El Monte Section 8 Calculator — Los Angeles County Income Limits & Rent Estimate
Renters in El Monte, CA often search for the Housing Choice Voucher program — commonly called Section 8. Vouchers help very low-income households afford rent in private housing. In this city or town, HUD rules are usually applied through a Public Housing Authority (PHA) serving Los Angeles County.
Expanded local guide
Section 8 in El Monte — LACDA Vouchers, Waiting Lists & Los Angeles County Housing
Local Section 8 guide for El Monte and Los Angeles County: El Monte Housing Authority and LACDA vouchers, waiting list status, payment standards, income limits, and estimated tenant rent share.
Updated September 12, 2026
Housing Authority Serving El Monte
- Agency: El Monte Housing Authority / Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA)
- Jurisdiction: City of El Monte and unincorporated Los Angeles County
- Waiting list status: Opens periodically; check the official portal
- Application portal: lacda.org | ci.el-monte.ca.us
- Main office: 11333 Valley Blvd, El Monte, CA 91731 | LACDA: 700 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801
- Phone: (626) 580-2016 (El Monte) | (626) 262-4511 (LACDA)
El Monte is a densely populated San Gabriel Valley city with a rich Latino cultural heritage and a large working-class population. As one of the more affordable cities in western Los Angeles County, El Monte has a correspondingly high demand for housing assistance, and LACDA’s countywide waiting list serves the bulk of voucher applicants in the city. The city’s own housing office focuses primarily on affordable housing development, homelessness prevention, and connecting residents to county and state programs.
El Monte’s proximity to major employment corridors along the 10 and 60 freeways makes it an attractive location for voucher holders seeking work. Local nonprofit partners, including El Monte’s Human Services Division and regional organizations like San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity, provide supplemental housing counseling and emergency assistance for residents navigating the voucher process.
Income Limits & Fair Market Rent in Los Angeles County
HUD sets FMRs for the entire Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA HUD Metro FMR Area, meaning El Monte shares the same payment standard framework as all other LA County communities outside of independently operating city PHAs. FMRs are recalculated annually in the fall and typically take effect for the following program year.
For 2026, LA County FMRs for studio through four-bedroom units are among the highest in the nation. A two-bedroom FMR in the LA metro regularly exceeds $2,000 per month. Voucher holders in El Monte pay approximately 30% of adjusted monthly gross income toward rent, with LACDA covering the balance up to the applicable payment standard.
HUD’s income limits for the LA Metro AMI apply to all El Monte applicants. Larger households qualify at higher income thresholds. The Extremely Low Income threshold (30% AMI) captures households with the greatest need and receives priority access to 75% of newly issued vouchers per federal regulations.
Run your El Monte rent estimate →
How to Apply for Section 8 in El Monte
- Verify open enrollment at lacda.org or ci.el-monte.ca.us — both LACDA and the city housing office may have separate programs with different enrollment periods.
- Prepare your application packet: photo ID for all household members, Social Security cards, income verification (pay stubs, benefit letters, tax returns), and documentation of any preferences you plan to claim.
- Submit through LACDA’s online lottery portal when countywide enrollment opens — each application in the lottery has an equal random chance of selection regardless of when it was submitted during the open window.
- Claim city-level housing preferences through El Monte’s Community and Economic Development Department if the city operates its own voucher or subsidy program.
- Follow up actively after submission — LACDA and city offices process thousands of applications and may miss contacting applicants with outdated contact information.
Waiting List Tips for El Monte
- Apply to the Pasadena and Pomona PHAs — these nearby independent housing authorities have their own waiting lists and may have different enrollment schedules than LACDA.
- Contact El Monte’s Human Services Division at (626) 580-2016 for information about emergency rental assistance and state-funded programs available while you wait for a voucher.
- Seek help from SGVCOG housing programs — the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments coordinates regional housing initiatives and can direct you to local affordable housing opportunities.
- Document everything — maintain copies of all submitted applications, confirmation numbers, and correspondence in case of disputes over your waiting list position.
HUD income limits & Fair Market Rents — El Monte
Official HUD figures for Los Angeles County (area: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA HUD Metro FMR Area). Local PHA payment standards are often 90–110% of FMR.
Annual income limits (FY 2026)
Very low income (~50% AMI) and low income (~80% AMI) by household size. Section 8 typically prioritizes very low-income households.
| Household size | Very low (50%) | Low (80%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $58,300 | $93,300 |
| 2 | $66,650 | $106,600 |
| 3 | $74,950 | $119,950 |
| 4 | $83,300 | $133,250 |
| 5 | $89,950 | $143,900 |
| 6 | $96,600 | $154,600 |
| 7 | $103,250 | $165,250 |
| 8 | $110,000 | $175,900 |
Monthly Fair Market Rents (FY 2027)
Benchmark gross rent (rent + utilities) by unit size. Use the ZIP calculator for Small Area FMRs or an estimated voucher amount.
This area uses Small Area FMRs by ZIP. County-level FMR rows may be blank — use the calculator with your ZIP code.
| Bedrooms | FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $2,151 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,402 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,964 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,760 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,208 |
Source: HUD USER API (income limits & FMR). Educational estimate only; not affiliated with HUD or any PHA. Reference fiscal year: 2026.
El Monte Section 8 Rent Calculator & Voucher Estimate
Because El Monte may sit in a multi-county HUD area, use our Section 8 rent calculator to check your county, HUD income limits, and estimated tenant rent share before you contact a housing authority.
Calculate El Monte rent share & voucherHousing Choice Voucher program
A Section 8 voucher in the El Monte area does not pay your full rent. You pay a tenant share (often about 30% of adjusted income), and the voucher covers part of the rent up to the local payment standard, which is based on HUD Fair Market Rents for Los Angeles County.
Most PHAs near El Monte run waiting lists that open only periodically. Eligibility depends on income, household size, and local preferences — not on applying first online alone.
- Project-based Section 8 — Project-based Section 8 — subsidy stays with specific buildings (different application path).
- Tenant-based vouchers (HCV) — Tenant-based vouchers (HCV) — you find a unit; the voucher moves with you in many cases after initial lease-up.
- Local preferences — Local preferences — veterans, elderly, disabled, or working families may get priority on some lists.
Section 8 guides for El Monte renters
These guides explain vouchers, income limits, and rent math for households in El Monte and across California. Each links to our calculator so you can run numbers for your ZIP.
How Section 8 HAP Is Calculated (Tenant Share vs Owner)
HAP is min(payment standard, gross rent) minus TTP. See family rent to owner, utility reimbursement, the 90–110% FMR band, and what this calculator can and cannot decide.
RentHow Much Section 8 Pays by Bedroom Size
There is no national dollar amount for a 1-, 2-, or 3-bedroom voucher. Family unit size, the PHA payment standard, and your TTP decide HAP — plus the 40% first-lease rule.
PHAFind Your Public Housing Authority (PHA) for Section 8
Learn what a PHA is, how to find the housing authority for your city or county, and where to apply for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list.
ApplicationHow to Apply for Section 8 — Waiting Lists & PHA Steps
Step-by-step overview of Section 8 waiting lists, PHA applications, and what to do while you wait for a voucher.
Voucher programHousing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) Explained
What the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is, how PHAs run it, and how vouchers differ from public housing.
RentSection 8 Rent Calculator — How Much Will I Pay With a Voucher?
Estimate your Section 8 tenant share (TTP), payment standard, and maximum voucher subsidy. Includes rent above payment standard examples.
Income limitsSection 8 Income Limits Explained by Household Size
HUD very low and low income limits determine Section 8 eligibility. See how limits vary by ZIP, county, metro area, and family size.
BasicsHow Section 8 Housing Works — Vouchers, PHAs & What You Pay (2026)
How Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers work in 2026 — who qualifies, how PHAs issue vouchers, how payment standards are calculated, and exactly what renters pay vs what the subsidy covers.
Apply near El Monte
- Confirm income limits with the calculator.
- Find your PHA in our PHA Directory or the HUD contacts tool (Los Angeles County).
- Join the waiting list when the PHA opens applications — many lists close for years at a time.
- When selected, find a rental at or below the payment standard and complete inspection.
Ready to apply? Download the PDF application checklist before your appointment.
FAQ — Section 8 in El Monte
Can I use Section 8 in El Monte, CA?
Many renters in El Monte can apply if they meet HUD income limits and the local PHA has an open waiting list. Vouchers are portable in some cases, but you must apply through the housing authority that serves your area — often tied to Los Angeles County.
How much rent will I pay with a voucher near El Monte?
Your minimum share is the Total Tenant Payment (TTP) — typically the greater of 30% of adjusted monthly income, 10% of gross income, or a small PHA minimum. Use our calculator with your ZIP to see an estimate for Los Angeles County.
Where do I apply for Section 8 in El Monte?
Applications are handled by your local Public Housing Authority, not this website. Search HUD's PHA contact directory for authorities serving Los Angeles County, then follow their waiting list instructions.
Does El Monte have its own income limits?
HUD publishes income limits and Fair Market Rents by county or metro area. El Monte uses the limits for Los Angeles County. Enter your ZIP in our calculator to pull the current HUD figures for your household size.
Do medical bills lower Section 8 rent in El Monte?
If your household is elderly (62+) or disabled, HUD may deduct unreimbursed medical costs above 10% of annual income, plus a family allowance. That reduces the adjusted income used for your tenant share (TTP). Run a El Monte ZIP in the calculator; the PHA serving Los Angeles County decides which receipts count.