Palm Springs Section 8 Calculator — Riverside County Income Limits & Rent Estimate

Housing Authority Serving Palm Springs

• Agency: Desert Housing Authority (DHA)
• Jurisdiction: Coachella Valley and eastern Riverside County, including Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, and surrounding communities
• Waiting list status: Opens periodically — monitor deserthousing.org
• Application portal: deserthousing.org
• Main office: 65800 Avenida Lalo Guerrero, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
• Phone: (760) 329-6982

The Desert Housing Authority serves as the regional housing voucher administrator for one of California’s fastest-growing and most climatically distinct markets. Palm Springs, situated in the Coachella Valley of Riverside County, attracts a mix of retirees, seasonal visitors, and hospitality workers — many of whom earn wages that fall well below the area’s rising rents. DHA issues tenant-based Housing Choice Vouchers, manages project-based rental assistance, and coordinates with Riverside County social services to connect applicants to additional housing resources.

Because Palm Springs does not have its own municipal housing authority, all voucher activity flows through DHA. Renters who receive a voucher can search for qualifying units anywhere within DHA’s jurisdiction, giving them flexibility across the valley’s diverse communities.

Income Limits & Fair Market Rent in Riverside County

HUD establishes income limits for the Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area, the large Inland Empire/Coachella Valley region that includes Riverside County. For 2026, the AMI benchmark reflects a diverse economic region ranging from high-cost coastal-adjacent suburbs to lower-income agricultural and hospitality communities in the eastern valley.

Fair Market Rents published by HUD for Riverside County cover multiple bedroom sizes, from efficiency units to four-bedroom homes. Palm Springs rents — particularly for detached homes, condos near downtown, and short-term-rental-adjacent properties — frequently exceed the HUD FMR levels, which can constrain where voucher holders can realistically search. DHA may set payment standards at or above the published FMR to improve voucher utility in high-cost sub-markets.

Voucher recipients generally pay 30% of their adjusted monthly income toward rent and any applicable utilities, with DHA covering the balance directly to the landlord. Using our calculator above, you can estimate your expected contribution based on your household income and family size.

Run your Palm Springs rent estimate →

How to Apply for Section 8 in Palm Springs

1. Watch for waiting list openings on DHA’s official website — subscribe to any available email or text alert service, as openings can close within 24–48 hours.
2. Prepare your application documents in advance: valid photo ID and Social Security cards for all household members, two to three months of income verification (pay stubs, benefit award letters, or tax returns), and landlord contact information for your current residence.
3. Complete the application online via DHA’s applicant portal as soon as the waiting list opens. Paper applications, if offered, may be submitted at DHA’s Desert Hot Springs office.
4. Report qualifying preferences — DHA gives priority to households experiencing homelessness, veterans, and persons with disabilities; documenting these at application time can improve your queue position.
5. Await your eligibility interview — DHA will contact you when your name nears the top of the list; you’ll verify income, household composition, and pass a criminal background check before receiving a voucher.

Waiting List Tips for Palm Springs

• Apply simultaneously to Riverside County Housing Authority — a separate county-level voucher program may have different opening dates and a shorter wait.
• Contact 211 Riverside (dial 2-1-1) for real-time local housing assistance resources, including emergency rental assistance and bridge housing while you wait.
• Explore project-based affordable housing at complexes like Desert Highland Gateway Estates and other HUD-assisted properties in Palm Springs, which may have units available with shorter waits than tenant-based vouchers.
• Document homelessness or near-homelessness through a local shelter or case manager if applicable — preference documentation can meaningfully accelerate your placement.