Low Income Apartments and Affordable Housing For Rent in Hayward, CA (2024)

FAQs

What is considered low income in Hayward? ›

In Hayward, a family of four that earns just over $100,000 a year is considered low-income. You can look at the state income limits for 2023, here. "People who are working with jobs contributing to the community still need affordable housing to stay in the communities," said Morales.

“Affordable housing cost” for lower-income households is defined in State law as not more than 30 percent of gross household income with variations (Health and Safety Code Section 50052.5). The comparable federal limit, more widely used, is 30 percent of gross income, with variations.

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), in 2021, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom apartment in California was $2,030. In order to afford this level of rent and utilities — without paying more than 30% of income on housing — a household must earn $6,766 monthly, or $81,191 annually.

To be eligible for the program, a family's gross annual income must be below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) in Los Angeles County. Seventy-five percent of new admissions must have gross annual incomes at or below 30% of the AMI. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) determines the AMI yearly.

You are income-eligible

Your household's total pre-tax (gross) income does not exceed the San Francisco's Area Median Income (AMI) by household size and AMI percentage. Income eligibility differs between properties, but generally, it's 100% AMI. (For 2023, 100% AMI for one person is $8404 per month.)

It could take several weeks or months to process your application, verify your eligibility and issue you a Voucher for rental assistance. You can shorten the time it takes by promptly submitting all documentation requested by the Housing Authority and showing up at your appointments on time.

Fair Market Rents and Section 8 Landlords

In most cases, the local housing authority, funded by HUD, will pay about 70% of a tenant's rent, while the tenant will pay the other 30%. Fair Market Rents generally determine the maximum rent that a Section 8 landlord will be allowed to charge its residents.

What can cause termination from Section 8 housing? Some common reasons include the tenant (or their guests) engaging in drug-related activity, not paying rent, Page 2 engaging in criminal activity, or violation of terms of the lease, to name a few. Fraud is another reason a recipient may be terminated from the program.

How much will Section 8 pay for a 2 bedroom in California? ›

California's Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) restricts how much landlords can raise rent for their rental properties. The law imposes a statewide rent cap, limiting annual rent increases to 5% of the current rent plus the local rate of inflation, or 10% of the current rent, whichever is lower.

The “Very Low” annual income limit ranges from $50,000 for one person to $71,400 for four. “Low” ranges from $76,750 for one person to $109,600 for four.

The Emergency Housing Vouchers are administered through a direct referral process. Local Housing Authorities are working with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) to obtain referrals. If you think you are eligible for the program, please contact a Coordinated Entry System Access Center in your region.

Again, using a family of four as our benchmark, this is between $54,000 and $86,300 in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties and between $60,600 and $97,000 in Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties.

Where you rank by income. According to the Census Bureau's Income in the United States: 2022 report, the median household income is $74,580 (a 2.3% decline from 2021), while household income levels for each class level are as follows: Lower class: less than or equal to $30,000. Lower-middle class: $30,001 – $58,020.