HOUSING GUIDE
FROM THE COUNTY PEER LIAISONS
EMERGENCY HOUSING: CALL 211
Shelters: Representatives of 211 have current information on
shelters. Central San Diego has 10 shelters, North County 3,
South Bay 2, and East County 1.
Motel/Hotel Vouchers: Eligibility can be determined through
211, as vouchers become available.
Transitional Housing: Programs last 30 days up to 2 years,
and 211 tracks what is available.
Shared Housing: Many publications provide roommate or
shared housing opportunities, including the San Diego
Reader, Uptown News, and more.
LOW-COST HOUSING
Other Types of Emergency Housing Provided by 211:
Domestic Violence, Crisis, Special Needs (such as upon
discharge after surgery), and Housing for Youth, and more.
GROUP LIVING
Board and Cares (B&C): Only a residential facility issued a
license by California’s Community Care Licensing Division
(CCLD) is entitled to be called a “Board and Care”. These are
state licensed, unlocked, non-medical providers of care and
supervision (such as assistance with hygiene, food intake,
medication monitoring, transportation for medical/dental
needs, maintenance of house rules for protection of clients,
staff, and visitors etc.). The CCLD regulates and monitors all
B&C facilities. To find a licensed B&C go to 211SanDiego.org
or call 211.To locate a B&C for folks age 60 and over call
(619) 767-2301 or visit www.CCLD.ca.gov. Report concerns to
the CCLD at (619) 767-2300.
Independent Livings (IL): Privately owned homes or
complexes that provide housing for adults who experience
mental health challenges, who do not need medication
oversight, can function without supervision, and are able to
live independently. The Independent Living Association (ILA)
provides resources and services for owners, residents and
the community. Modeled after the Better Business Bureau,
the ILA promotes high-quality Independent Livings. Visit
ILASD.org to find a registered IL.
Sober Livings: The San Diego County Sober Living Coalition is
a respected group of home owners who comply with high
standards and code of ethics. Homes throughout the county
offer a variety of housing options to serve resident needs,
3565 Del Rey Street, Suite 202
San Diego, CA 92109
with a capacity of 550 beds. Visit SDSLC.org to view a listing
of member homes, or call (619) 828-2001, extension 1. To
speak to someone about membership in the association call
extension 2 or contact Lucinda Terrell-Pollard at (619) 4542593 or email [email protected]. The Coalition also offers
resident resources including a grievance & mediation service
in the event of a problem.
Single Room Occupancy (SRO): There are several listings of
SROs. Some can be found in the directories mentioned
below, as well as with Townspeople at Townspeople.org and
at their office, located at 4080 centre St. Ste. 204,
92103.They may be reached at (619) 295-8802.
Section 8: This is a housing voucher program available to
folks who have a low-income. Within San Diego County,
there are six housing agencies through which you may apply
for Section 8, and you must live or work within the
jurisdiction for which you are applying. These include the City
of San Diego Housing Commission, the County of San Diego
Housing Agency, and the Housing Authorities in Carlsbad,
Oceanside, Encinitas, and National City. For questions on
Section 8, you may call the US Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) at (619) 557-5305. You may also
call 211 to find which of the six housing agencies you would
apply to. Once accepted into the Section 8 program, you can
locate a rental by visiting GoSection8.com. For more
information, go to SDHC.org.
TIPS ON SECTION 8: Applying for Section 8 is quick and easy,
and can be done in less than 5 minutes! When filling out the
application, you may want to consider selecting all available
programs. Wait time for a voucher may be as long as 10
years. You move up in seniority on the list, so long as you
maintain contact with the Section 8 program and keep your
contact information current. A good rule of thumb is to
update address information whenever the time changes
(Fall-back & Spring-forward). Only “written communications”
Phone: (858) 274-4650
Fax: (858) 274-4662
www.recoveryinnovations.org
Revised November 2013
are recognized by HUD, and it is important to retain
documentation of ALL communication.
online at VVSD.net. You may also reach Courage to Call by
dialing 211 or visiting 211SanDiego.org.
Once approved for Section 8, you pay 30% of your income,
and the voucher covers the remainder, up to $949 for a 1
bedroom and $1,244 for a two-bedroom. Each voucher
recipient receives a housing specialist, similar to a case
manager. One must find housing within 120 days of receiving
the voucher, which may be extended to 180 days max.
Section 8 will pay for shared housing (such as an
Independent Living), but ONLY covers rent and utilities. The
expectation is that a person lives at a residence for one (1)
year before moving, at which time you may even choose to
move out of state, and take your voucher with you. If a
recipient needs to leave their home for a time, their voucher
will be held for up to 180 days should a person become ill
and needs to leave the apartment.
Folks living with HIV: Townspeople offers HOPWA
Emergency Housing for folks with HIV, allowing for up to 21
days of emergency housing, provided they have housing to
go to afterwards. Townspeople is located at 4080 Centre St.
Ste. 204, 92103 and may be reached at (619) 295-8802.
Sunburst Housing is also available to all TAY (aged 18-24)
living with HIV, regardless of sexual orientation. Contact The
San Diego LGBT Community Center at (619) 255-7854 or
email [email protected].
HOUSING RESOURCE GUIDES & INVENTORIES
Guides and inventories list a variety of housing options,
including those listed here and more.
POPULATION SPECIFIC HOUSING RESOURCES
Transitional Aged Youth (TAY aged 18-24): Sunburst Youth
Housing Project, part of the LGBT Community Center, is
located at 1640 Broadway, San Diego 92101, and is OPEN TO
ALL YOUTH. For more information call (619) 255-7854 or
email [email protected]. For additional options call 211.
Lesbian Gay Bi-sexual Transgender Community (LGBT): Call
the LGBT Community Center (located at 3909 Centre Street
SD 92103) to make an appointment with their housing
specialist, at (619) 692-2077.
Seniors: To learn about Elder Help of San Diego’s shared
housing program call (858) 200-2497 or visit
ElderHelpOfSanDiego.org. Senior Community Centers has
two affordable Senior Residences for folks aged 62+: Potiker
Family Senior Residence, located at 525 14th St. 92101, and
can be reached at (619) 237-8004; and City Heights Square,
located at 4065 43rd St. 92105, can be reached at (619) 281l483. Stop by for an application. Townspeople, located at
4080 Centre St. 92103, also provides a directory for Seniors
and folks with special needs, available at their office and at
TownsPeople.org. To locate a Board & Cares for seniors, aged
60 and over, call (619) 767-2301 or visit www.CCLD.ca.gov.
Veterans: For a variety of housing resources designed for
Veterans, call (619) 497-0142 to reach the Veterans Village of
San Diego located at 4141 Pacific Hwy 92110, or visit them
3565 Del Rey Street, Suite 202
San Diego, CA 92109
Sunburst Housing for TAY (aged 18-24): call (619) 255-7854
or email [email protected]
Housing Resources Directory 2013-2015: To have one mailed
to you, call (858) 694-4801. Hard copies are available at 3989
Ruffin Road 92123, or may be viewed online at SDHCD.org.
SDHC Affordable Housing Resource Guide: View online at
SDHC.org or pick on up at the ACCESS to Independence
office, located at 8050 Rio San Diego Dr. Ste. 101, 92108.
Townspeople: Visit Townspeople.org or stop by their office
at 4080 Center St. Ste. 204, 92103. They may be reached at
(619) 295-8802.
2012 Housing Inventory: View online at
SanDiego.camhsa.org/housing.aspx
HOUSING RIGHTS & ADVOCATES
Fair Housing: Learn about Fair Housing at FHCSD.com. To file
a complaint involving unlawful housing discrimination, or to
speak to someone about your fair housing concern, contact
the Fair Housing Council at (619) 699-5888 or the Legal Aid
Society at (619) 471-2623.
Landlord-Tenant Issues: Contact the Housing Opportunities
Collaborative by calling (800) 462-0503 or visit
http://sandiego.myhousingforall.org/. You may also visit the
California Department of Consumer Affairs at
www.dca.ca.gov/publications/landlordbook/.
Phone: (858) 274-4650
Fax: (858) 274-4662
www.recoveryinnovations.org
Revised November 2013