Montclair Section 8 Calculator — San Bernardino County Income Limits & Rent Estimate
Renters in Montclair, 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 San Bernardino County.
Expanded local guide
Section 8 in Montclair — San Bernardino County Housing Authority, Waiting Lists & San Bernardino County Housing
Local Section 8 guide for Montclair and San Bernardino County: SBCHA vouchers, waiting list status, payment standards, income limits, and estimated tenant rent share.
Updated September 12, 2026
Housing Authority Serving Montclair
- Agency: San Bernardino County Housing Authority (SBCHA)
- Jurisdiction: San Bernardino County — including Montclair, Ontario, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, and unincorporated areas
- Waiting list status: Opens periodically; check the official portal
- Application portal: housingauthority.sbcounty.gov
- Main office: 715 E Brier Dr, San Bernardino, CA 92408
- Phone: (909) 890-9533
The San Bernardino County Housing Authority (SBCHA) administers the Housing Choice Voucher program across one of the largest counties by land area in the contiguous United States. Montclair, located in the Pomona Valley corridor of western San Bernardino County, is among the communities served by SBCHA for Section 8 voucher distribution. The city borders LA County and sits along the I-10 Freeway, giving residents access to employment throughout the Inland Empire and eastern Los Angeles basin.
SBCHA manages thousands of active vouchers and collaborates with a wide network of private landlords throughout the county. For Montclair residents, the program offers a critical opportunity to maintain housing stability in an area where rents have risen significantly over the past several years. SBCHA also administers other affordable housing programs in partnership with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), expanding options for households who may be on the HCV waitlist.
Income Limits & Fair Market Rent in San Bernardino County
San Bernardino County is part of the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area (the Inland Empire). HUD’s 2026 AMI estimate for a four-person household in this MSA is approximately $91,200. Voucher eligibility requires household income at or below 50% AMI ($45,600 for four persons). Federal rules prioritize vouchers for extremely low-income households at 30% AMI ($27,350 for a family of four), requiring that 75% of newly issued vouchers go to this group.
Fair Market Rents for San Bernardino County in FY 2026 reflect the Inland Empire’s rapid rent growth over recent years. Estimated FMRs are approximately $1,050 for a studio, $1,250 for a one-bedroom, $1,600 for a two-bedroom, $2,150 for a three-bedroom, and $2,600 for a four-bedroom unit. Montclair’s rental market is in line with these figures or slightly above, given its proximity to Los Angeles County. SBCHA may apply higher Payment Standards in the western portion of the county near Montclair to reflect this cost premium.
For a household earning $30,000 per year (30% of AMI), a voucher can reduce a two-bedroom apartment priced at $1,600/month to a tenant payment of approximately $750/month. Use the calculator below for a personalized estimate based on your income, household size, and target unit rent.
Run your Montclair rent estimate →
How to Apply for Section 8 in Montclair
- Monitor SBCHA’s website — Visit housingauthority.sbcounty.gov and sign up for email notifications to be alerted when the HCV waiting list reopens.
- Apply promptly when the list opens — SBCHA’s waiting list receives thousands of applications in its opening days; submit yours as soon as possible.
- Complete the application fully — Provide accurate information for all household members, including names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, income details, and current address.
- Keep your contact information current — Notify SBCHA of any changes to your phone, email, or mailing address while waiting to avoid missing notices.
- Attend the eligibility briefing — When selected, attend SBCHA’s voucher orientation, submit required documentation, pass the screening process, and receive your voucher for the housing search period.
Waiting List Tips for Montclair
- Montclair is in western San Bernardino County near LA County — also apply to the LA County Development Authority (LACDA) to cover both jurisdictions.
- The City of Ontario has its own housing authority with a separate waiting list; check with Ontario Housing Division for additional opportunities.
- California prohibits source-of-income discrimination in many contexts — landlords in Montclair cannot legally refuse to rent to you solely because you have a Section 8 voucher.
- Prepare a tenant packet (letters of reference, employment verification, credit report) to present to landlords — it improves your chances in a competitive market.
- Ask SBCHA about Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) properties in the Inland Empire that offer units reserved for voucher holders.
HUD income limits & Fair Market Rents — Montclair
Official HUD figures for San Bernardino County (area: Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA MSA). 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 | $43,050 | $68,900 |
| 2 | $49,200 | $78,750 |
| 3 | $55,350 | $88,600 |
| 4 | $61,500 | $98,400 |
| 5 | $66,450 | $106,300 |
| 6 | $71,350 | $114,150 |
| 7 | $76,300 | $122,050 |
| 8 | $81,200 | $129,900 |
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.
| Bedrooms | FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,605 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,705 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,103 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,771 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,336 |
Source: HUD USER API (income limits & FMR). Educational estimate only; not affiliated with HUD or any PHA. Reference fiscal year: 2026.
Montclair Section 8 Rent Calculator & Voucher Estimate
Because Montclair 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 Montclair rent share & voucherHousing Choice Voucher program
A Section 8 voucher in the Montclair 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 San Bernardino County.
Most PHAs near Montclair 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 Montclair renters
These guides explain vouchers, income limits, and rent math for households in Montclair 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 Montclair
- Confirm income limits with the calculator.
- Find your PHA in our PHA Directory or the HUD contacts tool (San Bernardino 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 Montclair
Can I use Section 8 in Montclair, CA?
Many renters in Montclair 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 San Bernardino County.
How much rent will I pay with a voucher near Montclair?
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 San Bernardino County.
Where do I apply for Section 8 in Montclair?
Applications are handled by your local Public Housing Authority, not this website. Search HUD's PHA contact directory for authorities serving San Bernardino County, then follow their waiting list instructions.
Does Montclair have its own income limits?
HUD publishes income limits and Fair Market Rents by county or metro area. Montclair uses the limits for San Bernardino 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 Montclair?
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 Montclair ZIP in the calculator; the PHA serving San Bernardino County decides which receipts count.