Benefits with County of Kern

Rental Assistance

Tenants: Find an apartment.

• Search for an apartment. You can use the map on this page to find a privately owned apartment with reduced rents: Link opens in a new windowhttps://apps.hud.gov/apps/section8/index.cfm. To apply, contact the apartment management office.
• Apply for public housing. You can apply for a spot in Public Housing for an affordable apartment for low-income families, the elderly and persons with disabilities. To apply, contact a public housing agency (PHA) in your state or across the country: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha/contacts.
• Use a voucher. You can use a Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) to pay for all or part of the rent: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.hud.gov/topics/housing_choice_voucher_program_section_8. To apply, contact a PHA in your state or across the country (contact info is at URL above).
• Do you need advice? If you need advice on any housing concern, contact a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)–approved housing counseling agency at Link opens in a new windowhttps://hudgov-answers.force.com/housingcounseling/s, or call 800-569-4287 toll free.

HUD Resource Locator

Search for HUD field and regional offices, local PHAs, Multifamily and Public Housing locations, homeless coordinated-entry system points of contacts, and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) rural housing: Link opens in a new windowhttps://resources.hud.gov.

Local Renting Information

• This site lists available rental help in your state: Find affordable rentals and special-needs housing, get help with your utility bills, and more: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.hud.gov/topics/rental_assistance/local.
• Look up Properties with Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) at Link opens in a new windowhttps://lihtc.huduser.gov.
• Find mobile homes for sale or rent. Browse mobile home parks and manufactured homes near you: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.mhbay.com.

Your Rights and Responsibilities: Tenant Rights by State

This page lists tenant rights, laws, and protections in your state: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.hud.gov/topics/rental_assistance/tenantrights.

More About Renting

Check out this guide to find out more about renting versus buying: Link opens in a new windowhttps://myhome.freddiemac.com.

Landlords: List a rental property.

Landlords who would like to rent to voucher holders should contact their local PHA regarding the current or upcoming vacancy: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha/contacts. The PHA may maintain a list of available units in the area. The PHA may also be aware of locally used websites or platforms for advertising available rental units. Landlords may also consider indicating when advertising when they welcome voucher holders.

Your Rights and Responsibilities

• Read about fair housing: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/fair_housing_rights_and_obligations.
• Read about rights of tenants displaced from government-funded projects: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.hudexchange.info/programs/relocation.
• Security deposits: Learn about the state-by-state rights on NOLO.com: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/security-deposit-limits-deadlines-your-state-36186.html.

HUD's Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) Property and Unit Inspections

HUD inspects properties in rental assistance programs to make sure your home is decent, safe, and sanitary. Find out more here: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.hud.gov/topics/REAC_Inspections/residents.

Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)

Find out more information about RAD here: Link opens in a new windowhttps://www.hud.gov/RAD.