General Housing Info

Low-income housing on the Central Coast requires applying through regional authorities and non-profits, as waitlists are common.

Key Regional Housing Authorities

• San Luis Obispo County: The Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo (HASLO) manages public housing programs, Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), and rent-restricted units. You can apply via the HASLO Housing Options page.
• Santa Barbara County: The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara operates various subsidized apartments and voucher programs. The Housing Authority for the entire County and cities like Santa Maria and Lompoc can be found here. 
• Northern Central Coast: Check the Housing Authority of Paso Robles for rental assistance and subsidized properties in the northern part of the county.

Major Non-Profit Developers

• People's Self-Help Housing (PSHH): This major Central Coast developer manages over 50 affordable properties from San Luis Obispo up to Ventura County. Check the People's Self-Help Housing Rentals directory for locations. This page is dedicated to properties under construction and in pre-development.
• Family Care Network in San Luis Obispo provides housing and stability support services to specific client groups, such as transitional housing and life skills for youth and young adults aging out of foster care, as well as rapid re-housing and homelessness prevention for families through county partnerships.