Citizenship and Immigration Requirements in the Housing Authority Choice Voucher (HCV) and Public Housing Programs

When must proof of citizenship or immigration status be provided?

• You are not required to provide proof of your status when you place your name on the waiting list for assistance
• You must provide documentation for everyone in your family when we process your full initial application for assistance.
• Anyone you wish to add to your household must provide documentation before they can be approved.

Who is eligible for HCV and public housing programs?

Citizens of the United States of America who provide proof of citizenship, or:

Non-citizens with eligible immigration status, including non-citizens who:

• Are lawfully admitted for permanent residence (permanent resident, immigrant, special agricultural worker)
• Entered the US before January 1, 1972, have continually maintained residence since, are not eligible for citizenship, but have been determined to be lawfully admitted for permanent residence by the Attorney General.
• Have been granted refugee status, asylum status, or conditional entry due to persecution based on race, religion, political opinion, or catastrophic national calamity.
• Are lawfully present for emergent reasons or reasons deemed in the public interest.
• Are lawfully present due to threat to life or freedom.
• Are lawfully admitted for temporary or permanent residence due to amnesty.

What happens if someone in my family does not have eligible citizenship or immigration status?

Depending on the situation, your family may still receive some assistance even if some of your family members do not have eligible status.

If you are an Applicant:

• If no family members are citizens or have eligible immigrant status, the family will be denied assistance.
• If some but not all members of the family are citizens or have eligible immigrant status, your assistance will be prorated. This means that you will get some assistance based on the number of people in your family who are eligible.

If you are a Program Participant:

If you wish to add someone who is not eligible, your family’s assistance may be pro-rated or reduced. See our Reporting Changes Q&A for more information about adding family members.

What kinds of documentation are required?

Every family member must present one of the following forms of documentation in order to be eligible to receive assistance (parents may sign for children under age 18).

United States citizens must sign a declaration, under penalty of perjury, that they are a citizen of the United States. They must provide proof of citizenship (i.e. birth certificate or passport).

Eligible immigrants 62 years of age or over must sign a declaration, under penalty of perjury, that they have eligible immigrant status and provide proof of age. No other documentation is required.

Eligible immigrants under age 62 must sign a declaration, under penalty of perjury, that they are an eligible immigrant; provide the INS Immigration documentation listed to the right; and sign a consent form allowing the Housing Authority to release evidence of immigration status to the INS and to HUD for verification purposes.

Ineligible immigrants who are unable to provide required INS documents may choose to sign an Elect Not to Contend Form.

Acceptable INS Documentation consists of:

Form I-551, Alien Registration Receipt Card

Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, with one of the following:

• Admitted as Refugee Pursuant to Section 207
• Section 208 or Asylum
• Section 243h or Deportation stayed by Attorney General
• Paroled Pursuant to Sec 212d5

If Form I-94 is not annotated, it must be accompanied by one of the following:

• • A final court decision granting asylum (if no appeal is taken)
  • letter from the INS granting asylum
  • A court decision granting or withholding deportation, or
  • A letter from an asylum officer granting withholding of deportation (if application filed on or after 10/1/90)

Form I-688, Temporary Resident Card, which must be annotated with Section 245A or Section 210.

Form I-688B, Employment Authorization Card, which must be annotated “Provision of Law 274a.12(11)” or “Provision of Law 274a.12”

Form I-766, which may replace I-688 or I-688B

A receipt issued by the INS indicating that an application for issuance of a replacement document in one of the above-listed categories has been made and the applicant’s entitlement to the document has been verified.

What happens if the INS does not verify my Eligible Immigrant Status?

You may appeal to the INS. If the Housing Authority denies your assistance or terminates you based on your immigrant status, you have the right to a hearing with the Housing Authority.

Applicants will not be denied housing assistance, nor will participants be terminated from housing assistance programs, during verification, appeal, or hearing processes, except that assistance to an applicant may be delayed if eligibility cannot be verified by the INS appeal process.

Each program has its own set of eligibility rules, and those rules can change from time to time.

The information in this Q&A applies to the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

Other programs may have special rules. For instance, our farmworker program is open only to farmworker families.

How Do You Determine My Income?

The first step to becoming eligible is for the Housing Authority to determine how much your family’s annual income is.

• We will ask you to complete forms stating all of your income and assets.
• We will ask you to provide documents like tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements and more
• We may verify your income directly with your employer and/or the agency that provides you benefits.
• We will also check with federal and state agencies that gather information about earnings from many different sources to confirm the information you have provided.

If we discover that your family has not reported some income to us, you could be denied assistance or face fraud charges. It is very important to declare all income to the Housing Authority.

What are the income limits?

The Housing Choice Voucher program require that we assist a certain number of extremely low income families. These are families whose income is below 30% of the county median income.

We can also assist families who are “very low income,” which means that their income is below 50% of median income. Some families with incomes up to 80% of median, called low income, may also be assisted.

Other programs have different income limits, but the income limits mentioned above are a general guide for most housing assistance programs. The income limits are based on the number of people in your family and change at least once a year. You can get the current income limits here.

Is Anyone Eligible for a Special Preference?

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz determines applicant eligibility and issues vouchers on a first come, first served basis, based on the date that an applicant added their name to the waiting list. Additionally, for the County of Santa Cruz, the Housing Authority has a limited waiting list preference for disabled and medically vulnerable homeless persons. Currently, a maximum of 40 households may receive the preference at any given time. If you think you might qualify as a disabled and medically vulnerable homeless person, you will need to take a survey (called a Vulnerability Index), through the 180/180 Campaign, which is a campaign to provide housing for the County’s most vulnerable homeless persons. Click here to find out how you can take the Vulnerability Index Survey.

Some clients of other agencies in the county may receive housing assistance from the Housing Authority through those agencies. These programs were funded through a separate funding source, and they are not open to the general public. For more information about these special programs, please see our Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan.

Is There a Background Check?

For apartments the Housing Authority owns, there is an extensive criminal background, landlord, and credit check. In the Voucher program, housing is denied for registered sex offenders and certain other violent or drug-related offenses.

How Many Bedrooms Will My Family Be Eligible For?

The Housing Authority calculates one bedroom for the head of household and spouse or domestic partner, if any. We then calculate one bedroom for every two family members, regardless of age or sex.

In the Housing Choice Voucher Program, your family may choose to rent a home with more bedrooms, but we would re-calculate your rent so that you pay the extra cost of the additional bedrooms. A few exceptions are made for persons with disabilities. For more information, see our Special Needs Q&A .

Who Counts as a Family Member?

When you submit your full application, we will ask you to list everyone who will live in your home when you get assistance.

Are there citizenship requirements?

Many Housing Authority programs require that at least one adult in the family be a citizen or a legal resident. If some members of your family are not citizens or legal residents, you may receive less rental assistance than you would otherwise.

Si desea una traducción en español, por favor llame al (831) 454-9455.

Tips for Getting Assistance Quickly:

Update your address! If you have moved, send us a change of address form.

We will ask for Social Security cards, birth certificates, and photo IDs. If you don’t have these, gather them now.

Respond to all Housing Authority mail by the due date.

What Is an Initial Application?

When you reach the top of the list, you’ll get a letter asking if you want an Initial Application packet. Respond to this letter immediately or you will be dropped from the list. This application is used to:

• Gather information about your family and your income
• Determine whether or not your family is eligible for assistance.
• Calculate approximately how much rent your family will pay
• Determine how many bedrooms your family is eligible for.
• When you get your Initial Application, please fill it out completely and return it by the deadline.

What Happens at the Initial Interview?

Several months after your initial application is complete, you will be scheduled for an Initial Interview, where we will gather the information we need to complete your application. All adult family members are required to attend.

Can You Help Me Fill Out My Initial Application?

If you have questions about your Initial Application, please call our Info Line. You can also make an appointment to have Housing Authority staff assist you in person. We cannot assist on a “walk in” basis.

Please see our Special Needs Q&A for more information on extra assistance for a person with disabilities.

When Will I Get a Voucher?

Here is what will happen after the Initial Application and Interview:

• If you are eligible, you will be placed in the Waiting Pool along with other families waiting for a voucher.
• We may ask you to send updated information about your income, because the federal government requires us to ask for it again. Please respond to those requests promptly.
• You could still have a long wait before a voucher is available. When a voucher is available, we will invite you to a Briefing, where you will get your voucher and more information.

What Happens at the Briefing?

When the Housing Authority has a voucher for you, you will be invited to attend a Briefing, along with other families who are getting their vouchers. You must attend a Briefing to get your voucher.

At the Briefing, you will get your voucher and a packet of information to help you find a place to rent. You will have 60 days to find a home to rent. However, if funding runs short, a voucher can be “frozen” at any time after it has been issued to you. To avoid this, you should find a place to rent as soon as possible.

How Many Bedrooms Will My Family Be Eligible For?

The Housing Authority calculates roughly two people to a bedroom in deciding how much assistance your family will receive. More details will be provided at the Briefing.

How Much Will We Pay in Rent?

Families pay about 30-40% of their income in rent. You will find out more about your rent calculation at the Briefing.

Where Will I Be Able to Rent a Home?

You may be able to use your voucher assistance to rent the place where you live right now, if the unit meets our standards and the landlord is willing to participate.

You cannot rent a home owned by a relative, except in very limited circumstances for persons with disabilities. See Special Needs Q&A.

You must rent a home within the Housing Authority’s jurisdiction (county or city.) There are some exceptions that may allow to rent a home in other parts of the country. This will be explained at the Briefing.

We encourage you to find a home in a good neighborhood outside areas of poverty.

Should I Move Now?

Please do not move to a new home just because you think you are about to get housing assistance. It may be many months before you are issued a voucher. Also, program requirements can change quickly. You will not know exactly what you are eligible for until you are issued a voucher.

Si desea una traducción en español, por favor llame al (831) 454-9455.

What is the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waiting List for?

The HCV Waiting List is used to select families for the HCV Program, the Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Program, and the Moderate Rehabilitation (Mod Rehab) Program. If you’re on the HCV Waiting List, you may receive opportunities for all three affordable housing programs! More information about these programs can be found at hacosantacruz.org/programs.

When can I submit my application?

Applications will be available starting at 9:00 AM on May 13, 2025. You can submit your application anytime between 9:00 AM on May 13, 2025, and 5:00 PM on May 29, 2025. Applications will not be accepted before 9:00 AM on May 13 or after 5:00 PM on May 29. However, you may create an account on the Applicant Portal at any time. Once the HCV Waiting List opens, you can use that account to apply.

Who can apply to the HCV Waiting List?

Anyone can apply to the HCV Waiting List. Placement on the list does not guarantee eligibility for the HCV, PBV, or Mod Rehab programs. Eligibility is only determined if and when you are selected from the Waiting List.

How do I apply to get on the Waiting list?

Visit our applicant portal at tinyurl.com/s839ssaj and follow the steps to apply.  Additional instructional videos also available here.

What if I’m already on the HCV Waiting List?

If you are already on the HCV Waiting List, you do not need to re-apply. You will keep your current position on the existing Waiting List. All applicants currently on the existing Waiting List will continue to be selected for assistance from the current waiting list prior to or concurrently with the new waiting list, subject to any established preferences or special population voucher eligibility criteria.

Do I have to live in Santa Cruz County, Hollister, or San Juan Bautista?

No, you can live anywhere and still add your name to the HCV Waiting List. However, the Housing Authority does apply a limited residency preference. For more details, please see the question: “Are there any waiting list preferences?”

Are there any waiting list preferences?

Yes, the Housing Authority applies several waiting list preferences. For most vouchers, a limited residency preference is used. The Housing Authority has established a partial live/work residency preference, such that 75% of the families selected from the waiting list will be selected by sequence using a preference for applicants who either currently live, work, or have been hired to work in the jurisdiction of voucher program, and 25% will be selected from the waiting list by selected sequence number without regard to residency.

• When selecting pre-applicants for Hollister/San Juan Bautista vouchers, the San Benito County residency preference will be applied
• When selecting pre-applicants for all other voucher types to which a residency preference is applicable, the Santa Cruz County residency preference will be applied

Some specific voucher types are excluded by HUD from any residency preference.

In addition, a select number of vouchers are reserved for specific populations, such as homeless families with minor children, or households with non-elderly disabled household members. By providing complete and accurate information on your pre-application, and keeping your application record updated, you can ensure that you are considered for any and all preferences or special population vouchers.

For more information on all waiting list preferences and special population vouchers, please see the HCV Administrative Plan at: hacosantacruz.org/general-information/agency-plans.

Can I submit multiple pre-applications?

No, only one pre-application is permitted per head of household. Any duplicate pre-applications that are received will be removed prior to conducting the lottery.

How does the lottery work?

After the pre-application period closes and duplicate applications are removed, each applicant will be assigned a computer-generated lottery number. This number determines your position on the HCV Waiting List. Once your lottery number is assigned, you will be notified in writing. Your lottery number will not change over time. There is no advantage to applying early. All applications submitted during the open period will be entered into the same lottery.

I do not have citizenship or legal residency status. Can I apply?

Yes, you may still submit a pre-application. To be eligible for rental assistance, at least one household member must have citizenship or legal residency status. Information about the citizenship and legal residency of waiting list applicants is NOT verified and is NOT transmitted HUD. Citizenship or legal residency will be verified and transmitted to HUD only if your household is selected to apply for rental assistance.

When will I be selected for housing opportunities?

Pre-applicants will be selected from the HCV Waiting List based on their lottery number and any applicable preferences. All applicants currently on the existing Waiting List will continue to be selected for assistance from the current waiting list prior to or concurrently with the new waiting list, subject to any established preferences or special population voucher eligibility criteria. The Housing Authority cannot predict how long you will wait before receiving housing opportunities. Your waiting time depends on several factors, including the rate at which families leave the program and the level of funding the Housing Authority receives. Currently, the Housing Authority does not have sufficient funding to issue new vouchers and wait time for assistance may be very long. You can increase your chances of receiving rental assistance more quickly by making sure that you keep your application current by informing the Housing Authority of any changes to your mailing address, household composition, and eligibility for any preferences or special population vouchers.

I don’t have a Social Security Number. Can I apply?

Yes, you may still submit a pre-application. If you do not have a Social Security Number, please enter nine nines (999-99-9999) in the SSN field on the application.

What if I don’t have computer access and can’t apply online?

The Housing Authority strongly encourages applicants to apply online (insert reason). However, there are several options available if you have limited or no access to a computer:

• Visit our office at 2160 41st Avenue, Capitola, California, Monday through Thursday, between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM. You can use the self-service kiosk in the front lobby. Staff will be available to assist you.
• Request a paper pre-application. You can request a physical form by visiting our office, calling (831) 454-5950, or emailing [email protected].
• Use a public computer at your local library. Most libraries have free computer access available to the public.

What happens after I submit a pre-application?

After the HCV Waiting List closes on May 29, 2025, the Housing Authority will first review and remove any duplicate applications. A random, computer-generated lottery will then be conducted approximately 60 days after the list closes (around late July 2025) to determine placement on the waiting list. Once the lottery is complete, all applicants will be notified of their assigned lottery number.

If you apply online, you’ll receive immediate confirmation of receipt. If you submitted a paper application, confirmation will be sent approximately 45 days after the list closes (mid-July 2025).

Are there waiting lists other than the HCV Waiting List?

Yes! To see a list of all available waiting lists, visit: hacosantacruz.org/waiting-lists. Additionally, we encourage you to sign up for Affordable Housing Alerts (AHA) to receive notification of available affordable housing opportunities in our community sign up for AHA here.

Can other members of my household apply separately?

Yes. One application per head of household is allowed. For example, if you have adult children living with you, they may also submit separate pre-applications.

What if my address or contact information changes?

You can log into the Applicant Portal to change your address or contact information at any time. You must keep the Housing Authority informed of changes to your contact information or mailing address. If your contact information or mailing address changes, please notify the Housing Authority within thirty (30) days. It is your responsibility to make sure the contact information you provide is reliable, accurate, and secure. At any time, if you do not respond to Housing Authority requests for information or appointments by the provided due dates, or if at any time correspondence sent to you is returned to the Housing Authority as undeliverable, no further attempts to contact you will be made and your name will be removed from the Waiting List. You may update your contact information at any time by logging onto your account on the Online Portal and submitting your changes.

Do I need to provide documents with my pre-application?

No documents are required at the time of your pre-application. If you are selected from the Waiting List, you will be asked to submit documentation during the full application process.

What information does the Housing Authority share with HUD?

If your household is selected from the waiting list and you are determined eligible to receive rental assistance, we are required to share certain information with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This includes:

• Name, birth date, income, and job information for all household members
• Which household members have eligible immigration status and which do not
• Social Security numbers or immigration document numbers (for those with eligible status)
• The address where you use your voucher and your rent amount​

What information does the Housing Authority share with DHS?

The Housing Authority does not directly report any information to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). However, DHS and HUD do share information.