Housing Navigation & Resources
If you are experiencing housing instability, couch surfing, at risk of losing housing, or unsure where you will stay, Basic Needs can help you identify next steps and connect you with campus and community resources.
You do not need to be experiencing homelessness to ask for support. Students can request help for many housing-related situations, including eviction notices, temporary housing instability, unsafe or overcrowded housing, rent concerns, or loss of housing due to financial hardship.
Important note: The Basic Needs Department provides resource navigation, referrals, and support with next steps. We do not own, operate, or manage the housing programs listed on this page, and we cannot guarantee housing availability, eligibility, or placement.
Immediate Help Available
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you do not have a safe place to stay tonight, call or text 211 to connect with local shelter and housing resources. The Alameda County shelter availability is updated twice daily through 211.
- 211 Alameda County: Call or Text 211
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788
- National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
- LPC Campus Safety: Call 925-424-1699
- LPC Student Health & Counseling: 925-424-1830
Request Basic Needs Housing Navigation
Please complete the Basic Needs Assistance Request Form below.
Basic Needs Assistance Request Form
Before You Apply for Housing
Important information to review before starting housing applications, waitlists, or rental searches.
- Complete the Basic Needs Assistance Request Form.
- Visit the Welcome Center in person to schedule your appointment.
- Call or text 211 if you need shelter or urgent housing referrals.
- Apply to affordable housing waitlists as soon as possible.
- Check housing portals weekly because openings may close quickly.
- Keep your phone number, email, and mailing address updated on every housing application.
- Save screenshots, confirmation numbers, login information, and application dates.
Important to Consider:
Affordable housing is usually not immediate. Apply as early as possible and apply to more than one waitlist or housing portal.
HUD recommends applying to multiple Public Housing Agency waitlists because voucher demand is high and waitlists can be long.
HUD also notes that applicants may not need to live in the jurisdiction where they apply, although a housing authority may require a household to live in that jurisdiction for the first 12 months after receiving assistance.
San Joaquin Housing Authority
Wait times vary by program. Some property-based or
BMR opportunities may move faster, but Section 8 and public housing waitlists can
take years. San Joaquin County’s Housing Authority notes that average wait time can depend on funding and turnover and may take 3–6
years.
Livermore Housing Authority
Livermore Housing Authority’s tenant-based Section 8 waitlist is currently closed, and its site notes that as of May 2024 there were approximately 1,300 people on the list, with selection dependent on funding and program turnover.
Basic Needs can support students experiencing:
- Homelessness or couch surfing
- Temporary housing instability
- Eviction notices or rent arrears
- Unsafe or overcrowded living conditions
- Loss of housing due to financial hardship
- Transitioning out of foster care or family housing
- Housing challenges affecting safety, stability, or school success
We can help you explore resources, understand possible next steps, gather documents, and connect with campus or community programs when available. We do not determine eligibility for public benefits or housing programs.
Before applying for housing or waitlists, gather documents if you have them:
- Photo ID or student ID
- Proof of income, pay stubs, or financial aid award letter
- Class schedule or proof of enrollment
- Current lease, rent receipt, or housing arrangement statement
- Eviction notice, notice to pay rent or quit, or other housing-related paperwork
- Social Security number or immigration documents if the program requires them
- Contact information for landlord, employer, or case worker if applicable
Many affordable housing applications ask about household size, income, and contact information. If you have no income, inconsistent income, financial aid, or are couch surfing, ask the property manager or housing program what documents they accept. Do not assume you are ineligible without checking.
Section 8 and Housing Choice Vouchers
Section 8, also called the Housing Choice Voucher Program, helps eligible households pay part of their rent. HUD explains that the local housing agency pays a housing assistance payment directly to the landlord, and the household pays its required rent portion, often based on adjusted monthly income.
How to Apply:
- You apply through a local Public Housing Agency, not through the college.
- You may apply to multiple open waitlists.
- Keep your contact information updated because missing mail, email, or phone calls may lead to removal from a waitlist.
HUD notes that reaching the top of a waitlist depends on available vouchers, application date, and selection preferences such as veteran or disability status.
Student Note:
Community college students can apply to housing authorities where they live, where they want to live, or where a waitlist is open, but each housing authority has its own rules, preferences, and eligibility process. Read each application carefully.
Links:
- HUD Public Housing Agency Directory
- Housing Authority of the County of Alameda (HACA)
- Livermore Housing Authority
- City of Alameda Housing Authority
- Oakland Housing Authority
- Berkeley Housing Authority
- Contra Costa Housing Authority
- San Joaquin Housing Authority
- Santa Clara County Housing Authority
- AffordableHousing.com - Open Waiting Lists
Below Market Rate (BMR) and Property-Based Affordable Housing
BMR housing usually refers to affordable rental or ownership units offered at rents or prices below typical market rates. These units often have income limits, household size rules, and separate applications through the property, city, or housing portal.
BMR and property-based affordable housing may be a good option for students who have some income, financial aid, employment, or household support, but every property has different rules. Apply directly through the property or the city portal listed.
Examples
- Pleasanton BMR Apartments:
Pleasanton notes BMR applicants generally must meet income limits, and many BMR rents are based on 80%, 60%, or 50% of Area Median Income depending on the property. - Dublin BMR and Middle-Income Rental Housing:
Dublin lists family and senior communities with BMR and middle-income affordable units. - Sunnyvale BMR and Affordable Rental Units:
Sunnyvale offers BMR units for lower-income households and Affordable Rental Units for very low-income households, with applications submitted directly to the apartment complex. - San Francisco DAHLIA:
Use for San Francisco BMR rental lotteries and first-come, first-served listings. - San José Affordable Housing Portal:
San José’s portal lists affordable apartments currently accepting applications and allows users to begin the application process. - Doorway Bay Area Housing Portal:
Use for Bay Area affordable rental listings and common application tools.
Las Positas College Housing Resource Guide
This guide was developed by the Las Positas College CalWORKs Program in response to the growing number of students experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. It is intended to provide a centralized place where students can explore housing options and reduce barriers while navigating housing instability.
Eligibility requirements vary by program and organization. We encourage you to contact each provider directly to confirm whether you qualify for their services.
Note to Users: The housing resources listed on this entire page are provided for informational purposes only. Las Positas College and the Basic Needs Department do not own, operate, or manage these housing programs and cannot guarantee housing availability, eligibility, or placement.
A Guide to Start Your Housing Search
Housing Directory
Know Your Rights and Confidentiality
- Asking for help will not affect your enrollment or academic standing.
- Services are private and student-centered.
- We will not share your information without your consent, except when required for immediate safety concerns.
- Undocumented students can still request housing navigation and campus support.
- You can ask questions without committing to any program.
- Eligibility varies by program, and each agency decides its own requirements
Alameda County and Tri-Valley Housing Resources
Resources most relevant to Las Positas College students in Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, Hayward, Fremont, Union City, and nearby Alameda County communities.
AC Housing Choices
Use for affordable housing listings, Alameda County housing search support, 211 shelter information, and links to deposit assistance, rental assistance, legal aid, and housing search sites.
The site allows users to search by city, bedroom size, rent range, wheelchair access, and pet-friendly units.
Doorway Bay Area Housing Portal
Use for affordable rental housing opportunities across the Bay Area.
Union City notes that Alameda County moved its housing portal to Doorway in 2025 and that Doorway includes a common short-form application and housing opportunities across the nine-county Bay Area.
AffordableHousing.com
Use to search affordable rentals and Section 8-friendly listings, and to check open waiting lists. AffordableHousing.com notes that Section 8 waitlists often fill quickly and may open only briefly, so students should check often.
HACA also uses AffordableHousing.com for its free Section 8 HCV “For Rent” directory.
AffordableHousing.com
Housing Authority of the County of Alameda (HACA)
Housing Authority of the County of Alameda
Use for Housing Choice Voucher and project-based voucher information in much of Alameda County. Alameda County HCD notes that HACA maintains a Housing Choice Voucher waitlist and project-based waitlists, but Alameda County HCD itself does not issue or manage Section 8 vouchers.
Livermore Housing Authority and City of Livermore Affordable Housing
Use for Livermore Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher information and affordable housing information. The Livermore Housing Authority administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Please Note: The Livermore Housing Authority's tenant-based Section 8 waitlist is currently closed. AffordableHousing.com is used to manage applications and waitlist updates.
Livermore Housing Authority City of Livermore Affordable Housing
City of Dublin Rental Housing and BMR Resources
Use for Dublin family and senior apartment communities offering Below Market Rate and middle-income affordable units.
The City of Dublin advises students and housing seekers to contact apartment communities directly for vacancies and also points users to AC Housing Choices and Doorway.
City of Pleasanton BMR Housing
Use for Pleasanton BMR rental housing, housing interest list, and current BMR apartment information.
Please Note: The City of Pleasanton does not directly build, own, or manage rental housing, but nearly 1,000 BMR rental units have been built since the mid-1980s, with leasing handled by each apartment complex.
Alameda County Social Services provides information and referrals for housing assistance programs, including emergency shelters, transitional housing, and other support services for individuals and families experiencing housing instability.
The resource directory helps connect residents with programs and organizations that may be able to assist with housing needs.
CityServe of the Tri-valley
Connects individuals and families with local churches and community partners that provide practical support such as food, clothing, household goods, and other essential items.
You can submit a request through their website to be connected with organizations in your area that may be able to help.
Tri-Valley REACH
Tri-Valley REACH (Resources for Employment, Access, Community, and Housing) supports adults with developmental disabilities in the Tri-Valley area by providing housing opportunities, employment support, and community programs.
Their services help individuals live more independently and stay connected to their community.
Bay Area Housing Resources Outside Alameda County
This section is useful for commuter students, students relocating for school, or students open to living outside Alameda County.
Doorway Bay Area Housing Portal
Best first stop for Bay Area-wide affordable rental listings. The Bay Area Housing Finance Authority launched Doorway as a regional portal to centralize affordable housing listings, provide search filters and map-based search, and guide users through the affordable housing application process.
Contra Costa County Affordable Housing Resources
Use Contra Costa’s affordable housing resources page for affordable/subsidized rental unit lists, housing authority information, tenant counseling, and homeless or at-risk resources. Contra Costa notes that applicants should call each building manager for application or waiting list procedures.
Contra Costa’s Affordable Housing Resources Page
Contra Costa Housing Authority Waitlist
Students should also sign up for Contra Costa Housing Authority waitlist alerts because waitlists may open several times a year and remain open only briefly.
Contra Costa Housing Authority Waitlist Alerts
Contra Costa Employment & Human Services (EHSD)
Provides programs and support services for individuals and families in Contra Costa County. Services may include CalFresh (food assistance), CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, housing support, and employment resources.
The department helps residents access essential benefits and connect with community services that support financial stability and well-being.
Santa Clara County Housing Authority
Use Santa Clara County Housing Authority for Section 8 interest lists. SCCHA notes that online interest lists are open 24/7 and that joining the list tells the agency you want to receive rental assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Selection is random when assistance becomes available, and not everyone is guaranteed housing.
San José Affordable Housing Portal
Use the San José affordable housing portal for affordable apartments currently accepting applications. San José also directs Section 8 questions to the Santa Clara County Housing Authority.
San Mateo County
Use Doorway for San Mateo County affordable housing opportunities.
The City of San Mateo describes Doorway as a one-stop shop for affordable rental housing and notes that San Mateo no longer maintains its own BMR rental waiting list.
San Francisco
Use DAHLIA San Francisco Housing Portal for below-market-rate rental lotteries and first-come, first-served affordable housing listings.
San Joaquin County Housing Resources
Affordable housing, shelter, rental assistance, and tenant support resources for students in Tracy, Stockton, Manteca, Lathrop, Lodi, and surrounding San Joaquin County communities.
Housing Authority of the County of San Joaquin (HACSJ)
Use for Housing Choice Voucher, Public Housing, Project-Based Voucher, and site-based property waitlists.
HACSJ notes that applications are accepted only when waitlists are open and that separate waitlists are maintained for different programs.
HACSJ also notes that the average wait time depends on program turnover and funding and could take 3–6 years.
211 San Joaquin
Use for housing and shelter referrals, low-cost rental listings, rent payment assistance, tenant rights information, transitional housing, domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, and youth shelters.
211 San Joaquin lists housing/shelter categories and can be reached by either:
- dialing 211 or 800-436-9997,
- texting a zip code to 898211.
San Joaquin County Homeless Assistance Programs
Use for Continuum of Care, Emergency Solutions Grant, rapid rehousing, shelter operations, rental assistance, and stabilization services.
San Joaquin County lists the following as program contacts or subrecipients.
- Central Valley Low Income Housing Corporation
- Lutheran Social Services
- St. Mary’s Dining Room
- Stockton Shelter for the Homeless
- Women’s Center Youth & Family Services
- Haven of Peace
- McHenry House
- Lodi House
- Salvation Army
- Gospel Center Rescue Mission
- HOPE Family Shelter
San Joaquin Fair Housing
Use for free rental lists, tenant information, housing rights, and fair housing support.
San Joaquin Fair Housing notes that its free rental list is updated biweekly and warns renters to verify details with landlords and never pay money before inspecting and approving the unit.
AffordableHousing.com
Use to search affordable rentals and Section 8-friendly listings in San Joaquin County.
Tenant Rights, Eviction, Rent, and Deposit Help
If you receive an eviction notice, rent demand, notice to pay rent or quit, or court paperwork, ask for help immediately. Do not wait until the deadline passes.
211 Alameda County
Useful for housing, legal assistance, emergency shelter, food, transportation, and other referrals. 211 Alameda County describes itself as a 24/7 connection to housing, healthcare, disaster relief, legal assistance, emergency shelter, and other community resources.
Bay Area Legal Aid
Use for tenant rights, eviction defense, and housing legal advice. BayLegal lists tenant rights lines for Alameda and Contra Costa County and a general Legal Advice Line.
ECHO Housing
Use for tenant/landlord counseling, mediation, fair housing, rental assistance, and move-in or delinquent rent support.
ECHO’s tenant/landlord program
Provides information on evictions, rent increases, repairs, habitability, harassment, illegal entry, and related tenant-landlord issues.
ECHO Housing Tenant/Landlord Services
ECHO's Rental Assistance Program
Assists Alameda County residents with move-in costs or delinquent rent due to a temporary financial setback.
If You Need Immediate Help
If you are in immediate danger or fleeing violence, please prioritize your safety first. If you are experiencing an urgent housing or safety crisis, the emergency resources below may be able to provide immediate support.
- Emergency Services: Call 911 for immediate help in situations involving danger, violence, a medical emergency, or any urgent safety concern.
- 211 Alameda County: Call or text 211 to connect you with local support, including housing assistance, emergency shelters, food resources, healthcare services, and other community programs.
- Bay Area Community Services (BACS): Call 510-613-0330 for crisis response, mental health support, and help connecting to emergency shelter and housing resources in Alameda County.
- National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for 24/7 confidential support during emotional distress, a mental health crisis, or thoughts of suicide.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788 for confidential support, safety planning, and resources related to domestic or relationship violence.
- Las Positas College Campus Safety & Security: Call 925-424-1699 for immediate support with safety concerns on campus and help coordinating with emergency services when needed.
- Las Positas College Student Health & Counseling Services: Call 925-424-1830 for basic health care, counseling services, wellness education,
and referrals to additional community resources.
Important Note: Emergency housing availability may vary and may be limited. If possible, contact the listed organizations directly to confirm availability and eligibility requirements.
Last updated: May 2026.
Housing resources, waitlists, and eligibility rules change often. Please contact each
agency directly to confirm current availability and requirements.
