Affordable Housing Definition: Housing is defined as affordable if it costs no more than 30% of one’s income. Most local low-income housing developments are built for families and individuals with incomes of 60% or less than the area median income (AMI). The County of Santa Clara has one of the highest annual AMIs in the country, at $168,500 for a family of four in 2022, which means affordable housing rents are correspondingly high. Affordable housing properties have rent and income rules: tenants must have incomes under a certain limit, and rents cannot be more than a certain percentage of that income. Each property has different rent and income rules, and most in the Bay Area have long or closed wait lists. It takes patience and persistence to secure an affordable housing unit. This type of housing may or may not be appropriate for someone living with mental illness. Rents are usually greater than SSI or SSDI payments, so renters may need an additional source of income. They must also be able to live independently and follow tenant rules. Occasionally, affordable housing units are reserved for special needs households, such as elderly or disabled tenants, and can be more accommodating to persons with a serious mental illness. Note: Silicon Valley Independent Living Center assists people with disabilities (including mental illness) search for affordable housing.
Affordable Housing Types
HUD Section 8 – Under “Section 8,” the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) authorizes payment of rental housing assistance to low-income households and/or disabled individuals in the United States. In Santa Clara County, the Housing Authority of Santa Clara County (HASCC) administers HUD programs. The main form of HUD housing assistance is via Housing Choice (or Section 8) vouchers, which gives vouchers to eligible recipients to cover rent or mortgage payments.
Subsidized Housing – Multi-family apartments or single-family homes that are built or leased through public-private programs, and funded by state, county and city programs.
Supportive Housing – Some vulnerable citizens, such as those with disabilities, are eligible for special housing combined with supplemental services such as case management or mental health outpatient treatment. The California Mental Health Services Act of 2004 (MHSA), for instance, provides funding for supportive housing for persons with disabling mental illnesses. Note that only people receiving County-based mental health services (via Medi-Cal) are eligible for direct MHSA funded services. To obtain County mental health services, contact the Behavioral Health Call Center at 800-704-0900.
Private Rental Housing – Single-resident occupancy units, boarding houses, and other living arrangements can offer rents that are affordable to low-income residents. (Unfortunately, private rental housing that is both low cost and livable is scarce in the current local housing market.)
Disability Group Housing – (AKA Board & Care Homes) Extremely low-income housing may also be occupied by people whose only income comes from monthly supplemental security income (SSI/SSDI), Social Security or disability checks. See top of this page for information on group housing (licensed or unlicensed) for people with mental health disabilities.
Transitional Housing – These programs offer temporary housing for people who want to live on their own, but who do not have the financial resources or ability to do so. They usually provide supportive services to prepare them for independent living. Some programs assist people transitioning from an emergency shelter. Transitional housing usually offers more privacy than homeless shelters; may be no cost or low-cost and may cater to people with mental illness. Information on transitional housing can be obtained in most regions by calling 2-1-1. Transitional housing options for people with mental illness include:
- Mental Health Transitional Living homes – are normally managed through mental health agencies as part of a continuum of outpatient psychiatric services. People become eligible for transitional living in the following ways:
- Clients on Medi-Cal – are referred by County Behavioral Health Services via Adult Residential Services (if transitioning from psychiatric inpatient hospitals, or by case managers at County outpatient clinics or County contract FSP (Full Service Partnership) agencies. For assistance in obtaining County services, including help qualifying for Medi-Cal, contact the Mental Health Call Center at 800-704-0900
- Private Insurance Clients – Some insurance providers will cover a stay in a transitional living home. Contact your insurance provider customer service number. You can also contact La Selva Project in Palo Alto (650-617-1759), which is currently the only transitional living facility in the County that takes private insurance. You may also want to conduct an internet search for transitional homes out of the area.
- Private Pay Clients – Transitional living homes that take private pay can be very expensive and are likely to be located out of this County. The two transitional living facilities in the area are: 1) La Selva Project in Palo Alto (650-617-1759), and 2) Nueva Vista in Morgan Hill. (408-465-8280). You may also want to conduct an internet search for transitional homes out of the area.
- Sober Living Facilities (also known as SLE’s) are properties where all residents have agreed to remain alcohol and drug-free. Some require that residents work, go to school or volunteer during the day, Some have limits on how long a resident can stay. For people with mental illness, these homes require good independent living skills, but can also be more pleasant than “board and care homes” and more affordable than private or low-income housing. Search for such facilities using an internet search engine or site such as Yelp.
Local Affordable Housing Resources:
Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC)
Main Branch – Telephone: 408-894-9041 Address: 2202 N. First St, San Jose, CA, 95131 Email: info@svilc.org.
South County Branch – Telephone: 408-843-9100 Address: 7881 Church Street Suite C, Gilroy, CA, 95020 Email: info@svilc.org.
SVILC supports people with disabilities, including those with mental health challenges. They provide group workshops and a chance to work with a Housing Specialist on the following:
- Information and referrals to other community housing resources
- Developing housing search strategies
- Information about Section 8 and other subsidized and low income housing
- Understanding your housing rights as a person with a disability
- Applying for emergency financial assistance for rent, security deposit, utilities, and other critical family needs – RESTRICTIONS APPLY
SVILC Housing Resources List – Comprehensive list of local housing-related resources
The United Effort Organization – Provides comprehensive and integrated services to find affordable housing, public assistance programs, resources and mentors. Has an excellent search tool to find affordable housing that is regularly updated.
Santa Clara County 211 Housing Resources page
Or call 211 – United Way of Silicon Valley’s 211 online information and resources database has a Housing resources page with relevant links.
Rental Housing Search Websites
One Degree – One Degree is a free non-profit committed to helping low-income families access the resources they need. They have a searchable database. Access to resources through free One Degree App (Apple store or Google Play) and by texting. Text 844-833-1334 with what you’re looking for – a word or phrase, like “food stamps” or “housing.”
Charities Housing – Develop and manage low-income housing. Have a searchable database of available housing. Telephone: 408-550-8300
Mid-Peninsula Housing – Develop and manage low-income housing. Have a searchable database of available housing. Telephone: 650-356-2900
Housing Authority of Santa Clara County (HASCC) – Telephone: 408-275-8770. Address: 505 West Julian St., San Jose 95110. Provides information regarding rental subsidies and affordable housing for low-income families, seniors and persons with disabilities living in Santa Clara County, through the federal rental housing assistance program (Housing Choice Voucher, also known as Section 8). HASCC also provides HUD housing development subsidies to qualified home builders. Section 8 Vouchers may be “person-based” or “project-based”. Note: Most of these housing choice voucher program wait lists are either closed, or people must be referred by specific County agencies. However, HASCC owns and controls more than 2,600 affordable housing units, referred to as the agency’s housing portfolio. Use SCCHA’s Applicant Portal to sign up for these housing interest lists.
City of San Jose Housing Department – Telephone: 408-535-3860 Serves lower- and moderate-income families by increasing, preserving, and improving housing that is affordable and livable. Provides some subsidized housing.
Community Housing Developers – Telephone: 408-279-7657 Provides information about shared housing, senior housing, family housing, and the “below market program” for the cities of Los Altos and Santa Clara.
Mid-Peninsula Housing Coalition – Telephone: (Foster City Headquarters) 650-356-2900 (Monterey Bay Office) 831-707-2130 Email: info@midpen-housing.org Building and managing affordable rental housing in Northern California.
(Back to Top)