Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8

The Application Online Portal is available for applicants who have applied for and are currently on a housing assistance waitlist with the Oxnard Housing Authority. The portal will allow you to: 

• Check status of your application
• Report changes in your household composition, income, and contact information

We encourage applicants to go online and log into their account every 4-5 months to verify that they remain active on our wait list(s). It is customary for the Applications Division to mail and or e-mail an interest letter at least once a year to verify that an applicant is still interested in remaining on the wait list(s). It is imperative that applicants respond within the allotted time-frame to avoid being removed from the waiting list(s).

For more information please contact our office at (805) 385-8014 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Please note we are not able to determine your position on the waiting list; however, you are able to verify that your application is still active.

New Landlords/Property Managers

In addition to contributing to families and individuals who are seeking help, Section 8 program landlords benefit from:

• Reliable, on-time monthly rent payments
• Protection against tenant’s loss of income
• Fewer vacancies due to extended tenancies

If you wish to advertise your property to Section 8 program participants, at NO COST, please visit Affordable Housing.Com’s website at: https://www.affordablehousing.com

For the current payment standards (maximum rent limits for Section 8) see Payment Standards schedule located at https://www.oxnard.gov/housing/section-8. Please note, the payment standard is not a guarantee of the rent that will be approved for your unit. The maximum rent is determined by a reasonable rent study that factors all of the amenities specific to your unit and the average rent for similar, nearby rentals.

Existing Landlords/Property Managers

Landlord Online Portal- The Oxnard Housing Authority’s (OHA) Landlord Online Portal allows property owners who are participating in the Section 8 Program to manage their landlord account 24/7 at no cost. The portal allows you to:

• Review unit information including current contract rent.
• Review caseworker info for each of your tenants.
• Review inspection details such as scheduled dates and inspection results.
• Review ledger payment history.
• Review, edit or add EFT bank account details used for direct deposits.

In order for you to register for the Landlord Online Portal, you must have a valid email address and a registration code provided by the OHA. If you do not have a registration code, please send an email to [email protected] or call (805) 385-8097.

Important: The email address used for registration must be unique to the user creating the account, you cannot use the same email address to create an account for yourself and for someone else. The Tax Id Number/SSN and Email used during the registration process must match the information we have on file.

Rent Increase Requests

For instructions on how to submit a rent increase request, please click here.

The following allowances are used to determine the total cost of tenant-furnished utilities and appliances.

• Utility Allowance Apartment/Walk-up
• Utility Allowance Townhouse & Semi-Detached/Duplex
• Utility Allowance Detached House
• Utility Allowance Las Cortes 45-plex One and Two Bedrooms
• Utility Allowance Las Cortes 2-Story Building

PHAs must maintain a completed HUD Form-52667 Utility Allowance Schedule for each unit type that is typical in the PHA’s jurisdiction. The utility allowance schedule is based on the typical cost of utilities and services paid by energy-conservation households that occupy housing of similar size and type in the same locality. In developing the schedule, the PHA must use normal patterns of consumption for the community as a whole and current utility rates.

This form includes the utilities that the PHA must consider: heating (space), cooking, other electric (e.g. lights, appliances, general usage), air conditioning (if the majority of housing units in the market provide centrally air-conditioned units or there is appropriate wiring for tenant-installed air conditioners), water heating, water, sewer, trash, the cost to provide a range, and the cost to provide a refrigerator. This form includes several fuel types, however, the PHA is not required to have a utility allowance for every fuel type listed on the form. The PHA is only required to have an allowance for the fuel types that are typical in the PHA’s jurisdiction.

Electric resistance vs. electric heat pump: The most recent update to the HUD-52667 includes “Electric Heat Pump” as a fuel type under “Heating”. PHAs may choose to provide an allowance on the schedule for electric (resistance), electric heat pump, or both. Heat pumps are more efficient and are associated with lower consumption. By adding this to the form, HUD is not requiring PHAs to consider both. This is up to the PHA, however, the HUD Utility Schedule Model tool available on HUDUser.gov provides an allowance for both electric resistance and electric heat pump.

Determining Allowances: In general, PHAs use local sources of information on the cost of utilities and services, such as:

1. Electric utility suppliers
2. Natural gas utility suppliers
3. Water and sewer suppliers
4. Fuel oil and bottled gas suppliers
5. Public service commissions
6. Real estate and property management firms
7. State and local agencies
8. Appliance sales and leasing firms

PHAs may use the HUD Utility Schedule Model (HUSM) available on HUDuser.org to determine their Utility Allowance Schedules. The tool uses geographic-specific utility consumption rates combined with user entered data on utility rates to determine the overall monthly allowance.

What is FSS?

The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) is a HUD program that matches families receiving Housing Assistance (Public Housing and Section 8) with Existing Community Services to Achieve Economic Self-Sufficiency. The Oxnard Housing Authority works with welfare agencies, schools, businesses, and other local partners to develop a comprehensive program that gives participating FSS family members the skills and experience to enable them to obtain economic independence.

What services does FSS provide?

FSS supports those receiving housing assistance benefits by providing service coordination and general case management to build a more stable financial future; which involves working with the FSS coordinator to access community resources. FSS provides direct referrals to resources such as: child care, transportation, education, employment, personal welfare, household management, homeownership and housing counseling, and financial empowerment workshops.

How else can you benefit from FSS?

In housing, when your income increases, your rent does too. This can make saving money difficult, if not impossible. However, if you enroll in the FSS program, the additional money you pay in rent is deposited into an account, called the FSS Savings Account. You can receive funds if you complete the program by meeting your goals and maintaining or obtaining a job. There are no limits on how you can use the funds!

How can I get more information?

To enroll in the FSS program or for more information please contact:

Karen Correa, Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator

(805) 385-8062

[email protected]

The Oxnard Housing Authority is currently not taking any Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 Program applications at this time.  The waiting list is currently closed.

Any family that wishes to participate in the Section 8/HCV must apply for the program.  The Oxnard Housing Authority (OHA) initially requires only the information needed to make an initial assessment of the family’s eligibility and to determine the family’s placement on the waiting list.

Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 applicants are eligible based on:

• Income limits
• Family composition (families, senior citizens 62+, and disabled/handicapped have priority over single individuals not meeting the above residency
• Residency (must work or live in the City of Oxnard)
• Proof of legal residency status.

Yes, all of the programs managed by the Oxnard Housing Authority (OHA) have a waitlist. For emergency housing resources, please dial 211 or visit https://211ventura.org/. A customer service representative will gather your information and connect you to resources available in the community.

In order to apply for a program with the OHA, the waitlist must be open. Once you have applied for housing assistance, the wait time for an applicant may be anywhere from months to 5 years or more depending on funding and/or unit availability. For updates on when the waitlist will be opened and how to apply, please check the Housing Events & Notices section on our website: https://www.oxnard.gov/housing.

Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) must maintain a completed HUD Form-52667 Utility Allowance Schedule for each unit type that is typical in the PHA’s jurisdiction. The utility allowance schedule is based on the typical cost of utilities and services paid by energy-conservation households that occupy housing of similar size and type in the same locality. In developing the schedule, the PHA must use normal patterns of consumption for the community as a whole and current utility rates.

This form includes the utilities that the PHA must consider: heating (space), cooking, other electric (e.g. lights, appliances, general usage), air conditioning (if the majority of housing units in the market provide centrally air-conditioned units or there is appropriate wiring for tenant-installed air conditioners), water heating, water, sewer, trash, the cost to provide a range, and the cost to provide a refrigerator. This form includes several fuel types, however, the PHA is not required to have a utility allowance for every fuel type listed on the form. The PHA is only required to have an allowance for the fuel types that are typical in the PHA’s jurisdiction.

Electric resistance vs. electric heat pump: The most recent update to the HUD-52667 includes “Electric Heat Pump” as a fuel type under “Heating”. PHAs may choose to provide an allowance on the schedule for electric (resistance), electric heat pump, or both. Heat pumps are more efficient and are associated with lower consumption. By adding this to the form, HUD is not requiring PHAs to consider both. This is up to the PHA, however, the HUD Utility Schedule Model tool available on HUDUser.gov provides an allowance for both electric resistance and electric heat pump.Determining Allowances: In general, PHAs use local sources of information on the cost of utilities and services, such as:

1. Electric utility suppliers
2. Natural gas utility suppliers
3. Water and sewer suppliers
4. Fuel oil and bottled gas suppliers
5. Public service commissions
6. Real estate and property management firms
7. State and local agencies
8.  Appliance sales and leasing firms

 PHAs may use the HUD Utility Schedule Model (HUSM) available on HUDuser.org to determine their Utility Allowance Schedules. The tool uses geographic-specific utility consumption rates combined with user entered data on utility rates to determine the overall monthly allowance.

Information for Public Housing Authorities (PHA)

If you are a PHA and would like more information regarding the portability process, contact OHA’s Portability Specialist at 805-385-8014 or via email at [email protected].

Information for Housing Choice Voucher  (HCV) Holders outside of the OHA’s jurisdiction

If you are interested in using your voucher within the OHA’s jurisdiction, you must first contact the PHA currently managing your voucher to determine if you are eligible for portability.  If you are eligible, your PHA may send the appropriate documents by mail, fax, or email:

Oxnard Housing Authority Attn: Portability Specialist 1470 Colonia Road Oxnard, CA 93030 Fax (805) 385-7961 / Attn: Portability Specialist / E-mail: [email protected]

Information for OHA’s Voucher Holders who wish to transfer outside of the jurisdiction of the OHA 

Your voucher may be used to move to another place in the United States. In order for your transfer to be approved, you must be in good standing with the OHA and in compliance with the rules & regulations governing the HCV Section 8 Program. This includes; paying off any debt owed to OHA; complying with your current rental agreement regarding giving notice to vacate; and providing any information requested to update your file.

You are also responsible for carefully researching your destination to ensure the area will meet your family needs regarding; the payment standards at the receiving agency (could be lower or higher); availability of units to Section 8 recipients in that area; general issues (safety, transportation, utility costs, weather, quality of schools).

It is critical that you understand that once your transfer is approved and your information is sent to the receiving PHA, all the decisions about processing time, bedroom size eligibility, inspection standards, payment standards, rent reasonableness, and client services will be controlled by the other agency and may be different than OHA’s. Once you are in another jurisdiction, all of their rules, policies, and practices are in effect.

With careful planning, you can be successful in using portability to take advantage of opportunities in another area: employment, schooling, being closer to family or medical care. For more information, please contact your Housing Specialist at (805) 385-8097.

To be eligible for the Section 8/HCV program, the applicants must be a family as defined by any of the following:

• A single person
• Two or more individuals who are not related by blood marriage, adoption, or other operation of law, but who either can demonstrate that they lived together previously or certify that each individual’s income and other resources will be available to meet the needs of the family.
• Two or more elderly or disabled persons living together, one or more elderly or disabled persons living with one or more live-in aides

The head of household must be at least 18 years of age or be a legally emancipated minor. At least one member of the family must be a US Citizen or have legal immigration status to receive assistance.

The family’s total gross yearly income must not exceed federal income limits at the time of final eligibility.  Following are the current income limits for this area: