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Housing
(760) 633-2723
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Recertification Forms

If you are an existing participant and would like your recertification forms in an electronic format, click below:

Authorization Form

Bank Verification Form

Family Obligations Form

HUD-9886 Form

Personal Declaration Form

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

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Since 1995 the City of Encinitas Housing Authority (EHA) has operated a Section 8 Program. The funding for this program comes from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is administered by local housing authorities. The Section 8 Program offers rental assistance to very low-income Encinitas households through a voucher-based program.

Waitlist Update

Due to insufficient federal funding and the absence of additional funding allocations, we regret that we are unable to select new families from our Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list at this time. As a result, we cannot provide an estimated waiting period and do not anticipate selecting new families in the near future.

With the funding currently available, we are only able to continue supporting families who are already participating in the program. We recognize that this news may be frustrating or disappointing for those seeking support. Access to stable housing is critically important, and we understand the impact this may have on individuals and families in our community. Please know that the City remains committed to pursuing additional funding opportunities to expand access to housing assistance as resources become available. We encourage you to continue checking this webpage for updates.

New Applicants/Waitlist

Eligibility

To qualify for Section 8 in the City of Encinitas, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Household income at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income:
- Income Limit Schedule - English
- Income Limit Schedule - Spanish
A household may consist of one adult, one or more adults with a child(ren), or two or more adults sharing a residence
Highest priority goes to persons who live or work in the City of Encinitas AND are elderly, veterans, homeless, disabled, or working families.

Waiting List

Our Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Section 8 application is online.
We are offering our Section 8 application online via Waitlist Check. Application updates can be made directly when signing in to your profile through Assistance Connect here.

***Please be aware that if you have not yet applied, then you will not be able to log in to the Assistance Connect portal. You will receive your log-in credentials once an application has been submitted through Wait List Check.

***The Encinitas Housing Authority will contact you directly by mail when your name is reached on the waiting list with instructions on what you must do for us to determine if you are eligible for assistance.

Please be aware that first priority on our waiting list will be given to persons who live or work in the City of Encinitas. Due to the high number of individuals on the wait list, we anticipate that your name may not be reached if you do not presently live or work in Encinitas. If you live outside of Encinitas, we suggest that you contact the Housing Authority that covers the area in which you live.

City of Carlsbad Housing & Neighborhood Services 760-434-2810
City of Oceanside Housing & Neighborhood Services 760-435-3360
City of National City Housing Authority 619-336-4250
City of San Diego Housing Commission 619-578-7640
County of San Diego 858-694-4801

Updating Waiting List Information

If you are currently on the Section 8 waiting list for Encinitas, you are required to:

Notify the EHA through Assistance Connect of any changes in household composition, income, residence and/or mailing address, or phone number; and
Respond to any request for information or attend a scheduled appointment.

** Failure to complete these requirements may result in your name being removed from the waiting list **

Transferring Waiting List Application

You may transfer your Section 8 waiting list application to Encinitas if you applied with another Housing Authority within San Diego County AND you are currently working or living in the City of Encinitas.
Please contact the Housing Authority in which you originally applied and request that a copy of the application be sent to EHA’s office. EHA will honor the original application date.
Those living outside of San Diego County who would like to sign up for Section 8 are encouraged to contact their local Housing Authority. For a list of all Housing Authorities, please contact HUD.

Current Program Participants

Participant Responsibilities

All participants in the EHA’s Section 8 program have the following responsibilities:

Pay their portion of the rent in accordance with the rental agreement and family obligations
Notify the EHA and property owner/agent of any changes in the household
Pay for utilities and services as outlined in the rental agreement
Keep the unit clean and undamaged
Not engage in any illegal activities
Be responsible for the actions of their guest(s)
Permit access to the unit for repairs
Refrain from disturbing others
Allow only occupants on the rental agreement to reside in the unit
Abide by the terms of the Section 8 program, the rental agreement, federal regulations, and applicable EHA administrative policies

Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Payment Standards

Participants are responsible for finding a rental unit that meets the EHA’s current HCV payment standards. Please note that there are no public housing units within the City of Encinitas. Program participants are responsible for searching for and securing their own rental unit.

The City of Encinitas Housing Authority covers two zip codes: 92024 and 92007.
Housing Choice Voucher payment standards are based on zip codes as follows (effective January 1, 2026):

Bedroom Size	Zip Code 92024	Zip Code 92007
0	$2,580	$2,580
1	$2,820	$2,820
2	$3,550	$3,550
3	$4,790	$4,790
4	$5,810	$5,810

Transferring In (Porting-in) from other areas

If you are a Section 8 participant with another Housing Authority and would like to move to Encinitas, please secure a rental unit first before having your paperwork transferred to the EHA office.

The jurisdiction of Encinitas includes the communities of Cardiff, Leucadia, Old Encinitas, New Encinitas, and Olivenhain (Zip Codes: 92024 and 92007).

The EHA will accept a certification from the “initial housing authority” unless there are changes in income or household composition. The “initial housing authority” determines whether the household is income eligible in the area where the household wants to rent.

We estimate it will take 60-90 days for our office to process a port-in.

Transferring Out (Porting-Out) to other areas

As a participant in the Section 8 Program with the EHA, a household may move to any jurisdiction of a Housing Authority administering the Section 8 HCV program in the United States.

In the event that a household moves to the jurisdiction of another Housing Authority with a higher payment standard, the EHA may deny the request if funding is unavailable.

Participant Resources

HUD has recently published a new website that assists voucher holders with search tips as well as informs them of participant rights and responsibilities. HUD will continue to expand the website with additional resources. For more information, please visit the site here.

Property Owners & Property Managers

The EHA works with local property owners and managers to help meet the housing needs of low-income households. We appreciate your consideration of the Section 8 program and look forward to partnering with you to provide affordable housing to Encinitas families.

HUD prepared the informational video below regarding HCV programs. Please watch the video to learn more about the HCV program.

If you are interested in participating in the Section 8 program, please contact the Program Coordinator, Nikki Photinos at: (760) 943-2247 or nphotinos@encinitasca.gov.

As a property owner, you are entitled to screen potential tenants and set rules and regulations that are in conformance with California Tenant Law and federal housing laws. Ownership information is not required until a Program participant requests to rent your unit. By becoming our partner in the Section 8 program, you make it possible for low-income families to enjoy quality, affordable housing, and in return owners enjoy:

Stable rent payments
Unit inspections to ensure that the unit is being properly maintained
Fair market rental rates (see payment standards)
On time monthly payments via direct deposit
Enforceable renter obligations defined in the lease addendum

Payment Standards

Effective January 1, 2026 - please note these amounts are subject to change.

Bedroom Size	Zip Code 92024	Zip Code 92007
0	$2,580	$2,580
1	$2,820	$2,820
2	$3,550	$3,550
3	$4,790	$4,790
4	$5,810	$5,810

Property Owner Responsibilities

Screen potential tenants (participants)
Maintain property in good condition and complete repairs within a reasonable amount of time
Collect rent, security deposit, late fees, repair fees, and other charges
Pay for utilities and services as indicated by the lease
Comply with Fair Housing and Landlord/Tenant laws

Forms & Documents

Housing Authority Board

The City of Encinitas Housing Authority was created in 1995, and is comprised of the City Council and two tenant Commissioners. The Housing Authority is the advisory and decision making board to Housing Authority Owned properties as well as the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program. For more information on meeting dates and agendas, please visit the City of Encinitas Housing Authority website.

Public Housing Agency Plan

The Encinitas Housing Authority receives federal funds annually for its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. As such, it is required to prepare and approve a five-year Public Housing Agency (PHA) Plan in order to continue receiving federal housing funds for its use in providing assistance to residents.

The FY2025-29 PHA Plan was approved by the Housing Authority Board on March 12, 2025.

Emergency Housing

The City of Encinitas does not offer emergency housing assistance. If you are homeless or facing homelessness, please visit our Homeless Resources Page for information on local housing options and services.