The amount of a one-bedroom Section 8 voucher in California is not a single, fixed sum statewide; it varies significantly by location, specifically by city and county, and is subject to annual adjustments. These amounts are determined by local housing authorities based on the Fair Market Rents (FMRs) or Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMRs) set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
For instance, in National City, California, the payment standards for a one-bedroom Section 8 voucher, effective November 1, 2024, range from $1,740 to $1,827.
Understanding Section 8 Voucher Amounts
Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) help low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities afford safe and decent housing in the private market. The voucher amount, also known as the "payment standard," represents the maximum subsidy a housing authority will pay for a unit of a specific size in a particular area.
Several factors influence these varying amounts:
- Geographic Location: Housing costs differ dramatically across California. What might be an adequate voucher amount in a less expensive inland area would be insufficient in a high-cost coastal city like San Francisco or Los Angeles.
- Bedroom Size: As housing units increase in size (more bedrooms), the payment standard generally increases to reflect the higher cost of larger properties.
- HUD Fair Market Rents (FMRs) / Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMRs): HUD calculates FMRs annually for metropolitan areas and non-metropolitan counties nationwide. SAFMRs are used in some areas to provide more granular, neighborhood-specific payment standards, reflecting localized market conditions within a broader metropolitan area.
Example: Section 8 Payment Standards in National City, California
To illustrate how these amounts are structured, here are the payment standards for various bedroom sizes in National City, California, effective November 1, 2024:
| Bedroom Size | Payment Standards (Monthly) |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,600 - $1,664 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,740 - $1,827 |
| 2 Bedroom | $2,150 - $2,258 |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,870 - $3,014 |
It's important to note that the tenant's portion of the rent is typically around 30% of their adjusted gross income, with the housing authority covering the difference up to the payment standard. If a unit's rent exceeds the payment standard, the tenant may pay the difference, but generally, their total rent portion cannot exceed 40% of their adjusted monthly income upon initial lease-up.
For more detailed information on the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, you can visit the official HUD website.
