Find contact information for organizations that provide affordable housing or review a list of current openings for subsidized affordable housing waitlists.
Steps to Find Affordable Housing
by Kiki Poe, Chief Operating Officer, EBHO
It can be difficult to find an affordable home, but knowing your options will increase your chances. Contact the organizations in this guidebook or call 2-1-1 for help.
Step 1. Learn about different kinds of affordable housing
Non-Profit Housing
Non-profit affordable housing developments offer well-designed and professionally-managed homes with restricted rents and varying eligibility requirements. Call the organizations listed in this guide and visit their websites.
Section 8
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) closes the gap between rent and your income. Contact your local public housing authority for guidance.
Affordable Homeownership and Other Options
Contact the organizations listed below about homebuyer assistance and education programs. Consider Community Land Trusts and co-housing as options. Struggling with mortgage payments? See the financial and foreclosure counseling resources in this brochure.
Tenants’ Rights and other Housing Assistance
If you need help with a security deposit, rent, emergency housing or shelter, or tenant/landlord issues, contact the “housing, shelter and emergency resources” organizations listed here.
Step 2. Get your finances and credit ready
Credit Check
Obtain your credit report early, and be prepared to tell prospective landlords about any problems and the steps you’ve taken to address them. They may accept a low credit rating with good references, proof of employment, a higher security deposit, or a co-signer. For help, contact a credit-counseling agency.
Income and Budgeting
Your housing should cost no more than one-third of your income. Some agencies can help you create a financial and savings plan so you can afford transportation, childcare, health care and other expenses along with rent or mortgage payments.
Step 3. Check to see if your income qualifies
Find out if you qualify for affordable housing by inquiring with a specific property or non-profit developer. If you have a Section 8 voucher, ask if the property will accept it, or contact your housing authority for a list of landlords who will.
Step 4. Identify your housing needs and preferences
Think about location and amenities, but also be flexible and consider several cities and types of housing to increase your chances. Non-profit housing often targets certain populations: seniors, special needs, family or transitional/supportive. You may have trouble qualifying if you’re undocumented or if you have a certain type of criminal record. Most EBHO members strive to serve undocumented and formerly incarcerated people when possible.
Step 5. Contact non-profit housing organizations and apply
- Check the websites of non-profit developers often or call to get current information and applications. Follow directions to ensure success.
- Search through 2-1-1, www.achousingchoices.org to find openings.
- For properties with openings, visit the website or call to request an application or to be added to the waitlist. Complete and submit applications by the deadline.
- For properties under construction, ask to be added to the interest/marketing list.
- Once you’ve submitted your applications or joined a waitlist, let each property know if you move or change your phone number. Ask about the best way to keep in contact.
Apply to as many affordable housing properties as you can. Be persistent and informed, and advocate for more affordable housing in your community!
Alameda County
You can view waiting list openings and listed non-profit and private market housing in Alameda County at https://achousingchoices.org/.
Alameda County now has a portal where you can view current waitlist openings for all new affordable homes that were built using Measure A1 funding. This is a great place to start, but remember, click through all housing providers below and see if they have housing that aligns with your needs and apply to those units as well.
Applying for and securing community-subsidized affordable housing can take many months or years. If you need immediate/emergency housing support please see our list of housing legal aid, shelter, and other housing support services.
If you want to see what housing options are available and start applying to waitlists and apartments, review each organization’s website below to see the kind of affordable housing they help provide, if they have a list of available units, or have openings on their waitlists for specific housing communities.
The video below is an introduction to different types of affordable housing and a panel of residents of affordable housing and an explanation of different paths to apply for an affordable housing unit from staff who work at organizations that provide or connect people to affordable homes.
Organizations that Provide Affordable Housing
Non-profit organizations that develop, own and manage affordable housing in the East Bay
Abode Services | (510) 657-7409 | www.abodeservices.org
Bay Area Community Land Trust| (510) 545-3258 | www.bayareaclt.org
BRIDGE Housing | (415) 989-1111 | www.bridgehousing.com
Christian Church Homes | (510) 632-6712 | www.cchnc.org
Community Housing Development Corporation | (510) 412-9290 | www.communityhdc.org
Covia | (925) 956-7400 | www.covia.org
EAH Housing | (415) 258-1800 | www.eahhousing.org
East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) | (510) 287-5353 | www.ebaldc.org
Eden Housing | (510) 582-1460 | www.edenhousing.org
Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley | (510) 251-6304 | www.habitatebsv.org
Housing Consortium of the East Bay | (510) 832-1382 | www.hceb.org
Human Good Organizations | (925) 924-7100 | www.humangood.org
Mercy Housing California | (415) 355-7100 | www.mercyhousing.org
MidPen Housing | (650) 356-2900 | www.midpen-housing.org
Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services | (510) 237-6459 | RichmondNHS.org
Northern California Land Trust | (510) 548-7878 |www.nclt.org
Oakland Community Land Trust | (510) 463-2887 | www.oakclt.org
Resources for Community Development | (510) 841-4410 | www.RCDhousing.org
Satellite Affordable Housing Associates | (510) 647-0700| www.sahahomes.org
The Unity Council | (510) 535-6900 | www.unitycouncil.org
Public Housing Authorities
Management of affordable housing and administration of Section 8 programs
Alameda County| (510) 538-8876 | www.haca.net
City of Alameda | (510) 747-4300 | www.alamedahsg.org
Berkeley | (510) 981-5470 | https://bha.berkeleyca.gov/
Contra Costa County | (925) 957-8000 | www.contracostahousing.org
Livermore | (925) 447-3600 | www.livermoreHA.org
Oakland | (510) 874-1500 | www.oakha.org
Pittsburg | (925) 252-4830
Richmond | (510) 621-1300 | www.ci.richmond.ca.us/rha
Immediate Housing Support
Emergency Housing & Shelter Services
Community-based organizations that provide transitional, supportive, and rapid re-housing; mental and physical health services; and other support services.
- A Safe Place Domestic Violence Services
- emergency transport, food, shelter for women and children facing domestic violence
- 24-hour crisis line: (510) 536-7233
- www.asafeplace.org
- Abode Services
- emergency housing, rapid re-housing, health clinic
- (510) 657-7409
- www.abodeservices.org
- Alameda Point Collaborative
- permanent and supportive housing in City of Alameda
- (510) 898-7854 (services center)
- www.apcollaborative.org
- Bay Area Community Services
- temp housing for people with mental health challenges or post-incarceration
- (510) 613-0330
- www.bayareacs.org
- Bay Area Rescue Mission
- shelters for single men, women, and women with children
- (510) 215-4555
- www.bayarearescue.org
- Berkeley Food and Housing Project
- homeless prevention, rental assistance, rapid re-housing in Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano counties
- The Hub for Shelter Information: (866) 960-2132
- Veteran Services: (855) 862-1804
- www.bfhp.org
- Bonita House, Inc.
- for people with mental health and substance use disorders
- (510) 923-1099
- www.bonitahouse.org
- Building Futures
- shelter, housing assistance for victims of domestic violence,
- Crisis Line: (866) 292-9688 / (866) A-Way-Out
- www.bfwc.org
- Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency
- transitional housing after discharge from hospital or prison
- (510) 613-0330
- www.self-sufficiency.org
- Catholic Charities East Bay
- back rent, security deposits, utilities, one-time financial assistance
- (510) 768-3100
- www.cceb.org
- Center for Independent Living
- housing services for people with disabilities
- (510) 841-4776
- www.thecil.org
- Contra Costa Crisis Center/Contra Costa 211
- referrals to homeless and housing services
- 211 or (800) 833-2900
- www.crisis-center.org
- Contra Costa County Youth Continuum of Services
- drop-in services, housing for youth and transition-aged youth (call for location)
- (800) 610-9400 or (510) 236-9612
- Davis Street Family Resource Center
- clinic, clothing, food, and homelessness resources in San Leandro
- (510) 347-4620
- www.davisstreet.org
- East Bay Community Recovery Project (EBCRP)
- for women, children, people exiting Santa Rita Jail with mental health, drug, alcohol challenges
- (510) 446-7100
- www.ebcrp.org
- East Oakland Community Project
- emergency, transitional housing for individuals, families
- (510) 532-3211
- www.eocp.net
- ECHO Housing Assistance Center
- move-in costs, back rent, housing assistance, homebuyer education, tenant/landlord info
- (855) ASK-ECHO
- www.echofairhousing.org
- Family Emergency Shelter Coalition
- housing subsidies for families in Alameda County
- 510-886-5473 ext. 101
- www.fescofamilyshelter.org
- First Place for Youth
- youth exiting foster care
- (510) 272-0979
- www.firstplaceforyouth.org
- Fremont Family Resource Center
- housing, resources
- (510) 574-2000
- www.fremont.gov/228/Family-Resource-Center
- Greater Richmond Interfaith Program
- housing referrals, showers, food, laundry, mail for veterans, individuals
- (510) 233-2141
- www.gripcares.org
- Hope Solutions (formerly Contra Costa Interfaith Housing)
- permanent supportive housing
- (925) 944-2244
- www.hopesolutions.org
- Housing CHOICES for Alameda County
- database to search for affordable housing
- www.achousingchoices.org
- Housing Consortium of the East Bay
- people with developmental disabilities, special needs
- (510) 832-1382
- www.hceb.org
- Impact Justice: Homecoming Project
- housing support for formerly incarcerated people
- (510) 899-5010
- Impact Justice Homecoming Project Website
- Lutheran Social Services
- childcare, housing support
- (925) 825-1060
- www.lssnorcal.org
- Operation Dignity
- Emergency housing for veterans, mobile outreach, permanent supportive housing
- (510) 287-8465
- Rainbow Community Center
- emergency housing for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 12-24) in Concord
- (925) 692-0090
- https://www.rainbowcc.org/homeless-transitional-youth-program
- SAVE (Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments)
- housing and legal support for youth and victims of domestic violence
- 24-hour crisis hotline: (510) 794-6055
- Empowerment Center: (510) 574-2250
- www.save-dv.org
- SHELTER, Inc.
- housing and one-time move-in support for families, veterans, individuals,in Contra Costa County
- (925) 338-1038
- www.shelterinc.org
- Spectrum Community Services – Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
- energy bill assistance, nutrition, fall prevention for seniors and low-income people
- (510) 881-0300
- www.spectrumcs.org
- STAND! For Families Free of Violence
- resources for people harmed by violence
- Crisis hotline: (888) 215-5555
- www.standffov.org
- St. Mary’s Center
- housing and health support for seniors in Oakland
- (510) 923-9600
- www.stmaryscenter.org
- St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County
- emergency overnight shelter for adults
- (510) 638-7600
- www.svdp-alameda.org
Legal, Financial, and Housing Rights Services
Information and support on eviction, discrimination and other legal and financial issues
- Bay Area Legal Aid
- Alameda County Office: (510) 663-4744
- Contra Costa Office: (510) 233-9954
- Legal Advice Line: (800) 551-5554
- Tenants Rights Line (Alameda County): (888) 382-3405
- www.baylegal.org
- Centro de Servicios
- Tri-Valley area
- (510) 489-4100
- www.centrodeservicios.org
- Centro Legal de la Raza
- legal clinics for Alameda County tenants
- (510) 437-1554
- www.centrolegal.org
- Community Resources for Independent Living
- housing assistance for seniors and people with disabilities
- www.crilhayward.org
- East Bay Community Law Center
- legal assistance for low-income people
- (510) 548-4040
- www.ebclc.org
- Eviction Defense Center
- legal services in Alameda County
- (510) 452-4541
- www.evictiondefensecenteroakland.org
- Family Violence Law Center (FVLC)
- survivors of violence and sexual assault
- Hotline: (800) 947-8301
- www.fvlc.org
Foreclosure, Housing, and Tenant Counseling Resources
Additional counseling and legal and financial guidance related to foreclosure and tenancy
- ASIAN, Inc.
- support for first-time homebuyers, foreclosure intervention, default counseling
- (415) 928-5910
- www.asianinc.org
- Causa Justa :: Just Cause
- tenant rights hotline and clinic, unlawful detainers, legal referrals
- Tenants Rights Clinic: (510) TENANTS (510) 836-2687
- www.cjjc.org
- Community Housing Development Corporation
- car loans and grants for working people, first-time homebuyer support, down payment assistance, foreclosure, loan modification
- (510) 412-9290
- www.communityhdc.org
- Housing and Economic Rights Advocates
- foreclosure prevention, housing discrimination
- (510) 271-8443 ext. 300
- www.heraca.org
- Oakland Housing Assistance Center
- info-line about Oakland-funded housing programs including homebuying and rehab assistance
- (510) 238-6182
- Pacific Community Services
- rental and low-income homebuyer assistance in Pittsburg
- (925) 439-1056
- Project Sentinel
- Tenant-Landlord Dispute Line: (408) 720-9888
- Housing Discrimination: (888) 324-7468
- Housing Counseling: (408) 470-3730
- www.housing.org
- Tenants Together
- Tenant Rights Hotline: (888) 495-8020
- www.tenantstogether.org
Foreclosure Prevention Hotlines
- Homeownership Preservation Foundation
- (888) 995-HOPE (4673)
- www.995hope.org
- Keep Your Home California
- (888) 953-3722
- www.keepyourhomecalifornia.org
Financial Wellness Support Programs
- Rubicon Programs
- legal support, public benefits, employment support, re-entry support, financial education
- Oakland Center: (510) 208-0912
- Richmond Center: (510) 412-1725
- Antioch Center: (925) 399-8990
- Hayward Center: (510) 670-5700
- Concord Center: (925) 671-4500
- www.rubiconprograms.org
- Money Management International
- foreclosure, reverse-mortgage, pre-purchase counseling
- (866) 531-3442
- www.moneymanagement.org
- Operation Hope Oakland
- budgeting, debt reduction, credit report clearance, small business support
- (510) 535-6700
- www.operationhope.org