Low Income & Subsidized Housing in Santa Maria, CA
There are 21 subsidized and income-restricted properties in Santa Maria with roughly 1,466 assisted units — including 12 project-based Section 8 buildings, 0 public housing developments, and 15 LIHTC tax-credit communities, according to HUD administrative data. Reported tenant-paid rents across these buildings range from about $413 to $488 per month.
Map of subsidized housing in Santa Maria
Complete directory of subsidized housing in Santa Maria
| Property | Units | Avg rent | Reported wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Vizcaya Apts LIHTC | 236 | — | — |
| Westgate Courtyards LIHTC | 204 | — | — |
| Centennial Gardens LIHTCPB Section 8 | 160 | — | — |
| Santa Maria Studios LIHTCPB Section 8 | 160 | — | — |
| Union Plaza PB Section 8 | 122 | $452 | — |
| Rancho Gardens Apts I LIHTC | 104 | — | — |
| The Residences at Depot Street LIHTCPB Section 8 | 80 | — | — |
| Los Adobes de Maria Ii LIHTC | 52 | — | — |
| Rancho Hermosa LIHTCPB Section 8 | 47 | — | — |
| Oak Knolls Apartments PB Section 8 | 40 | $488 | — |
| Sierra Madre Cottages LIHTCPB Section 8 | 39 | — | — |
| Los Adobes de Maria Iii LIHTCPB Section 8 | 34 | — | — |
| Valentine Court I PB Section 8 | 34 | $413 | — |
| West Cox Cottages LIHTCPB Section 8 | 30 | — | — |
| Ted Zenich Gardens LIHTCPB Section 8 | 24 | — | — |
| Los Pinos LIHTC | 23 | — | — |
| Central Plaza Apts. LIHTCPB Section 8 | 22 | $482 | — |
| Valentine Court Ii §202 Senior | 18 | $414 | — |
| Rancho Gardens Apts Ii LIHTC | 16 | — | — |
| New Visions/smile Housing Corp. §811 | 12 | — | — |
| Valentine Court Iii §811 | 9 | — | — |
Section 8 apartments in Santa Maria (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centennial Gardens LIHTCPB Section 8 | 160 | — | — |
| Santa Maria Studios LIHTCPB Section 8 | 160 | — | — |
| Union Plaza PB Section 8 | 122 | $452 | — |
| The Residences at Depot Street LIHTCPB Section 8 | 80 | — | — |
| Rancho Hermosa LIHTCPB Section 8 | 47 | — | — |
| Oak Knolls Apartments PB Section 8 | 40 | $488 | — |
| Sierra Madre Cottages LIHTCPB Section 8 | 39 | — | — |
| Los Adobes de Maria Iii LIHTCPB Section 8 | 34 | — | — |
| Valentine Court I PB Section 8 | 34 | $413 | — |
| West Cox Cottages LIHTCPB Section 8 | 30 | — | — |
| Ted Zenich Gardens LIHTCPB Section 8 | 24 | — | — |
| Central Plaza Apts. LIHTCPB Section 8 | 22 | $482 | — |
LIHTC & affordable tax-credit apartments in Santa Maria
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Vizcaya Apts LIHTC | 236 | — | — |
| Westgate Courtyards LIHTC | 204 | — | — |
| Rancho Gardens Apts I LIHTC | 104 | — | — |
| Los Adobes de Maria Ii LIHTC | 52 | — | — |
| Los Pinos LIHTC | 23 | — | — |
| Rancho Gardens Apts Ii LIHTC | 16 | — | — |
How to apply for subsidized housing in Santa Maria
- 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
- Carpinteria, CA
- Goleta, CA
- Guadalupe, CA
- Lompoc, CA
- Santa Barbara, 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.