Housing Department Updates Section 8 List

Pasadena residents who completed an application for Section 8 during the two-week application period in June have been moved to an updated list, according to Housing Director William Huang.

On June 1, the Housing Department opened the Section 8 waiting list for a two-week application window and received 27,032 applications. 

As planned, the Department conducted a lottery, following local preference requirements, to reduce the waiting list to a more manageable 7,500 households. 

All applicants from Pasadena who successfully completed an application during the application window are on the new waiting list.

There were 5,088 applications from households whose members live or work in Pasadena.

The Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as Section 8, provides rental assistance to very low-income households. The Housing Department gives preference to applicants on the waitlist who live or work in the City of Pasadena, are a veteran, have a disability, or are experiencing homelessness.

The Housing Department administers 1,501 Section 8 vouchers, with most of these in use by eligible households at any given time. Vouchers available due to turnover are issued to applicants on the waitlist, with approximately 150 turnover vouchers available per year.

Participating households are expected to contribute roughly 30% of their adjusted gross income toward rent and utilities, with the Housing Department covering the remaining costs.