The Santa Clara County Housing Authority (SCCHA) administers federal Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers across the county. Landlords accepting vouchers must pass an HQS inspection and cannot refuse applicants based on voucher status.
Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers are funded by HUD and operated locally by the Santa Clara County Housing Authority (SCCHA), which serves all 15 cities and unincorporated areas. Participating landlords sign a Housing Assistance Payments contract, accept a tenant rent share calculated on income (typically about 30 percent), and pass an annual Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection covering habitability, lead, electrical, and life-safety items. Refusal to rent to voucher holders violates Cal. Gov. Code §12955 as amended by SB-329. SCCHA also operates project-based vouchers, the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, and special-purpose vouchers for veterans (VASH), foster youth, and homeless households through the Continuum of Care.
Landlords who reject voucher holders or fail HQS inspections without remedy lose payments, face fair-housing complaints, and may incur civil penalties of up to $25,000 under FEHA Gov. Code §12955.
See how Palo Alto's section 8 voucher acceptance rules stack up against other locations.
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