The San Luis Obispo Housing Authority (HASLO) opened its application period for Section 8 housing vouchers on Monday.
“It’s incredible what it has done for me,” said San Luis Obispo resident Jeannie Ledford.
Ledford, who had previously lived with her mother, did not want to leave San Luis Obispo because of the high rents and so moved into public housing in 2005.
“I was able to afford affordable housing, and that’s a huge plus. I was a single mother with two daughters, so I was able to become independent, and I’m very grateful for that,” Ledford explained.
The Section 8 voucher program for residents of San Luis Obispo County provides important housing assistance to eligible individuals and families.
“We have a very expensive housing market in SLO County – one of the most expensive in the country. We also have a lot of lower-income jobs, so there is a housing deficit for those who work and live here, and this program helps fill those gaps,” said Scott Collins, executive director of HASLO.
Because funding comes from the federal government, eligibility is based on household income, which is generally capped at 30% or less of the area median income.
Priority is given to veterans and people living in San Luis Obispo County.
Once the application deadline for the prospective applicant list closes at 4 p.m. Thursday, Collins said a lottery system will be used to reduce the waiting list to 250 people.
According to Collins, there are around 3,000 vouchers available.
“That’s probably about a fifth or a quarter of what’s actually needed in our county, but that’s what we’re getting from the federal government, and we’re doing our best to rent it all out,” Collins said.
Ledford is grateful for the program that helped her change her life.
“It’s unbelievable to me that I have this voucher,” Ledford said.
For more information on how to apply, click here or call (805) 543-4478.
HASLO staff are also available to provide you with personal assistance with your application at the following locations and at the following times:
- Monday, August 12 — 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 2775 Victoria Ave., San Luis Obispo, in the 860 Community Center
- Tuesday-Thursday, August 13-15 – 10:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the San Luis Obispo Library, 995 Palm St., San Luis Obispo.
