Section 8 Housing Santa Maria Faces Growing Pressure
- 01. Section 8 Housing in Santa Maria: What You Need to Know Now
- 02. Current Section 8 Availability in Santa Maria
- 03. Key Affordable Housing Complexes in Santa Maria
- 04. How the Section 8 Program Works in Santa Maria
- 05. 2025 Income Limits for Santa Barbara County Section 8
- 06. Section 8 Fair Market Rents in Santa Maria (2025)
- 07. Contact Information for Housing Assistance
- 08. Recent Housing Developments in Santa Maria
Section 8 Housing in Santa Maria: What You Need to Know Now
As of October 20, 2025, Santa Maria, California has 245 Section 8 apartments available across 16 affordable housing complexes, but the waiting lists remain closed with no scheduled openings. The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara serves the area and administers the Housing Choice Voucher program, where tenants typically pay 30% of their income toward rent while the authority covers approximately 70%.
Current Section 8 Availability in Santa Maria
Santa Maria faces growing pressure on its affordable housing resources as demand significantly exceeds supply. The city has 142 public housing buildings and 836 approved low-income housing units total, but Section 8 vouchers remain extremely limited.
- 245 Section 8 apartments currently available across the city
- 16 affordable housing complexes serve Santa Maria residents
- Waiting list status: CLOSED with no opening date announced
- 2 housing authorities serve the Santa Maria area
- Average property rent: $3,429/month (market rate)
Key Affordable Housing Complexes in Santa Maria
| Complex Name | Units Available | Housing Type |
|---|---|---|
| The Vizcaya Apartments | 236 units | Mixed Section 8/Public |
| Westgate Courtyards | 204 units | Low-Income |
| Rancho Gardens Apartments I | 104 units | Section 8 |
| Central Plaza Apartments | 112 units | Low-Income |
| Los Adobes De Maria II | 52 units | Section 8 |
| Rancho Hermosa | 47 units | Affordable |
| Los Adobes De Maria III | 34 units | Section 8 |
| Ted Zenich Gardens | 24 units | Public Housing |
How the Section 8 Program Works in Santa Maria
The Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly Section 8) is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and disabled individuals to afford decent housing in the private market. Eligibility is determined by household size, total annual gross income, and U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status.
- Verify income eligibility: Household income must generally be below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
- Contact the local housing authority: Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara manages programs
- Join the waiting list: When opened, submit application with required documentation
- Attend the interview: Present original documents including proof of income, ID, and Social Security numbers
- Find qualifying housing: Once approved, select any private rental that accepts vouchers and passes inspection
2025 Income Limits for Santa Barbara County Section 8
For 2025, themedian Family Income for Santa Barbara County is $113,300, and at least 75% of annual new admissions must be at or below 30% of AMI.
| Household Size | Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) | Very Low Income (50% AMI) | Low Income (80% AMI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $33,150 | $55,250 | $88,400 |
| 2 persons | $37,900 | $63,100 | $101,000 |
| 3 persons | $42,650 | $71,050 | $113,650 |
| 4 persons | $47,350 | $78,900 | $126,250 |
| 5 persons | $51,150 | $85,250 | $136,350 |
| 6 persons | $54,950 | $91,550 | $146,450 |
Section 8 Fair Market Rents in Santa Maria (2025)
The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara pays about 70% of a tenant's rent, with the tenant responsible for the remaining 30%. Fair Market Rents are established by HUD and updated annually to reflect current market conditions.
| Unit Size | Price Range (Monthly) | Section 8 Payment Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,864 - $2,796 | $2,330 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,121 - $3,181 | $2,651 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,395 - $3,593 | $2,994 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $3,197 - $4,795 | $3,996 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,622 - $5,434 | $4,528 |
Contact Information for Housing Assistance
The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara (HASBARCO) operates offices throughout the county including a Santa Maria/Guadalupe office.
- Santa Maria Office: 200 West Williams, Santa Maria, CA 93454 | Phone: 925-4393
- Administrative Office: 815 West Ocean Avenue, Lompoc, CA 93436 | Phone: 736-3423
- Toll Free (in-state): 433-0333
- Website: www.hasbarco.org
- Section 8 Contact: Jerry Morales, JMorales@hacsb.org
Recent Housing Developments in Santa Maria
Santa Maria is actively expanding affordable housing resources. In 2024, over 300 new low-income housing units were announced for the city. The Hi-Way Drive-In housing development includes 49 homes for low-income households, with first phases expected completed by early 2027. A state grant of more than $4 million supports farmworker homeownership at the Hi-Way Drive-In project.
However, the growing pressure on Section 8 housing persists as demand continues to outpace available vouchers. With only 245 Section 8 apartments serving a population of over 100,000, the wait times remain extremely long. Families should monitor the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara website for waiting list openings and explore alternative affordable housing programs in the meantime.
What are the most common questions about Section 8 Housing Santa Maria Faces Growing Pressure?
What Documents Do I Need to Apply for Section 8 in Santa Maria?
You must provide proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or benefits statements), identification for all household members, Social Security numbers, birth certificates, and proof of citizenship or eligible immigration status. Applications may also ask for housing history, criminal history, and preference verification.
Is the Section 8 Waiting List Open in Santa Maria Right Now?
No. As of May 30, 2026, there are no current Section 8 waiting lists open for Santa Barbara County, and the lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara is not accepting applications for any waiting lists.
How Much Rent Does Section 8 Pay in Santa Maria?
Tenants generally pay 30% of their adjusted monthly income toward rent and utilities, while HUD/housing authority covers the remainder. For example, if your adjusted income is $1,500/month, your share is about $450, and the authority pays the difference up to the contract rent.
What Are the Top Affordable Housing Options in Santa Maria?
The best apartments in Santa Maria include Rancho Hermosa, Evans Park, Central Plaza Apartments, Westgate Courtyards, and The Vizcaya Apartments. Evans Park is a public housing development with 4 accessible units, though its Section 8 waitlist is closed.
Are There Alternative Housing Assistance Programs in Santa Maria?
Yes. People's Self-Help Housing received a $4,004,000 state grant in 2023 to increase farmworker homeownership. The Skylight Homes project (49 single-family homes for low-income households) broke ground in January 2026, with applications opening in fall 2025. Project Homekey converted a Motel 6 into 75 permanent housing units for homeless individuals using nearly $18 million in state funding.
