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Affordable & Low-Income Housing in Santa Barbara, CA

31 affordable buildings in Santa Barbara · 7 ZIP codes

Santa Barbara, CA has 31 income-restricted buildings across 7 ZIP codes: 29 tax credit, 3 Section 8, and 8 senior. These lists don't show openings — call to ask about vacancies and waiting lists.

In Santa Barbara

Programs in Santa Barbara

  • Tax credit29 buildings
  • Section 83 buildings
  • Seniors8 buildings

ZIP codes in Santa Barbara

Nearby cities

Rents and income limits in 93101

Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$3,850/mo
Income needed to pay it at 30% of income
$154,000/yr
Renters in 93101 paying 30% or more of income on rent
59%

Income limits (2026)

Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA area · median family income $118,600. Your household's yearly income before taxes must be at or below the limit.

PeopleExtremely low 30%Very low 50%Low 80%
1$38,300$63,750$102,000
2$43,750$72,850$116,600
3$49,200$81,950$131,150
4$54,650$91,050$145,700
5$59,050$98,350$157,400
6$63,400$105,650$169,050
7$67,800$112,950$180,700
8$72,150$120,200$192,350

Section 8 vouchers: up to the 50% limit, and most go to households under 30%. Public housing: up to 80%. Tax-credit apartments: usually up to 60% of median income, between the 50% and 80% columns.

Fair market rents (2027)

HUD's estimate of rent plus utilities for a modest home. Housing authorities set Section 8 voucher limits from it.

Size93101Wider area
Studio$3,070$2,479
1 bedroom$3,360$2,711
2 bedrooms$3,850$3,106
3 bedrooms$4,950$3,990
4 bedrooms$5,650$4,557

Wider area = Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA. Two-bedroom fair market rents in 8 nearby ZIPs range from $3,360 (93106) to $4,360 (93109).

Census figures for 93101 (2020–2024 average): median rent $2,250. Median household income $90,148. 77% of homes are rented. 59% of renters pay 30% or more of their income on rent, and 32% pay half or more.

Census median rent is what renters here actually pay, including long-term leases. Fair market rent is HUD's estimate for a modest apartment available now.

Sources: HUD income limits FY2026; HUD Fair Market Rents FY2027 (Small Area FMR for ZIP figures); U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year 2020–2024. Each program and building can set its own limits — confirm with the property.

Estimate your Section 8 rent share

Project-based Section 8 is on the buildings above. A Housing Choice Voucher is different: you apply with the housing authority, then find a landlord who takes it. Your share of rent is based on income — not always 30%. The calculator uses 93101's fair market rent.

Estimate your Section 8 rent share for 93101

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there Section 8 housing in Santa Barbara, CA?

Yes — this directory lists income-restricted buildings in Santa Barbara, CA, including project-based Section 8 apartments (the subsidy stays with the unit), public housing, tax-credit, and USDA rural rentals. Housing Choice Vouchers are different: you apply with the local housing authority and can use them at a private landlord. Estimate your voucher rent share with the Section 8 calculator.

Do affordable housing buildings in Santa Barbara, CA have openings?

These lists for Santa Barbara, CA don't show openings. Call the property (or the housing authority, for public housing) to ask about vacancies and waiting lists.

How do I apply for affordable housing in Santa Barbara, CA?

Use the phone number on each building card in Santa Barbara, CA. Public housing is run by the local housing authority — apply with them, not at the building. USDA rural rentals can also be found through USDA's property search.

What counts as affordable housing in Santa Barbara, CA?

In Santa Barbara, CA, this directory lists income-restricted rentals from HUD tax-credit (LIHTC) records, public housing, HUD-assisted buildings (including project-based Section 8, 202, and 811), and USDA Rural Development.

How many affordable housing buildings are in Santa Barbara, CA?

This directory lists 31 income-restricted buildings in Santa Barbara, CA. The list does not show vacancies — call each property or the housing authority to ask about openings and waiting lists.

Which ZIP codes in Santa Barbara have affordable housing?

Income-restricted buildings in Santa Barbara are listed in 93101 (14), 93103 (6), 93110 (6), 93111 (2), 93105 (1), 93106 (1), 93109 (1).

People Also Ask

How do I qualify for affordable housing in Santa Barbara, CA?

Most income-restricted buildings in Santa Barbara, CA serve households at or below 50% or 80% of area median income. HUD's 2026 very low-income (50%) limit for a 1-person household is $63,750, and $91,050 for a 4-person household. Public housing can go up to 80% ($102,000 for 1 person). Each building sets its own cap — call to confirm before you apply. Citizenship, household size, and local preferences can also apply.

What is the income limit for low-income housing in Santa Barbara, CA?

For many programs in Santa Barbara, CA, the 2026 HUD very low-income (50%) limit is $63,750 a year for 1 person and $91,050 for 4 people. The low-income (80%) limit is $102,000 for 1 person. Tax-credit buildings often use 60% of median income. Confirm with the property — they can be stricter.

How long is the waiting list for Section 8 in Santa Barbara, CA?

There is no single waiting list for Santa Barbara, CA. Public housing, project-based Section 8, and tax-credit buildings each keep their own list. Housing Choice Voucher lists at the housing authority open only sometimes and can stay closed for years. This directory does not show which lists are open — call the number on each card. Some public housing cards show HUD's reported wait in months.

What is the difference between Section 8 and public housing in Santa Barbara, CA?

Public housing is owned by a housing authority — you apply with that agency, not at the building. Project-based Section 8 is a HUD contract on a private building; the subsidy stays with the apartment. A Housing Choice Voucher is different: you apply with the housing authority and can use it at a landlord who takes it. This page lists project-based Section 8, tax-credit apartments in Santa Barbara, CA. Estimate voucher rent share with the Section 8 calculator.

How much rent do you pay for low-income housing in Santa Barbara, CA?

In public housing and most Section 8 in Santa Barbara, CA, tenants typically pay about 30% of adjusted income. HUD's 2027 fair market rent for a 2-bedroom near Santa Barbara, CA is $3,850 a month (rent plus utilities for a modest unit). Tax-credit apartments use set rents below market, not always 30% of income. Call the building for the actual rent; this site is not a vacancy or price list.

Can I use a Section 8 voucher at affordable apartments in Santa Barbara, CA?

A Housing Choice Voucher is not automatically accepted at every building in Santa Barbara, CA. Project-based Section 8 units already have a subsidy on the apartment — you apply there, not with a tenant voucher. For a voucher, apply with the housing authority, then ask each landlord. Estimate your share with the Section 8 calculator.

Is there senior affordable housing in Santa Barbara, CA?

Yes — this directory flags senior (often 62+) buildings in Santa Barbara, CA. Use the Seniors filter on the list. Age rules vary; call to confirm.

Sources: HUD LIHTC database, 2024 (released Apr 2026); HUD Multifamily Assisted Properties, Oct 2026. Not affiliated with HUD or USDA. Details can be out of date — confirm with the property before applying.

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