Low Income & Subsidized Housing in El Centro, CA
There are 18 subsidized and income-restricted properties in El Centro with roughly 1,025 assisted units — including 11 project-based Section 8 buildings, 2 public housing developments, and 9 LIHTC tax-credit communities, according to HUD administrative data. Reported tenant-paid rents across these buildings range from about $352 to $735 per month. Median reported wait: about 57 months.
Map of subsidized housing in El Centro
Complete directory of subsidized housing in El Centro
| Property | Units | Avg rent | Reported wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Villas Apartments LIHTCPB Section 8 | 172 | — | — |
| Fairfield Homes Public Housing | 117 | $572 | 84 mo |
| Orangewood Homes Public Housing | 117 | $735 | 30 mo |
| El Centro Senior Villas LIHTC | 81 | — | — |
| Imperial Gardens Family Apts LIHTCPB Section 8 | 77 | — | — |
| Las Brisas LIHTCPB Section 8 | 73 | — | — |
| Countryside Apts LIHTC | 72 | — | — |
| Countryside Ii Family Apartments LIHTCPB Section 8 | 56 | — | — |
| El Dorado Family Apartments Ii LIHTCPB Section 8 | 48 | — | — |
| Euclid Villas PB Section 8 | 42 | $546 | — |
| Valley Apartments #2 PB Section 8 | 32 | $381 | — |
| Valley Apartments #1 PB Section 8 | 30 | $421 | — |
| Valley Apartments #3 PB Section 8 | 24 | $414 | — |
| El Centro Senior Villas Phase Ii LIHTCPB Section 8 | 20 | — | — |
| Boatwright Homes §202 Senior | 19 | $352 | — |
| Cedar Homes §202 Senior | 19 | $384 | — |
| Valley Apartments #4 PB Section 8 | 18 | $547 | — |
| El Centro Family Housing LIHTC | 8 | — | — |
Section 8 apartments in El Centro (project-based)
These buildings carry HUD Section 8 contracts attached to the units — apply at each management office rather than through the voucher waitlist. How project-based Section 8 works →
| Property | Units | Avg rent | Reported wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Villas Apartments LIHTCPB Section 8 | 172 | — | — |
| Imperial Gardens Family Apts LIHTCPB Section 8 | 77 | — | — |
| Las Brisas LIHTCPB Section 8 | 73 | — | — |
| Countryside Ii Family Apartments LIHTCPB Section 8 | 56 | — | — |
| El Dorado Family Apartments Ii LIHTCPB Section 8 | 48 | — | — |
| Euclid Villas PB Section 8 | 42 | $546 | — |
| Valley Apartments #2 PB Section 8 | 32 | $381 | — |
| Valley Apartments #1 PB Section 8 | 30 | $421 | — |
| Valley Apartments #3 PB Section 8 | 24 | $414 | — |
| El Centro Senior Villas Phase Ii LIHTCPB Section 8 | 20 | — | — |
| Valley Apartments #4 PB Section 8 | 18 | $547 | — |
Public housing developments in El Centro
Rents here are set at about 30% of household income and managed by the local housing authority. About the public housing program →
| Property | Units | Avg rent | Reported wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield Homes Public Housing | 117 | $572 | 84 mo |
| Orangewood Homes Public Housing | 117 | $735 | 30 mo |
LIHTC & affordable tax-credit apartments in El Centro
Tax-credit units rent below market rate for households within income bands (often 30–60% of Area Median Income). Understanding LIHTC →
| Property | Units | Avg rent | Reported wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Centro Senior Villas LIHTC | 81 | — | — |
| Countryside Apts LIHTC | 72 | — | — |
| El Centro Family Housing LIHTC | 8 | — | — |
How to apply for subsidized housing in El Centro
- Apply to buildings directly. Project-based Section 8, public housing, §202/§811 and LIHTC properties run their own waitlists — contact each office using the details on its page.
- Join voucher waitlists. Your regional housing authority administers Housing Choice Vouchers; ask about current openings and preferences. Step-by-step application guide →
- Document everything. ID, Social Security cards, birth certificates, and income proof speed up both paths.
- Stay reachable. Update your address everywhere — missed mail is the top reason applicants lose spots.
Nearby cities with low income housing
- Brawley, CA
- Calexico, CA
- Heber, CA
- Holtville, CA
- Imperial, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- San Diego, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Fresno, CA
Data: HUD Picture of Subsidized Households & LIHTC database (2024 vintage). Figures are administrative averages — confirm current availability with each property.