Low Income & Subsidized Housing in San Marcos, CA
There are 26 subsidized and income-restricted properties in San Marcos with roughly 2,357 assisted units — including 12 project-based Section 8 buildings, 0 public housing developments, and 24 LIHTC tax-credit communities, according to HUD administrative data. Reported tenant-paid rents across these buildings range from about $309 to $309 per month.
Complete directory of subsidized housing in San Marcos
| Property | Units | Avg rent | Reported wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra Vista Apts LIHTC | 192 | — | — |
| Terra Cotta Apts LIHTC | 168 | — | — |
| Grandon Village Apts LIHTC | 161 | — | — |
| Copper Creek Apts 4 Percent LIHTC | 156 | — | — |
| Villa Serena Apts LIHTC | 136 | — | — |
| Paseo Del Oro Apartments LIHTCPB Section 8 | 120 | — | — |
| Rancho Santa Fe Village LIHTC | 120 | — | — |
| Melrose Villas LIHTC | 114 | — | — |
| Autumn Terrace LIHTCPB Section 8 | 103 | — | — |
| Alora LIHTCPB Section 8 | 100 | — | — |
| Las Flores Village LIHTC | 100 | — | — |
| Estrella LIHTCPB Section 8 | 96 | — | — |
| Villa Serena Phase 1 LIHTCPB Section 8 | 85 | — | — |
| El Dorado Ii Apartments LIHTCPB Section 8 | 84 | — | — |
| Parkview Apts LIHTCPB Section 8 | 84 | — | — |
| Fitzpatrick Townhomes LIHTC | 78 | — | — |
| Sage Canyon Apts LIHTC | 72 | — | — |
| Promenade at Creekside LIHTCPB Section 8 | 65 | — | — |
| The Knolls LIHTC | 62 | — | — |
| Westlake Village Apts Phase Ii LIHTCPB Section 8 | 57 | — | — |
| Copper Creek Apts 9 Percent LIHTC | 48 | — | — |
| Ventaliso Ii LIHTCPB Section 8 | 48 | — | — |
| Westlake Village Apts Phase 1 LIHTCPB Section 8 | 48 | — | — |
| Eastgate LIHTCPB Section 8 | 42 | — | — |
| Roher Foundation/carlo & Marsh §811 | 12 | $309 | — |
| Downstown San Marcos §811 | 6 | — | — |
Section 8 apartments in San Marcos (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paseo Del Oro Apartments LIHTCPB Section 8 | 120 | — | — |
| Autumn Terrace LIHTCPB Section 8 | 103 | — | — |
| Alora LIHTCPB Section 8 | 100 | — | — |
| Estrella LIHTCPB Section 8 | 96 | — | — |
| Villa Serena Phase 1 LIHTCPB Section 8 | 85 | — | — |
| El Dorado Ii Apartments LIHTCPB Section 8 | 84 | — | — |
| Parkview Apts LIHTCPB Section 8 | 84 | — | — |
| Promenade at Creekside LIHTCPB Section 8 | 65 | — | — |
| Westlake Village Apts Phase Ii LIHTCPB Section 8 | 57 | — | — |
| Ventaliso Ii LIHTCPB Section 8 | 48 | — | — |
| Westlake Village Apts Phase 1 LIHTCPB Section 8 | 48 | — | — |
| Eastgate LIHTCPB Section 8 | 42 | — | — |
LIHTC & affordable tax-credit apartments in San Marcos
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra Vista Apts LIHTC | 192 | — | — |
| Terra Cotta Apts LIHTC | 168 | — | — |
| Grandon Village Apts LIHTC | 161 | — | — |
| Copper Creek Apts 4 Percent LIHTC | 156 | — | — |
| Villa Serena Apts LIHTC | 136 | — | — |
| Rancho Santa Fe Village LIHTC | 120 | — | — |
| Melrose Villas LIHTC | 114 | — | — |
| Las Flores Village LIHTC | 100 | — | — |
| Fitzpatrick Townhomes LIHTC | 78 | — | — |
| Sage Canyon Apts LIHTC | 72 | — | — |
| The Knolls LIHTC | 62 | — | — |
| Copper Creek Apts 9 Percent LIHTC | 48 | — | — |
How to apply for subsidized housing in San Marcos
- 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
- Carlsbad, CA
- Chula Vista, CA
- Coronado, CA
- El Cajon, CA
- Encinitas, CA
- Escondido, CA
- Fallbrook, CA
- Imperial Beach, CA
- La Mesa, CA
- Lakeside, CA
- Lemon Grove, CA
- National City, CA
Data: HUD Picture of Subsidized Households & LIHTC database (2024 vintage). Figures are administrative averages — confirm current availability with each property.