Q: What are the Tenant's responsibilities?

A: As in typical rental situations, tenants using the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) must adhere to the lease provided by the landlord. Tenants must use the Housing Choice Vocher Program (Section 8) assisted housing as their principal residence. The Housing Authority has the right to inspect the rental housing. Current tenants must give notice to the Housing Authority when new residents want to move into the household and get prior approval from the Housing Authority prior to moving in. By law, Section 8 tenants MUST provide copies of eviction notices, should an eviction occur.

Q: If I'm scheduled for a Housing Quality Standard (HQS) inspection, when can I expect someone?

A: On the day of your scheduled appointment someone must be home between the hours of 8 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Unfortunately we are unable to give a specific timeframe due to the number of clients we serve.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Q: Do you have emergency housing assistance?

A: No, the Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo does not have emergency housing assistance.

Q: What is the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)?

A: The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) assists participants by paying private landlords a portion of the total rent based on the households income. Qualified participants may transfer their voucher assistance to others areas of the United States. Our Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) Waiting List is currently CLOSED, and we cannot accept any new applicants at this time.

Q: Is HASLO absorbing Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) port-ins?

A: HASLO does not absorb Section 8 portability clients who want to move to San Luis Obispo County. However, HASLO will bill the initial Public Housing Authority for all eligible incoming portability households under this program.

Q: Where am I on the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Waiting List? How long is the wait?

A: HASLO does not provide your position on the Waiting List because it may change frequently. You may move up on the list as people are taken off of it and you may move down the list if applicants with preference points change. The wait time ranges from approximately 2-5 years.

Q: What is a preference point?

A: The Waiting List is maintained starting with the application date and time the family/individual applied. A preference point means the family/individual is placed on the waiting list according to preference points (i.e., a veteran, widow of a veteran, family member of active duty service person, live in San Luis Obispo County, employed in San Luis Obispo County, homeless, victim of domestic violence, currently employed 30 hrs./week or more, 62 or older, and permanently disabled). All of these can affect your placement on the Waiting List.

Q: Does the Housing Authority provide help with Security Deposits for a rental property?

A: Funds are limited. There is a Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program in San Luis Obispo and it depends on the funding that is available. Please contact your homeless services provider.

Q: If the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) Waiting List is CLOSED, can I still put my name on the list?

A: No, unfortunately when the Waiting List is CLOSED, it remains closed until we assist all the families currently on the list. You will have to wait until the Waiting List is open again to apply. Our website will be updated on a regular basis and we will post when the Waiting List is open again, so return to our website from time-to-time and check.