Renting affordable housing

Find an affordable rental through the housing lottery

Learn how to get below market rate rental housing in San Francisco.

Understand the rental process

The exterior of a tall, modern apartment building in an urban setting on a sunny day.

You can also get City help to buy a home or get a downpayment loan. Includes services for below market rate homeowners. Learn about buying.

Services

Find an apartment

Find an affordable rental

Enter the lottery to rent a below market rate apartment on DAHLIA SF Housing Portal.

Apply to first come, first served listings

Apply to rent a below market rate apartment without entering a lottery.

Other housing opportunities

Other ways to find housing in the Greater Bay Area. Includes housing for seniors.

Apply to rent without a lottery

Apply to rent a below market rate apartment without entering a lottery. We review applications in the order they come in.

View listings

News

New Interest Rate for Security Deposits Effective 3/1/24

January 8, 2024

New Interest Rate for Security Deposits Effective 3/1/23

January 6, 2023

ULI SF and Mayor’s Office of Housing Open Applications for the Bay Area Developers of Color Fellowship

August 15, 2022

See more news

Resources

For people looking for housing

Understand the rental process

How to find and apply for a rental through San Francisco's affordable housing lottery.

Get priority in the housing lottery

Lottery preference programs give you a better chance at getting housing.

How the affordable housing lottery works

A lottery determines your place in line to get housing. Find out how it works.

After the rental housing lottery

What to expect after the lottery for affordable rental housing.

Eligibility for MOHCD housing programs

MOHCD housing programs have income and household size requirements. Some units are for specific populations.

Find your Area Median Income (AMI) level

Your AMI level determines whether you can apply for income based services.

Get emails about new housing opportunities

Find out when new affordable housing listings are posted on DAHLIA.

For current renters

Get help paying rent

Emergency help to pay your rent or a security deposit.

Get help if you might be evicted

Resources if you are having conflicts, served an eviction notice, or need help paying rent.

Report a residential building concern

Report building or living condition problems for residential buildings including single room occupancy (SRO) hotels.

Get help

Get help if you are experiencing or at risk of homelessness

Housing problem solving and preventing homelessness.

Find a housing counselor

Counselors can help with your application and housing search.

Go to a housing workshop

Learn about affordable housing options and how to apply.