be in the PBV/RAD Program?

Families in the PBV/RAD program will generally pay at least 30% of their monthly adjusted income toward rent, not to exceed 40% of monthly adjusted income in the first year of the lease. The total tenant payment is the highest of the following amounts:

• 30% of the family’s monthly adjusted income 

• 10% of the family’s monthly gross income 

• A minimum rent of $25 

I have a voucher with another Housing Authority, and I want to move to San Francisco. Who do I contact?

If you have a voucher and want to move to San Francisco, the following steps must be taken:

• Contact your current housing authority and let them know you want to move to another city. Your current housing authority is required to provide you with information about this – this is called portability. 

• Once you have a new destination in mind, your current housing authority will gather documentation, which may include forms from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), family birth certificates, social security cards, IDs and income information, to complete your Portability Release Form. 

• Next, your current housing authority will mail the necessary documents to the Housing Authority of the City and County of San Francisco (Authority).

• Please note: Do not move until you have been issued a new voucher. You will lose your housing assistance if you move before being issued a new voucher!

• You must check-in with the Authority before renting a unit. We will provide you with information necessary for renting a unit in San Francisco. Do not rent a unit until it has been approved by our San Francisco team. If you rent a unit without approval, you may be responsible for the full rent and lose your Housing Choice Voucher assistance.

Is there anything else I should know before deciding to relocate to another Housing Authority?

• The Payment Standard may be different. This may affect the amount the Authority can contribute toward your rent.

• The Authority may change the bedroom size of your Voucher which also may affect your portion of rent.

• You will be required to follow the rules of the Authority.

 

Application and Eligibility

 

• What is the Rental Assistance Demonstration/Project-Based Voucher program?

In these programs, property owners enter long term contracts with the Authority in which the Authority provides federally funded rental assistance for qualifying tenants. In most cases, the tenant pays 30% of their income in rent. The owner is responsible for enforcing the lease and maintaining the unit in accordance with Housing Quality Standards (HQS). The tenant is responsible for abiding by the lease and complying with the Family Obligations, as well as recertifying with the Housing Authority on an annual basis. The Authority is responsible for paying the monthly Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) so long as the owner remains in compliance and the tenant remains in good standing.

 

• What is the Public Housing program?

The Public Housing program provides rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Eligibility is determined by the Housing Authority based on 1) annual gross income; 2) whether you qualify as elderly, a person with a disability, or as a family; 3) U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status. The tenant rental payment falls within the following: 30% of monthly adjusted income (after allowed deductions), $25 minimum rent, or flat rent (varies by property as determined by market survey). This varies on a case-by-case basis, and by the income limit standard. The tenant is still responsible for abiding by the lease and complying with the obligations set forth by the Housing Authority.

 

The two Public Housing properties within the Authority’s portfolio are: 

• Plaza East Apartments (1300 Buchanan Street, San Francisco, CA 94115)

  • Family site with 1-bedroom to 5-bedrooms

• North Beach Place (455 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133)

  • Family site with 1-bedroom to 5-bedrooms
     

• What is the difference between the RAD/PBV program and the Tenant-Based Voucher program?

In the RAD/PBV program, the family’s assistance is tied to the unit in which they reside. In the Tenant-Based Voucher program, the family may move with continued assistance. 

 

• What is the difference between the Public Housing program and the Housing Choice Voucher tenant-based program?

In the Public Housing program, the family’s assistance is tied to the unit in which they reside. In the Housing Choice Voucher tenant-based program, the subsidy is tied to the family, not the unit; the family may search for housing in the private rental market.

 

• Who can apply for the RAD/PBV or Public Housing Waitlist?

Anyone may apply. At least one household member (this doesn't need to be the Head of Household) must be a U.S Citizen, U.S. National, or Non-Citizen with eligible immigration status. Please see additional Eligibility and Income Requirements at: https://sfha.org/housing-programs/waitlist

• May I also apply for the RAD/PBV (Project-Based Voucher) and/or Tenant-Based Voucher waitlists?

If other Authority waitlists are open, public notice will be given in local media and on the Authority’s website, and applicants are welcome to apply to any and all open waiting lists.
 

• How and where can an applicant apply for the RAD/PBV Waitlists? 

Visit the Authority’s website at https://sfha.org for waitlist opening information. 

 

Complete the online waitlist application using a computer or mobile device with Internet access at: https://sfha.myhousing.com

 

Save the confirmation number to acknowledge successful submission of the application. You can take a screenshot on your mobile device, print, e-mail, or write the number down with pen and paper. 

• Is there a paper copy of the application? 

No, the application needs to be submitted online. There are community partners available to assist. The Authority's Customer Care Call Center also provides assistance over the phone and TTY line. More info is available on the website: https://sfha.org/housing-programs/waitlist

 

• What if the applicant does not have a phone number or e-mail address? 

A phone number and valid email address are required to apply. The applicant may create a new email address or use a family member’s phone number and email address; if a community partner is assisting with the application, the community partner’s phone number and email address may be used.

 

•  Will an account need to be created with a password at any point?

Applicants who are selected for placement on the waitlist can register for an account in the applicant portal after the waitlist closes; this will allow them to make changes to their application (update address, phone number, household member information, etc.). It is not required to register for an account. 

• Is there a requirement for the household to have a valid Social Security number? What is a mixed family?  

At least one citizen, national, or eligible noncitizen must have a valid Social Security number. Families that include eligible and ineligible individuals are considered mixed families. At least one household member would need to have a Social Security number at such time that the family reaches the top of the waitlist and a unit becomes available. There is not a requirement to provide the Social Security number to apply. 

• If the parents/guardians are undocumented, can the family still apply for assistance?

 Yes, they may still apply. In order to receive assistance, at least one household member must be a U.S. citizen or noncitizen with eligible immigration status. This one household member may be a minor. This would be considered a mixed family.

• Can two parents that are separated but have kids together apply separately with the kids on both applications?

Yes

• Can family members living in the same residence apply separately?

Yes.

• Is the RAD/PBV or Public Housing waitlists opening only for San Francisco residents?

There is no residency requirement.

• Can Veterans apply? 

Veterans are welcome to apply. 

• If someone has applied for a Section 8 waitlist before, can they apply this time also? 

Yes.

• If a tenant receives rental assistance from a different resource (e.g., Catholic Charities) can they apply?

 Yes.

• What happens if I submit multiple applications?

 The system automatically rejects duplicate applications.

• May existing participants of the Authority's housing programs (including the Tenant-Based Voucher program, the RAD/PBV program, and the Public Housing program) or participants of another Housing Authority's rental assistance program apply?

Yes, acceptance into the RAD/PBV program will be contingent upon relinquishing your existing subsidy.

• How much income can a household make and still qualify for the RAD/PBV Program?

Total household income must not exceed 50% of Area Median Income (AMI).

 

2025 INCOME LIMITS (Effective 4/1/2025)

Family Size	Extremely Low 30% of AMI	Very Low 50% of AMI	Low  80% of AMI
1	$40,600	$67,700	$108,300
2	$46,400	$77,400	$123,800
3	$52,200	$87,050	$139,250
4	$58,000	$96,700	$154,700
5	$62,650	$104,450	$167,100
6	$67,300	$112,200	$179,500

 

• Can applicants qualify for more than one preference?

No, unless an applicant qualifies for the Veteran/Surviving Spouse of Veteran preference. The Veteran/Surviving Spouse of Veteran preference may be combined with any other preference. For those not claiming the Veteran/Surviving Spouse of Veteran preference, only one preference may be claimed. 

• What are the preference categories? 

RAD	Veteran/Surviving Spouse of Veteran (+1) Families with a Right to Return (16 points) RAD Emergency Referral (15 points) Residents of Residential Care Facilities for the Chronically Ill (RCFCI)/ Transitional Residential Care Facilities (TRCF) (14 points) Mixed Families currently residing at non-RAD units at HOPE SF sites (13 points) Involuntarily Displaced with Residential Certificate of Preference (COP) (11 points) Department of Homeless and Supportive Housing Referral (HSH) (7 points) Families with minor children living in SROs with a referral from DBI (7 points) Involuntarily Displaced from San Francisco residence (5 points)
PBV	Veteran/Surviving Spouse of Veteran (+1) Involuntarily Displaced with Residential Certificate of Preference (COP) (11 points) Involuntarily Displaced from San Francisco Residence (5 points)
Public Housing	Veteran/Surviving Spouse of Veteran (+1) Involuntarily Displaced from San Francisco Residence (5 points)

 

Application Assistance

 

• If an applicant is a person with a disability and needs assistance in completing an application, how can they receive help?

Applicants who require assistance in completing an application because of a disability and/or limited English proficiency, can call the Housing Authority’s Customer Care Center at (415) 715-5200 from 8:00 AM PT to 7:00 PM PT on weekdays and 8:00 AM PT to 12:00 PM PT on weekends during the application period. If you have a hearing impairment, please use the TTY line at 711.

• If an applicant receives assistance from a community partner, will the community partner also receive the confirmation email? 

Only one email address will receive the confirmation email. The applicant can use their own email address, or the community partner email address can be used. A list of community partners available to assist with applications may be found at the bottom of the website: https://sfha.org/housing-programs/waitlist

 

After Submitting the Application

• How will an applicant know whether their application was submitted?

Once an application is submitted, you will be taken to the confirmation page that shows you have completed the application process and that your information is being submitted to the Authority. You will also be given a confirmation number with options to print or email the confirmation number. Applicants may also write down or take a clear picture of the confirmation number. It is important to save the confirmation number to check the lottery status after the waitlist has closed, or to register for an account in the applicant portal to make changes to the application.

• Can household members be added to the application later as situations might change? 

 Yes, the application information can be updated to add/remove members via the applicant portal.

• Does the confirmation email reveal any of the applicant’s information besides the confirmation number? 

 The confirmation email will contain the confirmation number and applicant’s name. 

 

• How will my application be placed on the waitlist?

Once the waitlist applications are closed, a lottery will be used to randomly select the applicants placed on the waitlist. The names selected through the lottery will be placed on the RAD/PBV or Public Housing waitlists and sorted according to applicable waitlist preferences. Applying for the lottery does NOT guarantee a place on the RAD/PBV or Public Housing waiting lists.

 

Waitlist and Results

 

• Will lottery result notifications be sent in any form other than email?

The lottery result notification will be sent via email only. Additionally, a lottery checker link will be added to the website approximately one week after the waitlist closes: https://sfha.org/housing-programs/waitlist 
 

• How will preferences affect how households are selected from the lottery?

Once the waitlist applications are closed, a lottery will be used to randomly select applicants to be placed on the applicable waitlist. Preferences do not give a household a higher likelihood of being selected for the waitlist lottery to be placed on the waitlist. Applying for the lottery does NOT guarantee a place on the waiting lists.

• How many households are being selected from the lottery to be placed on the waitlist? 

Once the waitlist applications are closed, a lottery will be used to randomly select how many applicants are placed on the waitlist. Check the waitlist opening notice for a breakdown of lottery slots by bedroom size and the total number of slots available.

 

• How long after the waitlist closes will I receive notification of whether or not my application was selected in the lottery to be placed on the waitlist?

The Housing Authority expects to send an email notification regarding lottery status within 30 days after the waitlist is closed. You may also check the website https://sfha.org/housing-programs/waitlist to check waitlist status. A lottery checker link will be added to this page approximately one week after the waitlist close date. 

 

• How long after the waitlist closes will I receive notification of whether or not my application was selected in the lottery to be placed on the waitlist?

If selected from the waitlist, the Housing Authority will mail a letter invitation for an in-person application interview to determine eligibility. Upon verifying eligibility for the program, the applicant will be offered a suitable unit. If the offer is rejected, the applicant will have up to three offers for RAD/PBV, or up to two offers for Public Housing, unless there is good cause for refusing the offer.

 

• What is the process if I am selected from the waitlist lottery to be placed on the waitlist, and I later receive an offer for housing?

If selected from the waitlist, the Housing Authority will mail a letter invitation for an in-person application interview to determine eligibility. Upon verifying eligibility for the program, the applicant will either be approved or denied. Upon approval, the applicant will be referred to the property they are eligible for. The property will conduct their own eligibility process, and if the applicant is approved, they will be offered a suitable unit. RAD/PBV applicants will be offered up to three units. If the applicant declines all three (3) units, then they will be removed from the waitlist. Applicants with good cause may refuse a unit without impacting the number of remaining units that will be made available. Public Housing applicants will be offered up to two (2) units.

 

• If I do not get selected for the PBV/RAD Waitlist or need immediate housing assistance, are there any housing resources available?

Please reference these resources:

 

Organization	Website	Resources
The Mayor's Office of  Housing and Community  Development (MOHCD)	https://sf.gov/departments/mayors-office-housing-and-community-development	Eviction Help Rental Housing Homeownership
Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH)	https://hsh.sfgov.org/services	Temporary Shelter Rental Assistance
San Francisco Human  Services Agency	https://www.sfhsa.org/services/housing	Housing Assistance Adult Assistance Family Services
AffordableHousing.com	https://www.affordablehousing.com	Rental Search
Compass Family Services	https://www.compass-sf.org/get-help	Groceries Diaper Bank Toiletries Mail Pick Up Community Referrals
Adobe Services	https://www.abodeservices.org/san- francisco-county	Resources for Currently or Previously Homeless