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.
San Jose, CA
San Jose's Ellis Act and Tenant Protection Ordinance under SJMC Chapter 17.23 requires just cause for eviction of tenants in rent-stabilized units. Landlords...
San Jose, CA
San Jose enforces habitability standards through the Multiple Housing Inspection Program and California Civil Code Section 1941.1. Rental units must have wor...
See how San Jose's section 8 voucher acceptance rules stack up against other locations.
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