Sacramento Section 8 Calculator — Sacramento County Income Limits & Rent Estimate

Housing Authority Serving Sacramento

The primary agency administering Housing Choice Vouchers in Sacramento is the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA):

• Agency: Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA)
• Jurisdiction: City of Sacramento & Sacramento County
• Waiting list status: Opens periodically — monitor shra.org for announcements
• Application portal: shra.org
• Main office: 630 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
• Phone: (916) 440-1390

SHRA administers both tenant-based vouchers (allowing participants to rent from any private landlord whose unit passes HUD inspection and where the owner agrees to participate) and project-based vouchers at specific affordable housing communities across Sacramento County.

Income Limits & Fair Market Rent in Sacramento County

Section 8 eligibility in Sacramento is governed by HUD income limits for Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA HUD Metro FMR Area. Sacramento’s cost of living is substantially higher than the national average, which means income limits — and Fair Market Rents — are well above what many other California inland cities see:

• 30% AMI (Extremely Low Income): Primary priority group for new vouchers — SHRA must allocate at least 75% of new vouchers to this tier.
• 50% AMI (Very Low Income): Standard eligibility ceiling for most new applicants.
• 80% AMI (Low Income): Some portability transfers and project-based programs.

Payment standards follow HUD FMRs. If your landlord’s rent is at or below the payment standard, you pay approximately 30% of monthly adjusted income; SHRA pays the remainder directly to the landlord each month.

Run your Sacramento rent estimate →

How to Apply for Section 8 in Sacramento

1. Watch for list openings — SHRA announces open enrollment periods on its website, through local media, and via social media. Past openings have been brief (a few days to two weeks).
2. Apply online through shra.org — paper applications are rarely accepted. Have your household information, income documents, and Social Security numbers ready before the portal opens.
3. Keep your contact info current — SHRA purges applicants who cannot be reached when called. Update your phone and address through the SHRA applicant portal any time you move.
4. Note your preference points — SHRA gives priority to Sacramento County residents, veterans, elderly, disabled, and working families. Points can move you up the list.
5. Explore project-based options — if the HCV list is closed, ask SHRA about project-based voucher waiting lists at specific properties, which sometimes have shorter waits.

Sacramento Section 8 Payment Standards & Neighborhoods

Sacramento’s rental market varies significantly by neighborhood. Areas like Midtown, East Sacramento, and Land Park tend to have rents above the payment standard — meaning you would pay the difference out of pocket. More affordable options for voucher holders are often found in:

• South Sacramento and Florin — lower average rents, many landlords familiar with vouchers
• North Sacramento and Arden-Arcade — mix of price points, SHRA jurisdiction
• Elk Grove and Rancho Cordova — separate PHAs, but vouchers can be ported; check local payment standards

If you find a unit priced above the payment standard, you may be able to negotiate with the landlord or look for units in lower-cost parts of the metro.

Calculate your voucher subsidy and payment standard for Sacramento →

Waiting List Tips for Sacramento

• Apply to multiple PHAs — Sacramento County residents may also qualify for vouchers through the Housing Authority of the County of Sacramento and nearby agencies in Yolo County and El Dorado County.
• Don’t miss update deadlines — SHRA requires annual contact to keep your application active on the waiting list. Missing an update letter results in removal.
• VASH and special programs — if you are a homeless veteran, contact the VA Sacramento Medical Center about the VASH program, which combines vouchers with VA case management and often has faster access.