FAQs

What is Section 8 Rental Assistance?: Section 8 is a federal rental assistance program for low-income persons. Under this program, recipients are issued a voucher to pay the difference between 30% of their income and the "fair market rent" (as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development). Landlords accepting Section 8 vouchers must participate in the program.

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Housing Programs

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1. What housing programs does the city provide?: This is the most frequently asked question of the Housing Division. Usually the person asking it is seeking affordable rental housing. The city maintains a list of those apartment complexes in the city that are reserved for low-income persons. View more information on affordable rentals.

2. Where can I find a list of low-income apartments?: Please see Subsidized Rentals.

3. What is Section 8 Rental Assistance?: Section 8 is a federal rental assistance program for low-income persons. Under this program, recipients are issued a voucher to pay the difference between 30% of their income and the "fair market rent" (as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development). Landlords accepting Section 8 vouchers must participate in the program.

4. Where can I sign up for Section 8 Rental Assistance?: The Housing Authority for the City of San Luis Obispo (HASLO) administers the Section 8 Program for all jurisdictions in the County of San Luis Obispo. The number of vouchers allocated to the County is limited, and HASLO maintains a waiting list, which is only opened once every 3 to 4 years. For more information about the Section 8 Program, contact HASLO at 805-543-4478.

5. Does the city have any homebuyer assistance programs?: The city is not presently offering any homebuyer assistance programs. The County of San Luis Obispo offers limited first-time homebuyer assistance loans for low-income persons. Interested persons should contact the San Luis Obispo County Planning Department (Housing Division) at 805-781-5600.

6. What does "first-time homebuyer" mean?: State and federal regulations governing their programs for first-time homebuyer assistance limit participants to households that have not owned a home in the 3 consecutive years prior to funding a new loan.

7. My landlord just raised my rent; does the city have rent control?: The city does not have a rent control ordinance. Landlords are not restricted from raising rents.

8. I believe that I am being discriminated against in trying to find a place to live. What are my options?

Federal and State Fair Housing laws make it illegal to discriminate against any person on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, lawful occupation, familial status, disability, or age in the enjoyment of residence, land ownership, tenancy, or any other land use.

If you believe that you are being treated unfairly in finding a place to live, contact the State Department of Fair Employment and Housing at 800-884-1864.

9. My landlord will not make necessary repairs, what can I do?: The city does not provide legal advice for renters. You will have to contact a private attorney. If you qualify as a low-income household, you may call the California Rural Legal Assistance in San Luis Obispo at 805-544-7994.

10. What help is there for the homeless?

Shelters

There are shelters for the unhoused in Paso Robles, Atascadero, San Luis Obispo and Grover Beach
- ECHO Paso Robles
  1134 Black Oak Drive
  (800) 466-8356
- ECHO Atascadero
  6370 Atascadero Ave, Atascadero, CA 93422
  (805) 462-3663
- 40 Prado Homeless Shelter
  40 Prado Road
  San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
  Phone: 805-786-0617
- 5 Cities Homeless Coalition
  100 S 4th St, Grover Beach, CA 93433
  Phone: (805) 574-1638
The Lumina Alliance (formerly RISE) operates shelters for abused women and children in Paso Robles and Atascadero.
Phone: 855-886-RISE (7473)

Pantries, Meals & Other Services

Loaves and Fishes provides emergency food and motel vouchers for the needy and homeless. They are open between 2 and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For after-hours emergencies, please contact the Police Department at 805-237-6464.
- Loaves and Fishes Pantry
  2650 Spring Street
  Paso Robles, CA 93446
  Phone: 805-238-4742
Paso Cares serves dinner Monday through Friday from 5:00pm to 5:45pm and Sunday from 4 - 5pm in the parking lot at the corner of Riverside and 24th street in Paso Robles.

Referrals & Information

Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County Inc. (CAPSLO) has been San Luis Obispo County’s federally-designated community action agency since 1965. In 2019, Community Action Partnership served over 38,000 persons across San Luis Obispo County and ten other central and southern California counties.
Through a variety of programs and in collaboration with other community service agencies, CAPSLO helps individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency and economic stability through programs that focus on: