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Voucher CompassSection 8, made clear · by Green Tips 1

Independent guide, not a government agency

Housing authority · Santa Barbara, CA

Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara Section 8 contact, income limits and rents

Runs housing choice vouchers in Santa Barbara County. HUD data lists 2,956 Section 8 units for it. Here is how to reach it, the income limits HUD set for the area and the rents HUD uses as a reference.

(805) 965-1071Income limitsRents
Example of modest rental housing in California (illustrative image)
Illustrative image
Section 8 units (HUD data)2,956Not the number of open spots
ProgramsHousing Choice Vouchers
Address808 Laguna St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Before you call

  1. Ask if the waiting list is openThis site does not know. Only the housing authority does.
  2. Ask how to applyOnline, by mail or in person, and which documents to bring.
  3. Write it downThe date, the name of the person and what they said.
See the documents checklist

Income limits in Santa Barbara County

People in the household
Extremely low30% of median$49,200per year
Very low50% of median · voucher limit$81,950per year
Low80% of median$131,150per year
Full table, 1 to 8 people
People30%50%80%
1$38,300$63,750$102,000
2$43,750$72,850$116,600
3$49,200$81,950$131,150
4$54,650$91,050$145,700
5$59,050$98,350$157,400
6$63,400$105,650$169,050
7$67,800$112,950$180,700
8$72,150$120,200$192,350

Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA MSA · area median family income $118,600 · HUD FY2026.

50%

Income limit. In general, a family's income may not be above 50% of the area median.

75%

Lowest incomes first. By law, 75% of new vouchers go to families at or below 30% of the median.

30%

The family's share. A family with a voucher generally pays about 30% of its monthly adjusted income for rent and utilities.

The housing authority checks income, family size and citizenship or eligible immigration status, and makes the decision.

Fair Market Rents

HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for each area and home size. A housing authority can set its payment standard, the most the voucher pays toward rent, anywhere from 90% to 110% of it without asking HUD.

  • Studio$2,479
  • 1 bedroom$2,711
  • 2 bedrooms$3,106
  • 3 bedrooms$3,990
  • 4 bedrooms$4,557

Payment standard range for 2 bedrooms: $2,795 to $3,417 a month (90% to 110%)

Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA MSA · HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, per month.

Housing authorities nearby

All housing authorities in California

HUD code CA076. Sources: HUD Open Data: Public Housing Authorities (updated by HUD on Oct 23, 2026); HUD USER: FY2026 Section 8 Income Limits; HUD USER: FY2027 Fair Market Rents; HUD: Housing Choice Voucher fact sheet; 24 CFR 982.503 (payment standard basic range). Confirm everything with the housing authority.