County · California
Section 8 & Affordable Housing in Merced County, California
This page covers Section 8 and other affordable-housing programs in Merced County, California. Everything below is drawn from federal HUD datasets, with the source and refresh date for each one shown at the bottom of the page. Data last updated October 4, 2026.
- Housing authority
- County of Merced Housing Authority
- 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent
- $1,517
- Income limit (50%), family of 4
- $48,550
- HUD-recorded properties
- 49
Who administers housing assistance here
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program in Merced County is administered by County of Merced Housing Authority, (209) 386-4139. Housing authorities — not landlords, and not this website — decide who is eligible, run the waiting lists and issue vouchers.
HUD identifies this authority by the code CA023. It reports 2,891 Housing Choice Voucher units and 421 public housing units in its portfolio.
FY2026 income limits for Merced County
Merced County is in HUD’s Merced, CA MSA income-limit area (FY2026 median family income $75,800).
| Household size | Very low income (50%) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $34,000 |
| 2 people | $38,850 |
| 3 people | $43,700 |
| 4 people | $48,550 |
| 5 people | $52,450 |
| 6 people | $56,350 |
| 7 people | $60,250 |
| 8 people | $64,100 |
| Household size | Extremely low income (30%) | Very low income (50%) | Low income (80%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $20,450 | $34,000 | $54,400 |
| 2 people | $23,350 | $38,850 | $62,200 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $43,700 | $69,950 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $48,550 | $77,700 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $52,450 | $83,950 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $56,350 | $90,150 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $60,250 | $96,350 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $64,100 | $102,600 |
Voucher eligibility generally starts at the very low income (50%) limit (how income limits work).
FY2027 Fair Market Rents
HUD Fair Market Rents for the Merced, CA MSA area (how Fair Market Rents work).
| Unit size | Studio | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly rent | $1,200 | $1,262 | $1,517 | $2,087 | $2,477 |
| Unit size | FY2027 Fair Market Rent |
|---|---|
| Studio / efficiency | $1,200 / month |
| 1 bedroom | $1,262 / month |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,517 / month |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,087 / month |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,477 / month |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rents FY2027. 91 FR 56156 (published 2026-09-01). Effective 2026-10-01 except areas where HUD received a valid reevaluation request. HUD area code METRO32900M32900. Imported 4 October 2026.
Assisted and affordable properties recorded in Merced County
HUD records 49 subsidised or tax-credit properties in this county. Each is listed below under the program that federal records actually associate it with. None of these listings means a unit is currently vacant or that applications are open.
HUD-Assisted Properties
Properties with an active HUD subsidy contract, such as Project-Based Section 8, Section 202 housing for the elderly, or Section 811 housing for people with disabilities.
| Property | Address | Classification | Units | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kings View Apartments | 1191 Willow St, Atwater 95301 | HUD-Assisted Property | 36 assisted | (209) 358-7212 |
| Macarthur Apts | 1130 F St, Los Banos 93635 | HUD-Assisted Property | 50 assisted | (209) 829-0136 |
| Merced Commons I | 290 Q St, Merced 95341 | HUD-Assisted Property | 76 assisted | (209) 383-3634 |
| Merced Commons II | 290 Q St, Merced 95341 | HUD-Assisted Property | 71 assisted | (209) 383-2033 |
| MERCED GARDENS | 3299 Meadows Ave, Merced 95348 | HUD-Assisted Property | 47 assisted | (209) 325-4414 |
| MERCED GOLDEN MANOR | 338 T St Apt 17, Merced 95341 | HUD-Assisted Property | 50 assisted | 209-388-0782 X-2 |
HUD records identify this as an affordable or assisted housing property. Current vacancies, eligibility and voucher policies must be confirmed directly with property management.
Public Housing Developments
Developments owned or operated by a public housing authority.
| Property | Address | Classification | Units | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gateway Homes | 2860 Park Ave Apt L, Merced 95348 | Public Housing Development | 176 total | (209) 386-4139 |
| SCATTERED SITES | 2023 Alameda Ct, Livingston 95334 | Public Housing Development | 117 total | (209) 386-4139 |
| SCATTERED SITES | 736 Abby Cir, Los Banos 93635 | Public Housing Development | 122 total | (209) 386-4139 |
| SCATTERED SITES | 1202 W 1st St, Merced 95341 | Public Housing Development | 6 total | (209) 386-4139 |
HUD records identify this as an affordable or assisted housing property. Current vacancies, eligibility and voucher policies must be confirmed directly with property management.
LIHTC Affordable Properties
Properties financed with Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. LIHTC is a financing program, not Section 8 — rent is restricted, but a tax-credit property is not required to accept Housing Choice Vouchers and may have its own separate waiting list.
| Property | Address | Classification | Units | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALAMAR APTS I | 218 S CANAL ST, MERCED 95341 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 24 assisted | — |
| ALAMAR APTS II | 286 S CANAL ST, MERCED 95341 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 79 assisted | — |
| ALMOND GARDEN ELDERLY APTS | 16200 DELHI AVE, DELHI 95315 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 33 assisted | — |
| ALMOND GARDEN FAMILY APTS | 16240 DELHI AVE, DELHI 95315 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 30 assisted | — |
| CARRINGTON POINTE | 1985 SAN LUIS ST, LOS BANOS 93635 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 79 assisted | — |
| CASA DEL SOL | 9370 BIGLER DR, PLANADA 95365 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 53 assisted | — |
| CASITAS DEL SOL | 1001 B ST, LIVINGSTON 95334 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 35 assisted | — |
| CENTRAL VALLEY APTS II | 1130 D ST, LOS BANOS 93635 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 38 assisted | — |
| CHILDS AVENUE APTS | 1296 W FIRST ST, MERCED 95341 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 27 assisted | — |
| DOS PALOS APTS | 21100 STATE HWY 33, DOS PALOS 93620 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 40 assisted | — |
| GATEWAY TERRACE | 402 LESHER DR, MERCED 95341 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 132 total | — |
| GATEWAY TERRACE | 410 LESHER DRIVE, MERCED 95341 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 65 assisted | — |
| GLEN HAVEN PARK | 44 SWALLOW CT, MERCED 95341 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 5 assisted | — |
| GLENHAVEN PARK | 24 W SWALLOW ST, MERCED 95341 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 15 assisted | — |
| GROVE APTS | 340 S PARSONS AVE, MERCED 95341 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 202 assisted | — |
| GUSTINE GARDEN APARTMENTS | 394 WALLIS AVENUE, GUSTINE 95322 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 33 assisted | — |
| HAVEN PARK PARTNERS II | 43 SKYLARK ST, MERCED 95341 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 15 assisted | — |
| HAVEN PARK PARTNERS III | 189 S G ST, MERCED 95341 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 15 assisted | — |
| HAVEN PARK PARTNERS IV | 199 S G ST, MERCED 95341 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 12 assisted | — |
| HERITAGE VILLAGE APTS | 1156 SAN LUIS ST, LOS BANOS 93635 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 49 assisted | — |
| LAUREL GLEN | 777 LOUGHBOROUGH DR, MERCED 95348 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 127 assisted | — |
| LE GRAND APTS | 13171 BRICE ST, LE GRAND 95333 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 34 assisted | — |
| LIVINGSTON FAMILY APTS | 1972 MAIN ST, LIVINGSTON 95334 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 49 total | — |
| LOS BANOS APTS | 44 W I ST, LOS BANOS 93635 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 66 assisted | — |
| LOS BANOS FAMILY APTS I | 2235 GILBERT GONZALEZ JR DR, LOS BANOS 93635 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 103 assisted | — |
| LOS BANOS FAMILY APTS II | 2125 GILBERT GONZALEZ JR DR, LOS BANOS 93635 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 79 assisted | — |
| MACARTHUR APTS (LOS BANOS) | 1130 F ST, LOS BANOS 93635 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 49 assisted | — |
| ORCHARDS ON NEWCASTLE | 1151 NEWCASTLE DR, LIVINGSTON 95334 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 48 assisted | — |
| OVERLAND COURT APARTMENTS | 417 ROCKPORT DRIVE SUITE 200, LOS BANOS 93635 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 69 assisted | — |
| SCA HOMES | 504 SEVILLE WAY, MERCED 95341 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 10 assisted | — |
| SCA HOMES | 505 CARTMELL WAY, MERCED 95341 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 30 assisted | — |
| SIERRA MEADOWS APTS | 720 W 15TH ST, MERCED 95340 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 99 assisted | — |
| SUNNY VIEW APTS I | 1108 D ST, MERCED 95341 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 111 assisted | — |
| SUNNYSIDE APTS | 988 D ST, MERCED 95341 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 120 assisted | — |
| TIOGA APTS | 1715 N ST, MERCED 95340 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 90 assisted | — |
| VINTAGE WEST APTS | 1000 FRONT ST, LIVINGSTON 95334 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 55 assisted | — |
| WILLOWBROOK APTS I | 1756 WILLOWBROOK DR, MERCED 95348 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 16 assisted | — |
| WILLOWBROOK APTS II | 1756 WILLOWBROOK DR, MERCED 95348 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 22 assisted | — |
| WOODBRIDGE PLACE | 3028 WILLOWBROOK DR, MERCED 95348 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 74 assisted | — |
HUD records identify this as an affordable or assisted housing property. Current vacancies, eligibility and voucher policies must be confirmed directly with property management.
How to apply
Contact the administering housing authority
Named above. Only they can tell you whether a waiting list is open.
Check the income limits
In the table above for your household size. Income is one factor, not the whole test.
Ask about local preferences
Many authorities prioritise applicants who live or work in the area, veterans, people with disabilities, or families experiencing homelessness.
Ask for the landlord list
Most authorities keep a list of owners who have accepted vouchers before. It is usually free and rarely published online.
Where this information comes from
- HUD Public Housing Authorities · U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development · source updated 18 August 2026 · retrieved 22 September 2026
- HUD Section 8 Income Limits FY2026 · U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Policy Development and Research · source updated not published by the provider · retrieved 22 September 2026
- HUD Fair Market Rents FY2027 · U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Policy Development and Research (HUD User) · source updated 1 September 2026 · retrieved 4 October 2026
- HUD Multifamily Properties – Assisted · U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development · source updated 21 July 2026 · retrieved 22 September 2026
- HUD Public Housing Developments · U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development · source updated 21 July 2026 · retrieved 22 September 2026
- HUD Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Properties · U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development · source updated 14 May 2025 · retrieved 22 September 2026
Sources: HUD Public Housing Authorities (retrieved 22 September 2026); HUD Section 8 Income Limits FY2026 (retrieved 22 September 2026); HUD Fair Market Rents FY2027 (retrieved 4 October 2026); HUD Multifamily Properties – Assisted (retrieved 22 September 2026); HUD Public Housing Developments (retrieved 22 September 2026); HUD Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Properties (retrieved 22 September 2026).
These federal datasets do not show vacancies, waiting-list status or whether a landlord accepts vouchers (about our data).