“What are the best resources for finding affordable housing in San Francisco?”

Here are the most reliable, up‑to‑date places to look for affordable housing in San Francisco, plus who they serve and why they’re useful.

City-run portals and programs

• DAHLIA San Francisco Housing Portal (MOHCD): The official place to find and apply for city-sponsored affordable rentals and below‑market‑rate (BMR) ownership units; lotteries, waitlists, eligibility and preferences are managed here. Create an account and set email alerts. (housing.sfgov.org)
• Housing preferences and counselors: Learn whether you qualify for neighborhood residency, displacement, live/work, Certificate of Preference, and other priorities; get free help from MOHCD-approved counseling agencies. (sfocii.org)
• San Francisco Housing Authority (SFHA): For Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and public housing waitlist information and participant guidance. (sfha.org)
• SF Rent Board: If you’re already renting, they provide counseling on rent control, increases, and evictions; helpful for stabilizing current housing while you search. Call their counseling line. (media.api.sf.gov)

Nonprofit affordable housing providers (apply to properties and join waitlists)

• BRIDGE Housing: Search affordable and senior properties; each listing shows AMI ranges and how to apply. Many SF buildings also appear on DAHLIA. (bridgehousing.com)
• Mercy Housing California: Manages multiple SF affordable properties with posted application/waitlist details. (mercyhousing.org)
• Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC): “Find a Home” hub; most TNDC openings run through DAHLIA, with additional property info and resident selection criteria. (tndc.org)
• Chinatown Community Development Center (CCDC): Operates numerous affordable/SRO buildings; see property flyers and resident selection criteria. (media.api.sf.gov)

Federal and statewide finders

• HUD apartment/assistance locators: Search subsidized (project-based) and FHA/assisted multifamily properties; also find HUD-approved housing counselors. (hud.gov)
• USA.gov overview of subsidized rentals: Plain‑English guide with links into HUD maps and programs. (usa.gov)

Voucher-friendly listings

• AffordableHousing.com: Large national database (formerly GoSection8) where many SF landlords who accept vouchers post units; also aggregates open waitlists. (affordablehousing.com)

If you’re at risk of homelessness or need immediate help

• Coordinated Entry Access Points (Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing): Gateways for adults, families, and transition‑age youth to complete assessments and get matched to shelter, problem‑solving resources, and supportive housing. (homesanfrancisco.org)
• 211 Bay Area: 24/7 phone and web referrals to local housing, rental assistance, and other support services. (211bayarea.org)

Free tenant counseling and legal help (to keep or stabilize housing while you search)

• Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco (HRCSF): Tenant counseling, workshops, and eviction guidance. (hrcsf.org)
• Eviction Defense Collaborative (EDC): City’s primary eviction legal aid with rental assistance (RADCo) for back rent and deposits; part of SF’s right‑to‑counsel framework. (evictiondefense.org)
• San Francisco Tenants Union: Regular counseling hours and education on tenant rights. (sftu.org)

Quick tips to improve your odds

• Create a DAHLIA profile today, upload your documents once, and apply broadly; aim to submit every eligible listing before the posted deadline. (housing.sfgov.org)
• Check preference eligibility (neighborhood resident, live/work in SF, displacement, Certificate of Preference, etc.); preferences materially improve lottery rank. (sfocii.org)
• Get on nonprofit property waitlists directly (BRIDGE, Mercy, TNDC, CCDC) in addition to DAHLIA; some sites maintain ongoing lists. (bridgehousing.com)
• If you have or are pursuing a voucher, search AffordableHousing.com and ask property managers about voucher acceptance and inspection readiness. (affordablehousing.com)
• Call 211 if you need help navigating, and contact HRCSF/EDC if you receive any eviction or rent‑increase notices while searching. (211bayarea.org)

If you share a bit about your household size, income range, and timing, I can point you to specific active listings and waitlists today.

I'll research the best affordable housing resources in San Francisco for you.

I've identified key housing portals and organizations — now I'll gather specific details to build your guide.

Let me collect a few more specifics on assistance programs and support services.

The best place to start for affordable housing in San Francisco is the City's official system, then add housing authority, counseling, and nonprofit resources:

1. DAHLIA — San Francisco Housing Portal

housing.sfgov.org

DAHLIA is the official San Francisco Affordable Housing Portal.

Use it to:

• Find and apply for affordable rentals or houses to buy directly
• View listings and apply for rental housing opportunities
• Browse active listings, create one profile for all applications, submit online, and monitor lottery results and eligibility requirements

DAHLIA lists city-regulated Below Market Rate (BMR) rentals, inclusionary units, and affordable ownership opportunities in a single system with standardized applications.

DAHLIA was created to streamline a process that was previously fragmented across different property managers, paper applications, and inconsistent requirements.

2. Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development — MOHCD

DAHLIA is a project of the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development.

MOHCD is described as the central hub for affordable housing programs. For general inquiries, contact MOHCD at (415) 701-5500.

Two main MOHCD rental types to know on sf.gov:

• Inclusionary Housing Program — also called "Mixed Income" or "BMR" — Units are rented below market rate, in market-rate buildings built by for-profit developers.
• 100% Affordable — also called "Multifamily" — All units in the building are rented at reduced rates, often by non-profit developers working with MOHCD.
• Former public housing from the SF Housing Authority is also being converted to 100% affordable buildings.

3. San Francisco Housing Authority — SFHA

sfha.org

SFHA manages public housing and administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program.

Section 8 is described by the City as:

• Subsidized housing voucher program for assisting very low-income residents renting in the private market.
• Operated at the federal level by the San Francisco Housing Authority

Check SFHA for public housing waitlists and voucher waitlist openings, including the Section 8 Rental Assistance Demonstration / Project-Based Voucher (RAD/PBV) program.

4. Housing Counselors and Homebuyers — HomeownershipSF

The City points to HUD-approved housing counseling agencies for help with applications, homebuyer education, language support, and other housing opportunities.

MOHCD and its nonprofit partner HomeownershipSF aim to improve access to San Francisco's first-time homebuyer programs.

Participating nonprofit counseling agencies include Asian, Inc., BALANCE, Mission Economic Development Agency, San Francisco Housing Development Corporation, and the San Francisco LGBT Community Center.

Examples listed by the City:

• San Francisco Housing Development Corporation (SFHDC), 4439 3rd Street, (415) 822-1022
• All participating non-profit housing counseling agencies are members of HomeownershipSF: 275 5th St, Suite 314, (415) 202-5464
• BALANCE, The SF LGBT Center, ASIAN, Inc., SFHDC and MEDA offer First Time Homebuyer Workshops

These workshops can complete 6 of the 10 first time homebuyer education requirement for MOHCD programs.

5. Nonprofit Affordable-Housing Developers

Nonprofit organizations like Mercy Housing, Chinatown Community Development Center (CCDC), and Mission Housing Development Corporation provide affordable housing options.

BRIDGE Housing develops and manages affordable housing throughout the Bay Area.

Several non-profit organizations provide resources and assistance to individuals searching for affordable housing, including the San Francisco Housing Development Corporation and the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development.

Check their individual websites for buildings, waitlists, and services — many 100% affordable buildings are run by nonprofits working with MOHCD.

6. Rent Help, Tenant Counseling, and Eviction Defense

• Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco: Offers tenant counseling and advocacy.
• Eviction Defense Collaborative: Provides legal assistance to tenants facing eviction.

For subsidies and placement help, the City lists:

• Plus Housing Program helps low-income people living with HIV (depending on need) get placed in rentals units or get subsidies.
• You can contact organizations about available rent subsidies, including Catholic Charities SF, Compass Family Services, and Hamilton Families.

Other monthly lists from community nonprofits:

• Openhouse Waitlist of Affordable and Low-Income Housing Opportunities for Seniors and Adults with Disabilities - (San Francisco and Bay Area)
• One Degree Listings - (SF, Bay Area and beyond)

How to use DAHLIA successfully

Affordable housing in San Francisco exists within one of the most expensive rental markets in the country.

What to expect:

• 1.Each opportunity is posted with income limits, household size requirements, and a clear application deadline.
• 2.Applicants create a DAHLIA account, fill out a standardized application, and submit it before the listing closes.
• 3.After the deadline, MOHCD runs a randomized, public lottery.
• 4.Preferences significantly affect final rankings, including Certificate of Preference holders, Displaced Tenant Housing Preference households, and residents or workers within San Francisco.
• 5.Being ranked highly does not guarantee a unit — selected applicants must still pass income verification, asset limits, and background and credit checks.

Practical tips from the listings data:

• It is common to see hundreds or thousands of applicants for a single listing.
• Strict income limits apply: even minor income changes may affect eligibility.
• After winning a lottery, the verification and leasing process can still take weeks or months.

Best strategy: create a DAHLIA profile now, apply broadly to every unit you qualify for before deadlines, claim any displacement / neighborhood / live-work preferences you qualify for, and get free help from a HUD-approved counselor while you wait.

The best place to start is the DAHLIA San Francisco Housing Portal — it’s the city’s main portal to view listings and apply directly for rental housing opportunities, including affordable housing lotteries. housing.sfgov.org

For an overview of the different affordable-housing programs, use SF.gov’s “San Francisco rental opportunities” page. It explains:

• Inclusionary Housing / BMR — below-market-rate units in market-rate buildings built by for-profit developers.
• 100% Affordable / Multifamily — all units rented at reduced rates, often by nonprofit developers working with MOHCD; former public housing is also being converted into 100% affordable buildings.
• Plus Housing — helps low-income people living with HIV get placed in rental units or receive subsidies, depending on need.
• Rent subsidies — contact organizations such as Catholic Charities SF, Compass Family Services, and Hamilton Families.
• Section 8 vouchers — subsidized housing vouchers for very low-income residents renting in the private market, operated by the San Francisco Housing Authority.
• Other rental opportunities — monthly lists developed by community nonprofit agencies. sf.gov

For hands-on help, the Get assistance page says housing counselors can help you with your DAHLIA application and housing search. It also provides a document checklist, videos on how the affordable housing lottery works, additional housing opportunities, homeless resources, Bay Area options, and the SF Service Guide. housing.sfgov.org

Contact information:

• For DAHLIA listing/application questions: contact the agent shown on the listing page.
• For general program questions: MOHCD at sfhousinginfo@sfgov.org.
• MOHCD phone lines: English (415) 701-5622, Español (415) 701-5624, 中文 (415) 701-5623, Filipino (415) 701-5570.
• General MOHCD: 415-701-5500.
• For SF services 24/7: call 311 or visit the 311 website. housing.sfgov.org

In short: start with DAHLIA, use SF.gov to understand the programs, and contact a housing counselor or MOHCD for application help.

Here are the best resources for finding affordable housing in San Francisco:

1. DAHLIA – San Francisco Housing Portal (housing.sfgov.org)

This is the primary, official resource. The Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development manages DAHLIA, an online portal for affordable rental and homeownership opportunities in San Francisco. The DAHLIA portal allows you to browse all City-sponsored rental affordable housing opportunities in SF, including openings managed by the Mayor's Office of Housing & Community Development (MOHCD) and the Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure (OCII). DAHLIA is intended to ultimately be a one-stop shop for non-referral affordable housing.

Most units are awarded through a lottery system: For most listings, you get housing through a lottery on DAHLIA San Francisco Housing Portal. For a small number of rentals, applications are reviewed in the order they come in. The platform has proven highly effective — as of May 2021, DAHLIA has received more than 650,000 affordable housing applications (accounting for 97% of all applications), placed 50 households in homes per month, and has had 1.6 million visitors.

2. Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD)

The city agency overseeing affordable housing. MOHCD supports residents with affordable housing opportunities and essential services to build strong communities. They offer guidance on San Francisco Rental Opportunities and San Francisco Homebuyer Programs for various programs.

3. SF Housing Alerts (Email Subscription)

You can subscribe to SF Housing Alerts to receive regular email alerts about available housing (rentals and ownership) and open waiting lists from MOHCD.

4. Home SF (homesanfrancisco.org)

A nonprofit collaboration hub: Home SF is a citywide collaboration of experienced, nonprofit housing agencies that serves as a centralized hub for local affordable housing, connecting renters, homebuyers and homeowners with education, counseling and resources.

5. Housing Counselors & Nonprofit Support

Several organizations provide free application assistance:

• MEDA (Mission Economic Development Agency): MEDA provides free, personalized support to help you navigate San Francisco's affordable housing system, guiding you through the entire process—including using the official DAHLIA portal for Below-Market-Rate (BMR) rentals.
• Openhouse: Openhouse has been the only non-profit uniquely committed to serving San Francisco's lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer (LGBTQ) seniors for more than 20 years.
• General housing counselors can also help: Community organizations can connect you to Housing Counselors to help you get access to affordable housing.

6. San Francisco Housing Authority

Handles federal voucher programs: The San Francisco Housing Authority operates the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Public Housing, Section 8 Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) programs for San Francisco, California.

7. SF Housing Resource Guide

A multilingual printed/digital guide: The SF Housing Resource Guide helps navigate Housing and Homeless Resources in San Francisco, from MOHCD, and is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Tagalog.

8. Regional/Supplemental Listings

• One Degree: For housing opportunities in the larger Bay Area, check out One Degree.
• Openhouse Waitlist: specifically for affordable and low-income housing opportunities for seniors and adults with disabilities in San Francisco and the Bay Area.
• AffordableHousingOnline.com: A third-party aggregator noting that San Francisco features 15,919 income based apartments and 12,528 rent subsidized apartments that do not provide direct rental assistance but remain affordable to low income households.

Understanding the Types of Affordable Housing

It helps to know what you're looking for. SROs (single room occupancies) are single rooms for rent with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities, while BMR ("below market rate") units have been funded by the city, federal government, and/or non-profit organizations. Section 8 is a rental subsidy program whereby a tenant is given a voucher to rent from any landlord who will accept it, enabling them to pay an affordable percentage of their income while the Housing Authority covers the rest.

Bottom line: Start with DAHLIA (housing.sfgov.org) as your main search/application tool, sign up for SF Housing Alerts, and if you need help navigating the process, reach out to a free housing counselor through MEDA, Home SF, or MOHCD directly at (415) 701-5500.

Finding affordable housing in San Francisco can be challenging and competitive, but the city has several centralized portals, non-profit developers, and community counseling organizations designed to help.

Here are the best resources to use:

1. The Official City Portal (Start Here)

• DAHLIA (San Francisco Housing Portal): housing.sfgov.org
• What it is: Run by the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD), DAHLIA is the single most important resource in SF.
• What you find: Below-Market-Rate (BMR) rental units, affordable homeownership listings, and senior housing.
• How to use it: Create an account, browse current open lotteries, check eligibility based on your household size and Area Median Income (AMI), and submit lottery applications directly online. Sign up for email alerts so you never miss a new listing deadline.

2. Housing Counseling Agencies (Free 1-on-1 Help)

Navigating income documentation, credit checks, and lotteries can be confusing. SF funds HUD-approved housing counseling agencies to help residents apply for housing free of charge:

• San Francisco Housing Development Corporation (SFHDC): Offers affordable housing application assistance, financial coaching, and homebuyer education.
• Bill Sorro Housing Program (BiSHoP): Specializes in helping low-to-moderate-income individuals and families navigate DAHLIA and tenant assistance programs.
• Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA): Offers comprehensive housing counseling, Spanish/English assistance, and support with BMR applications.
• Chinatown Community Development Center (CCDC): Provides housing counseling and assistance, especially for Cantonese- and Mandarin-speaking residents.
• Openhouse: Provides specialized housing navigation and support for LGBTQ+ seniors and older adults.

3. Major Nonprofit Housing Providers

Many non-profit Community Development Corporations (CDCs) build and manage affordable housing communities across San Francisco. While most of their vacancies appear on DAHLIA, you can also check their property management pages for open waitlists:

• TNDC (Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation): Manages dozens of properties throughout the Tenderloin and citywide, focusing on low-income individuals, families, and seniors.
• Mercy Housing California: One of the largest affordable housing developers in the region, with properties across SF.
• BRIDGE Housing: Manages multiple affordable and mixed-income developments throughout the Bay Area.

4. Vouchers & Public Housing

• San Francisco Housing Authority (SFHA): sfha.org
• Manages the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program and subsidized housing properties.
• Note: Waitlists for traditional Section 8 vouchers open infrequently, but check their site periodically for open waitlist announcements or specialized voucher programs.
• AffordableHousing.com (formerly GoSection8): Useful for finding private market landlords who explicitly accept Section 8 vouchers.

5. Emergency Rental Assistance & Eviction Defense

If you are currently at risk of losing your housing:

• Eviction Defense Collaborative (EDC): Operates the Rental Assistance Demonstration / tenant relief programs to provide one-time grants or interest-free loans for back rent.
• San Francisco Tenants Union (SFTU) & Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco (HRCSF): Provide counseling regarding rent control rights, just-cause eviction protections, and tenant counseling.
• Compass Family Services / Hamilton Families: Provide rapid rehousing, shelter, and eviction prevention specifically for families with children.

Practical Tips for the SF Housing Search

• 1.Know Your AMI (Area Median Income): Affordable units in SF are classified by AMI percentages (e.g., 30%, 50%, 80%, or 120% AMI). Check the current year's MOHCD AMI table so you know which units match your household income.
• 2.Apply to Every Eligible Lottery: Because DAHLIA runs on a lottery system, winning an opportunity is a numbers game. Apply to every building for which you meet the income requirements.
• 3.Check for "Local Preferences": SF gives preference in lotteries to people with certain certificates, such as the Displaced Tenant Housing Preference (for those displaced by Ellis Act/owner move-in evictions or fire) and Neighborhood Resident Preferences. Make sure to claim any preferences you qualify for on your applications.
• 4.Prepare Documents in Advance: If your lottery number is called, you typically only have 5–7 business days to submit pay stubs, tax returns, W-2s, and bank statements. Keep digital copies ready to send immediately.

The best starting points for affordable housing in San Francisco are the DAHLIA SF Housing Portal, MOHCD/SF.gov housing pages, and the SF Service Guide for counseling and application help.²⁴⁵

• DAHLIA SF Housing Portal: This is the main place to view listings and apply for below-market-rate and other affordable rental opportunities in San Francisco.²⁴⁸
• SF.gov Housing / Renting Affordable Housing pages: These explain the city’s affordable housing programs, including lotteries, below market rate units, and how the rental process works.²⁴
• MOHCD housing assistance / SF Service Guide: These pages connect you with housing counselors, help with DAHLIA applications, and provide contact information for housing questions.⁵⁸
• Openhouse SF: Useful if you are looking for affordable housing support for seniors, adults with disabilities, or LGBTQ+ residents; it offers housing guidance and counseling.⁸¹⁷
• SF Planning housing resources: This page points to rental services, tenant rights, eviction assistance, and affordable housing options, which is helpful if you also need related support.⁶
• Homelessness and coordinated entry resources: If you are currently unhoused or at risk of homelessness, SF’s homelessness resources and coordinated entry system can be a critical pathway to housing help.⁹²⁰

A practical way to search is:

• 1.Check DAHLIA for current listings.²⁴⁵
• 2.Contact a housing counselor through MOHCD or Home SF for help with applications and lottery strategy.⁵⁸
• 3.Use specialized resources like Openhouse if you qualify for targeted programs.⁸¹⁷

If you want, I can also give you a short list of the best links by housing type: rentals, vouchers, senior housing, disability housing, or homeless services.

The strongest starting points for affordable housing in San Francisco are the city’s official portals and free counseling network. Demand is very high, so success usually means applying often, checking preferences, and getting help with paperwork.

Main search and application tools

DAHLIA San Francisco Housing Portal (housing.sfgov.org) is the primary place for city-sponsored affordable rentals and many below-market-rate (BMR) homeownership opportunities. Most openings use a lottery. You can filter by household size and income, sign up for email alerts, and use an eligibility estimator. Applications are free. Lottery preferences (such as living or working in San Francisco, displacement, neighborhood preference, or a Certificate of Preference) can raise your ranking substantially.

Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) (sf.gov/topics--housing) runs the BMR/inclusionary and many 100% affordable programs, sets income and rent limits, and explains lottery rules and preferences. Housing questions: 415-701-5500 or sfhousinginfo@sfgov.org.

Home SF (homesanfrancisco.org) is a hub of nonprofit housing agencies that offers free counseling for renters and homebuyers. Counselors help with DAHLIA applications, eligibility, and required homebuyer education. Call (415) 202-5464 or email info@homesanfrancisco.org. Partner agencies include MEDA, ASIAN, Inc., and BALANCE, with services in multiple languages.

Other housing programs

• San Francisco Housing Authority (sfha.org) administers Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), project-based vouchers, and related programs. The main Housing Choice Voucher waitlist has been closed for an extended period, with no public reopening date announced. Check the site regularly and watch for short application windows.
• Doorway Housing Portal (housingbayarea.mtc.ca.gov) lists verified affordable openings and waitlists across the Bay Area. San Francisco listings are generally directed to DAHLIA instead.
• San Francisco Service Guide (linked from SF.gov housing pages) routes people to resources by situation—families, seniors and veterans, transition-age youth, people with disabilities, people living with HIV, teachers, domestic violence survivors, and others.
• Plus Housing (through MOHCD) serves low-income people living with HIV with placements or subsidies; people experiencing homelessness are generally directed to Coordinated Entry instead.

Help if you are at risk of losing housing or are unhoused

• SF Emergency Rental Assistance Program (SF ERAP) (sf.gov/renthelp) can help eligible residents with past-due rent or move-in costs (security deposit/first month). Income is generally limited to about 50% of area median income, funding is limited, and assistance prioritizes higher-risk households. Helpline: (415) 653-5744.
• Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) uses Coordinated Entry Access Points as the front door for shelter, problem-solving, and housing referrals. Start at SF.gov’s homelessness help pages or call 311.
• For eviction notices, contact the Eviction Defense Collaborative promptly (415-659-9184) and tenant counseling groups such as the Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco.

Practical tips

Create a DAHLIA account and turn on alerts even if you are not ready to move. Confirm current Area Median Income (AMI) limits on SF.gov before applying—eligibility is household-size and income specific, and some buildings serve particular populations. Lottery odds are often low without a preference, so apply to every listing you qualify for and keep documents ready (ID, income proof, preference documentation). Free counselors through Home SF can walk you through the process in several languages.

For the most current listings, waitlist status, and program rules, rely on the official sites above, since openings and rules change frequently.