Housing Authority
The Orange County Housing Authority (OCHA) helps eligible residents access rental assistance programs designed to support affordable housing opportunities throughout Orange County. This article explains how OCHA programs work, how applicants and tenants interact with the Housing Authority, what special housing programs are available, how landlords participate, and where residents can find official forms, contacts, and online services.
Orange County Housing Authority Role
The Orange County Housing Authority administers federally funded housing programs that provide rental assistance to qualified tenants living in privately owned rental housing. The largest program operated by OCHA is the Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly associated with rental assistance vouchers.
Housing Choice Voucher participants can use their assistance in a variety of rental homes and locations with property owners who are willing to participate in the program. OCHA works with tenants and landlords to administer these programs and maintain access to affordable rental opportunities.
The official Orange County Housing Authority website provides information about applicants, tenants, landlords, special housing programs, documents, and agency contacts.
Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Housing Choice Voucher Program is the primary rental assistance program administered by OCHA. Through this program, eligible participants receive rental assistance that can be used toward housing costs in privately owned rental units.
The program allows participants to choose from different rental locations and housing types when working with property owners who participate in the program. OCHA manages the assistance process and provides information for tenants and owners involved with voucher housing.
Tenant Assistance Services
Current tenants can access OCHA services related to maintaining their housing assistance and reporting important changes. Tenant services include forms and information for household updates, moving requests, reasonable accommodation requests, and authorization forms.
The OCHA tenant services page includes resources such as:
Moving Request for Tenancy forms
Reasonable Accommodation Request forms
Authorization for Release of Information forms
Household income change forms
Household composition change forms
Waiting List Change forms
Keeping household information current helps OCHA maintain accurate records for participants receiving housing assistance.
Waiting List Information
OCHA uses a waiting list process for applicants seeking housing assistance. When the waiting list is closed, applications are not accepted until OCHA announces that the list has reopened.
The OCHA waiting list information page provides updates about application availability and explains how applicants already on the waiting list can check their status.
Checking Application Status
Applicants who are already on the OCHA waiting list can check their status through the waiting list status system. Applicants must use their account information to access their record. The system requires the applicant’s four-digit birth year as the User ID and the complete Social Security number without dashes or spaces as the password.
Applicants should understand that the waiting list status system shows the time remaining before an applicant reaches the next stage of processing. It does not show the total amount of time the applicant has already waited.
Reporting Applicant Changes
Applicants on the waiting list should report changes that may affect their application record. Changes that should be reported include:
Address changes
Telephone number changes
Email address changes
Income changes
Household composition changes
The Waiting List Change Form can be submitted by email, fax, mail, or drop-off using the methods provided by OCHA.
Special Housing Programs
In addition to the Housing Choice Voucher Program, OCHA administers special-purpose voucher programs for residents who meet specific eligibility requirements and are referred through partner agencies.
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing
The Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program provides rental assistance and case management services for homeless Veterans. Eligible Veterans are referred through the Long Beach VA Medical Center.
Interested individuals may contact the VA Community Resource & Referral Center to determine eligibility.
Family Unification Program
The Family Unification Program (FUP) provides housing assistance for families where the lack of adequate housing is a factor in separating children from parents or preventing reunification. The program also assists eligible youth who have left foster care and are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness.
Eligible families and youth are referred to OCHA by the Social Services Agency. OCHA provides Housing Choice Vouchers to participants determined eligible for assistance.
Foster Youth to Independence
The Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) program provides rental assistance for eligible young adults who have left foster care or are preparing to leave foster care and are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Participants must meet program requirements and eligibility criteria established through the Housing Choice Voucher Program and referral process.
Other Voucher Programs
OCHA also administers additional special housing programs, including programs serving qualified residents with disabilities, homeless households, and other specific housing needs.
The Special Housing Programs page explains available programs, referral requirements, and contact information for individuals seeking assistance through specialized programs.
Project Based Voucher Program
The Project Based Voucher (PBV) program is a component of the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Under PBV, OCHA enters into an assistance contract with a property owner for a specific number of rental units for a specific period.
Eligible residents are referred through the Coordinated Entry System. Information about existing and pending PBV projects is available through OCHA’s official website.
Landlord Participation
Property owners and landlords can participate in OCHA programs by providing rental units for voucher holders. OCHA works with participating owners to provide housing opportunities for qualified tenants.
Landlords can access owner information, forms, payment resources, and program updates through the OCHA landlord and owner page.
Owner Payment Services
OCHA provides an online owner service called AssistanceCheck. This secure service allows participating owners to obtain or provide information online, view and download monthly payments, update contact information, and access certain documents.
Property owners are required to enroll in Direct Deposit for Housing Assistance Payments. OCHA provides instructions and forms for owners who need to establish direct deposit.
Rental Unit Information
Owners working with OCHA may provide available rental units for voucher participants. Eligible tenants pay their required share of rent, while OCHA pays the remaining approved assistance amount directly to participating owners.
Documents and Forms
OCHA provides official forms and documents for applicants, tenants, landlords, and program participants. These documents help residents complete required requests and maintain accurate program records.
The OCHA documents and forms page includes materials related to:
Fair housing information
Privacy notices
Housing program documents
Owner documents
Household change forms
Reasonable accommodation requests
Homeownership Program
OCHA offers a Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership option for qualified participants. Under this option, eligible Housing Choice Voucher participants may be able to use housing assistance subsidies toward mortgage payments instead of monthly rent.
Participants interested in this option must meet program requirements, locate an eligible property, and secure their own mortgage financing. Participants must also receive lender approval and meet initial eligibility requirements.
Family Self-Sufficiency Program
The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program designed to help Housing Choice Voucher families pursue employment opportunities that lead toward economic independence.
OCHA works with participating families through the FSS program to support employment goals and develop skills that can help participants improve their financial independence.
OCHA Office Location
The Orange County Housing Authority provides general information and assistance through its Santa Ana office. Residents should use official OCHA contact methods for questions about applications, tenant services, landlord services, and program information.
Housing Authority Offices
Orange County Housing Authority — 1501 E St. Andrew Place, Santa Ana, CA 92705 — 714-480-2700
Housing Authority FAQs
How can I check my Orange County Housing Authority waiting list status?
Applicants who are already on the Orange County Housing Authority waiting list can check their status online through the waiting list system. When logging in, applicants should create or access their account using their four-digit birth year as the User ID and their complete Social Security number without dashes or spaces as the password. The status page shows the estimated time remaining before the next step in processing, not the total amount of time the applicant has already waited. Visit the Orange County Housing Authority waiting list information page for current applicant updates.
What changes should applicants report while waiting for housing assistance?
Applicants on the waiting list should keep their information current by reporting changes that may affect their application. Updates may include changes to an address, telephone number, email address, income, or household composition. The Orange County Housing Authority provides a Waiting List Change Form that applicants can complete when reporting these updates.
What forms can current tenants request from the Orange County Housing Authority?
Current tenants can access forms for common program updates and requests through OCHA tenant services. Available documents include Moving Request for Tenancy forms, Reasonable Accommodation Request forms, Authorization for Release of Information forms, income change forms, household composition change forms, and waiting list change forms. These forms help tenants report important information and request approved program services. More details are available on the Orange County Housing Authority tenant services page.
Are there special housing programs available through OCHA?
OCHA provides several special housing programs for eligible residents who meet specific requirements and referral processes. Programs include Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing, Family Unification Program, Foster Youth to Independence, Non-Elderly Disabled, Mainstream Voucher, and Project Based Voucher programs. Eligibility and referrals depend on the requirements of each program. Residents can review available options through the Orange County Housing Authority special housing programs page.
How can participants access housing documents and program information?
Applicants, tenants, and participants can find official documents related to housing programs, privacy notices, fair housing information, operational documents, and household change forms through the Orange County Housing Authority documents and forms page.