On September 18, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. the Orange County Housing Authority will begin accepting applications for their Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8). This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and enables OCHA to subsidize monthly rent payments for qualified applicants and is one of the most beneficial programs for lower income U.S. Veterans, elderly, disabled, or working families, and non-working families.
More information is available on the Orange County Housing Authority’s website at https://ochousing.org/2023-waiting-list-opening, including the application submittal process and selection criteria, and on their flyer at https://ochousing.org/flyers.
City-owned units rented to lower-income households.
0% interest loans for lower-income households to make necessary home improvements.
Although not specifically affordable housing, the City's Rent Control does limit the annual space rent increases to the prior year's CPI-U. The CPI-U for 2023 was 3.5% to be applied to space rent increases from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.
California fair housing laws prohibit discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability, source of income, sexual orientation, marital status, age, arbitrary characteristics, gender identity, and gender expression. Affirmatively furthering fair housing means that the City of San Juan Capistrano is taking meaningful actions, in addition to combating discrimination, that overcome patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities free from barriers that restrict access to opportunity based on protected characteristics. Policies and programs regarding the City’s actions to affirmatively further fair housing are listed in the City’s Housing Element available online. Additionally, the City has a contract with the Orange County Fair Housing Council to provide assistance to San Juan Capistrano residents. The Orange County Fair Housing Council may be contacted at 714-569-0823 or at info@fairhousingoc.org
Several groups/jurisdictions offer first-time home buyer assistance. Feel free to review the list of programs here (PDF).
Orange County Housing Authority (OCHA) is a Division within Orange County Community Services that administers federally funded programs to provide monthly rental assistance to qualified tenants in privately owned rental housing. The largest such program is referred to as the Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as the "Section 8".
Section 8 Voucher assistance allows very low-income families, seniors, disabled persons, or individuals to pay approximately 30% of their monthly income toward rent. The remaining rental amount is paid by OCHA directly to the property owner or manager. Applicants must earn below 50% of the County's median income. OCHA serves most Orange County cities including San Juan Capistrano.
For additional details about the County's Section 8 housing voucher program, please contact OCHA offices at 714-480-2740.
California Law identifies housing for all Californians as a priority and states that local and state governments have a responsibility to facilitate the development of housing for all economic segments of the community. Government Code Sections 65580 to 65589.8 provides specific guidelines to fulfill the California Law. Local government's Housing Elements are prepared to display compliance with this state legislation. The Housing Elements are reviewed regularly by state officials to ensure local government compliance.
In the event a City does not comply with State Law the Attorney General would have jurisdiction to take the City to court and seek a court order for compliance. A court may require a local jurisdiction that fails to update its housing element to do one or more, but not limited to, the following:
For information on the City's housing programs, please contact Laura Stokes, Housing Coordinator, at 949-443-6313.