How to Get Help from the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino

The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (HACSB) is the local housing authority that runs most federal and local rental assistance programs in San Bernardino County, including the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program and public housing units.

If you live in San Bernardino County and need help with rent, your starting point is almost always HACSB, not HUD’s national office.

Quick Summary: Getting Started with HACSB

• Main agency: Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (local housing authority)
• Main programs: Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8), HACSB-owned/managed units, special purpose vouchers (when available)
• Key first step:Contact HACSB (phone or online) to check if the Section 8 or other waiting lists are open
• You’ll usually need:Photo ID, Social Security numbers, and income proof for everyone in the household
• Timing: Most help involves waiting lists, sometimes for years; emergency options are very limited
• Where to go officially: Use the official HACSB website or visit a local HACSB office (look for addresses and contact info ending in .gov)
• Scam warning: HACSB never charges a fee to apply or to get on a waiting list

1. What HACSB Actually Does (and What It Doesn’t)

HACSB is a county-level housing authority that administers federal housing programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

In practical terms, HACSB typically does three things for residents of San Bernardino County:

• Runs the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program (helps you pay rent to a private landlord).
• Manages affordable housing units and project-based voucher units (you rent directly in a participating property).
• Administers special programs like vouchers for veterans, people exiting homelessness, or other targeted groups when funding is available.

Things HACSB usually does not do:

• It does not pay back rent directly to your current landlord as an emergency one-time check.
• It does not place you into emergency shelter; that’s often handled by the county human services department or local shelters, though HACSB may coordinate with them.
• It can’t guarantee that you’ll get a voucher quickly; almost all help is subject to funding limits and waiting lists.

Rules, priorities, and local preferences (for example, for homeless households, veterans, or local residents) can vary by program and change over time, so you always need to verify current details directly with HACSB.

2. Where to Go: Official HACSB Touchpoints

Your two main official system touchpoints for San Bernardino County housing assistance are:

• The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino main office / branch offices – physical locations where you can ask questions, submit documents, or attend briefings and appointments.
• HACSB’s official online portal or website – where you can commonly:
  • Check whether Section 8 or other waiting lists are open
  • Start a pre-application when lists are open
  • Log in to a participant or applicant portal to upload documents or check status (if offered)

To avoid scams:

• Search for “Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino” and only use sites that end in .gov.
• If you’re unsure, call the phone number listed on the .gov site and confirm that you have the correct office before giving any personal information.

If you don’t have internet access, you can usually:

• Call the HACSB main customer service line (find the number on the official .gov site).
• Visit a local HACSB office during business hours and ask the receptionist how to apply or check your status.

Simple phone script you can use:
“Hi, I live in San Bernardino County and I’m looking for rental assistance. Could you tell me if the Section 8 or other waiting lists are open right now, and how I can apply?”

3. What You Need to Prepare Before Contacting HACSB

You don’t need a full stack of paperwork just to ask basic questions, but if you’re close to applying or know a list is open, having core documents ready will save time.

Documents you’ll typically need:

• Government-issued photo ID for the head of household (for example, driver’s license, state ID, or other official card)
• Social Security cards or numbers for everyone in the household who has one (children included)
• Proof of income for all adult household members (recent pay stubs, benefit award letters, unemployment statement, SSI/SSD notice, child support printout, or self-employment records)

Other items HACSB may commonly request depending on your situation:

• Birth certificates for children or proof of legal guardianship.
• Immigration/eligible status documents for non-citizen household members (such as permanent resident card).
• Current lease or rent statement and contact information for your current landlord.

If you’re at risk of losing housing, also collect:

• Any eviction notice or 3-day/30-day/60-day notice, and
• Any court documents related to an eviction case.

Keep copies in one folder and, if possible, scan or take clear photos so you can upload them if HACSB uses an online portal.

Key terms to know:

• Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) — A subsidy that helps you pay rent to a private landlord; you typically pay around 30%–40% of your income toward rent.
• Waiting list — A list of households who have applied; HACSB pulls from this list when vouchers or units become available.
• Preference — A rule that gives some groups priority on the waiting list (for example, veterans, homeless households, or local residents, depending on HACSB policy).
• Portability — The ability to move your Section 8 voucher in or out of San Bernardino County if both housing authorities approve.

4. Step-by-Step: How to Start an Application with HACSB

This is a typical sequence for someone in San Bernardino County seeking help through HACSB.

1. Check if any HACSB waiting lists are open.
   Go to the official HACSB website or call the main office and ask whether the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher list or specific property-based lists are open; HACSB often opens lists only during limited periods and may use online-only sign-ups during those windows.

2. Create an online account or obtain a paper pre-application (if available).
   When a list is open, HACSB commonly requires a pre-application either through an online portal or by picking up a form at an HACSB office; ask which method is being used for the current opening.

3. Complete the pre-application with basic household details.
   You’ll usually provide names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, income sources, and household size; at this stage, HACSB may not request full documents yet, but providing accurate information is critical.

4. Submit the pre-application and keep your confirmation.
   After submitting, you should receive a confirmation number or printout; write this down or take a photo because you may need it to check your status later.

5. Wait for a status notice or selection from the waiting list.
   HACSB typically uses a lottery or first-come system (depending on the opening) and will later notify selected applicants by mail, email, portal message, or phone; this notice usually invites you to a full eligibility appointment.

6. Attend the eligibility appointment and turn in full documents.
   If selected, HACSB will schedule an intake or eligibility interview (in-person, phone, or virtual) where you must provide proof of identity, income, immigration status if applicable, and household composition; missing items can delay or pause your case.

7. Complete briefing and housing search (for vouchers).
   Once approved for a Housing Choice Voucher, you’re commonly required to attend a voucher briefing, then you receive a voucher with an expiration date and begin searching for a unit that meets HACSB and HUD requirements.

What to expect next after taking step 1 today:
If you call or check the HACSB website today, you’ll either (a) learn that a list is currently closed and need to monitor the site or sign up for alerts, or (b) find an open list, in which case your immediate next step is to submit the pre-application before the closing date or capacity limit.

5. Real-World Friction to Watch For

Real-world friction to watch for
A frequent snag is that applicants miss important HACSB letters or emails, especially when they move, change phone numbers, or rely on unstable mail delivery; if HACSB can’t reach you, your name can be skipped or removed from the waiting list. To avoid this, notify HACSB in writing or through its portal whenever your address, phone, or email changes, and regularly log in (if you have an online account) to check for messages or deadlines.

6. If You’re Stuck or Need Extra Help

If you feel lost or the HACSB system is confusing, there are a few legitimate help options you can try that do not replace HACSB but can help you navigate it.

Commonly useful local supports include:

• County human services / social services department – May know about emergency motel vouchers, general relief, or connections to homeless services while you’re on HACSB’s waiting list.
• Local legal aid organizations – Can assist if you’re facing eviction, discrimination from a landlord, or denial/termination of a voucher and sometimes represent you at hearings.
• Certified HUD-approved housing counseling agencies – Provide free or low-cost housing counseling, help you read HACSB letters, prepare for briefings, and plan your housing search.
• Nonprofit shelters and homeless outreach programs – Not part of HACSB, but they often coordinate with HACSB and know when special voucher programs open for people experiencing homelessness.

When seeking help:

• Ask directly whether they are familiar with HACSB procedures or appeal processes.
• Avoid “application services” or people asking for money to “get you Section 8 faster”; there is never a legitimate fee to apply, join a waiting list, or receive a voucher.

Your most effective next action today is to use HACSB’s official contact channels to confirm which waiting lists, if any, are currently open, and then submit a pre-application or sign up for alerts so you don’t miss the next opening.