Public Housing Program
Public Housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers Federal aid to local housing agencies that manage the housing for residents at rents they can afford. HUD furnishes technical and professional assistance in planning, developing, and managing these developments.
The Housing Authority of the County of Merced administers 421 public housing units in the cities of Merced, Atwater, Livingston, Winton, Los Banos, and Dos Palos.
Who is eligible?
Public Housing is limited to income-qualified families and individuals. The Authority determines your eligibility based on income, household composition, U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status, suitability, and Authority rules – without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or familial status.
Income Limits
Effective 5/1/26 — Median Family Income: $75,800
| Persons in Household | Poverty Guidelines | Extremely Low Income | Very Low Income | Low Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $20,450 | $34,000 | $54,400 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $23,350 | $38,850 | $62,200 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $27,320 | $43,700 | $69,950 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $33,000 | $48,550 | $77,700 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $38,680 | $52,450 | $83,950 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $44,360 | $56,350 | $90,150 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $50,040 | $60,250 | $96,350 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $55,720 | $64,100 | $102,600 |
| 9 | $61,400 | $61,400 | $68,000 | $108,800 |
| 10 | $67,080 | $67,080 | $71,900 | $115,000 |
| 11 | $72,760 | $72,760 | $75,750 | $121,250 |
| 12 | $78,440 | $78,440 | $79,650 | $127,450 |
How do I apply?
Interested applicants must visit the Public Notices page for waiting list updates. Waiting list opening announcements with detailed sign-up information are posted there.
How does the application process work?
When a notice of waiting list opening is issued to the public, interested applicants must log into the Applicant Portal and create an account on the Authority’s website and complete the online pre-application. Information applicants must provide:
- Names of all persons who would be living in the unit, their sex, date of birth, and relationship to the family head;
- Your present address, telephone number, and email address;
- Family characteristics (e.g., veteran) or circumstances (e.g., living in substandard housing) that might qualify the family for tenant selection preferences;
- An estimate of your family’s anticipated income for the next twelve months and the sources of that income.
It is important that all of this information be provided, as only complete applications are placed on the waiting list. Failure to provide complete information will result in your application being rejected.
IMPORTANT: Applications may be rejected if the family does not meet the occupancy standards (bedroom size) for the waiting list that was open and/or if a closed waiting list is selected.
When will I be notified?
The Authority will send you a confirmation email once your application has been accepted onto the waiting list(s). If you are selected from the waiting list, the Authority will mail you an eligibility packet that you must complete and return by the specified due date. If it is determined that you are ineligible, the Authority provides you with written notification and explanation as to why. Should you disagree with the determination, you must submit a written request for an informal review within the request period.
Will I need to produce any documentation?
Yes, you will, but not until you are selected from the waiting list. An Authority representative will request whatever documentation is needed (e.g., birth certificates, tax returns) to verify the information given on your application. The Authority will also rely on direct verification from your employer, etc. You will be asked to sign a form to authorize the release of pertinent information to the Authority.
Will I have to sign a Lease?
If you are offered a unit and accept it, you will have to sign the initial one-year lease with the Authority. You and the Authority representative will go over the lease together. This will give you a better understanding of your responsibilities as a tenant and the Authority’s responsibilities as a landlord.
How is rent determined?
The rent, which is referred to as the Total Tenant Payment (TTP) in this program, is based on your family’s anticipated gross annual income less deductions, if any. HUD regulations allow housing authorities to exclude from annual income the allowances for dependents, elderly members, a person with a disability, and some medical deductions for families headed by an elderly person or a person with disabilities. Based on your application, the Authority representative will determine if any of the allowable deductions should be subtracted from your annual income. Annual income is the anticipated total income from all sources received from the family head and spouse, and each additional member of the family.
The formula used in determining the TTP is the highest of the following, rounded to the nearest dollar:
- 30 percent of the monthly adjusted income. (Monthly Adjusted Income is annual income less deductions allowed by the regulations);
- a $50 minimum rent or higher amount (up to $50) set by the Authority.
What is the role of the Authority?
The Authority is responsible for the management and operation of its local public housing program. The Authority may also operate other types of housing programs.
On-going functions: (a) Assure compliance with leases. The lease must be signed by both parties; (b) Set other charges (e.g., security deposit, excess utility consumption, and damages to unit); (c) Perform annual reexaminations of the family’s income at least once every 12 months; (d) Transfer families from one unit to another, in order to correct over/under crowding, repair or renovate a dwelling, as a reasonable accommodation, VAWA, or because of a resident’s request to be transferred; (e) Terminate leases when necessary; and (f) maintain the development in a decent, safe, and sanitary condition.
How long can I stay in Public Housing?
At this time, there is no set timeline; however, there are reasons that will affect occupancy. You may stay in public housing as long as you comply with the lease, do not exceed the 120% family median income, and have household members with eligible status in the household.
If, at annual reexamination, your family’s income exceeds the 120% family median income, the Authority may determine whether your family should stay in public housing.
Monthly Utility Allowance Schedule
Effective Date: October 1, 2025
Building Type: Row House/Townhouse & Semi-Detached/Duplex
Merced CA-23-01, 10, 13, 24, Los Banos 02, 04, 11, Dos Palos 05, 12C, D, Atwater 03, 12A, Winton 12B, Livingston 06
| 0BR | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR | 4BR | 5BR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric & Natural Gas | $78.00 | $102.00 | $125.00 | $144.00 |
Building Type: Detached House
Merced CA-23-01, 10, 21, Atwater 03, 23
| 0BR | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR | 4BR | 5BR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric & Natural Gas | $115.00 | $142.00 | $171.00 | $194.00 |
All Building Types
| All Developments | 0BR | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR | 4BR | 5BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | $12.00 | $12.00 | $12.00 | $12.00 |
Refrigerator Purchase/Lease: $500.00 (includes tax) @ 14.95% add-on interest for 60 months = $12.00
Asset Managers
88 7th St., Los Banos 93635
21918 Lexington Ave., Dos Palos 93620
1005 8th St., Livingston 95334
Contact Us
Merced, CA 95341