Low Income & Subsidized Housing in San Rafael, CA
There are 17 subsidized and income-restricted properties in San Rafael with roughly 708 assisted units — including 6 project-based Section 8 buildings, 0 public housing developments, and 10 LIHTC tax-credit communities, according to HUD administrative data. Reported tenant-paid rents across these buildings range from about $358 to $711 per month.
Complete directory of subsidized housing in San Rafael
| Property | Units | Avg rent | Reported wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Rafael Commons LIHTCPB Section 8 | 83 | $467 | — |
| Rotary Valley Senior Housing LIHTC | 80 | — | — |
| Center Interfaith Housing PB Section 8 | 72 | $516 | — |
| Residences at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus LIHTCPB Section 8 | 67 | — | — |
| Maria B. Freitas §202 Senior | 61 | $436 | — |
| Centertown Apts LIHTC | 60 | — | — |
| Lone Palm Court LIHTC | 60 | — | — |
| Sommerhill Townhomes LIHTC | 39 | — | — |
| Pilgrim Park Apartments PB Section 8 | 36 | $711 | — |
| Anise Turina Apts LIHTC | 28 | — | — |
| Martinelli House LIHTCPB Section 8 | 28 | $486 | — |
| Riviera Apts LIHTC | 27 | — | — |
| Belvedere Place Apts LIHTC | 26 | — | — |
| Lincoln Avenue §811 | 12 | $394 | — |
| Marin Housing for the Handicapped PB Section 8 | 12 | $440 | — |
| Ecology House §811 | 11 | $358 | — |
| Nova House Inc. §811 | 6 | — | — |
Section 8 apartments in San Rafael (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Rafael Commons LIHTCPB Section 8 | 83 | $467 | — |
| Center Interfaith Housing PB Section 8 | 72 | $516 | — |
| Residences at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus LIHTCPB Section 8 | 67 | — | — |
| Pilgrim Park Apartments PB Section 8 | 36 | $711 | — |
| Martinelli House LIHTCPB Section 8 | 28 | $486 | — |
| Marin Housing for the Handicapped PB Section 8 | 12 | $440 | — |
LIHTC & affordable tax-credit apartments in San Rafael
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rotary Valley Senior Housing LIHTC | 80 | — | — |
| Centertown Apts LIHTC | 60 | — | — |
| Lone Palm Court LIHTC | 60 | — | — |
| Sommerhill Townhomes LIHTC | 39 | — | — |
| Anise Turina Apts LIHTC | 28 | — | — |
| Riviera Apts LIHTC | 27 | — | — |
| Belvedere Place Apts LIHTC | 26 | — | — |
How to apply for subsidized housing in San Rafael
- 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
- Fairfax, CA
- Larkspur, CA
- Marin City, CA
- Mill Valley, CA
- Novato, CA
- Tiburon, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- San Diego, CA
- Oakland, CA
Data: HUD Picture of Subsidized Households & LIHTC database (2024 vintage). Figures are administrative averages — confirm current availability with each property.