Affordable Housing Resources

The City of Berkeley partners with non-profit and for-profit developers to create affordable housing units. To apply to live in an affordable housing unit, find an available unit through the Alameda County Housing Portal or other resources and contact the property owner directly. 

Contact affordable housing providers

To find affordable housing, contact individual housing providers and ask about vacancies or applying to their waitlist. Find links to a number of resources for affordable housing providers in Berkeley below.

Alameda County maintains lists to help you find affordable housing opportunities:

• Alameda County Housing Portal
• Alameda County Housing Choices

The non-profits listed below own and operate affordable housing in Berkeley:

• Resources for Community Development
• Satellite Affordable Housing Associates
• Northern California Land Trust
• Related California Berkeley 75
• BRIDGE Housing

You can find more non-profits that own and operate affordable housing in the East Bay on East Bay Housing Organization (EBHO)’s website.

Many market-rate apartment buildings have designated “below market rate” units that are available for low-income households. While Berkeley facilitates the creation of below market rate (BMR) housing, it does not track vacancies or maintain waitlists. Contact property managers directly to ask about vacancies and waitlists.

• Properties with Below Market Rate Units
• Below Market Rate FAQs 

The map below shows locations of affordable housing in Berkeley:

Call 211 for emergency housing

Call 211 for emergency housing, food, financial aid, healthcare, legal assistance, and more. The 211 Alameda County service is a free resource for Alameda County residents, and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Dial (888) 886-9660 for non-local calls.

Section 8 vouchers

The Berkeley Housing Authority is an independent organization that provides rental assistance via Section 8 vouchers and the Moderate Rehabilitation Program. Please contact them directly for more information, including potential waitlist options.