FAQ: Does Dream Big Property Management Accept Section 8 Vouchers?

By Brian Bean | August 9, 2026

Resident FAQ: Applying With a Housing Voucher

Yes, We Accept Section 8 Vouchers — Here’s Exactly How Qualification Works

By BRIAN BEAN
Rental Home Advocate | Property Manager | Real Estate Broker

The following is not intended as legal advice. This general information is for educational purposes only. Consult with an attorney or your local housing authority for guidance on your specific situation.

Does Dream Big Property Management accept Section 8 vouchers? Yes. We accept Section 8 vouchers and all other legal, verifiable sources of income to demonstrate an applicant’s ability to pay rent.

Here’s exactly how that works.

Every prospective resident completes the same application for an available rental, and we treat every application the same way, regardless of income source. One of our core qualifications is household income sufficient to afford the monthly rent. Our standard requires gross household income (before taxes) of at least three times the applicant’s portion of the rent, after accounting for any existing monthly consumer debt payments.

Applicants approved for Section 8 housing vouchers or other public assistance programs provide a copy of their voucher as proof of their ability to cover their portion of the rent. We measure their personal income against their specific rent responsibility, not the full contract rent, since the housing authority covers the remaining portion directly.

Section 8 applicants also have the option under California law (SB 267) to request that credit history not be used as part of their qualification, and to instead provide alternate evidence of their ability to pay rent.

For every applicant, regardless of income source, we run the same full verification process. We confirm the accuracy of submitted documents, verify income directly with the source, run background, criminal, and eviction checks, and confirm rental history and references.

For voucher holders specifically, we also coordinate directly with the local housing authority. That includes scheduling the required property inspection and completing the written lease addendum the housing authority requires before move-in.

If an application is approved, the lease must begin within 14 days, or on the first of the month, whichever comes first. Voucher recipients need to bring move-in funds that include their portion of the first month’s rent, a full security deposit, and any applicable service charges. The housing authority’s portion of the rent is paid directly to us, separate from what the resident brings to move-in.

California law protects an applicant’s right to use a housing voucher. Since 2020, state law has prohibited landlords from denying an applicant solely because they participate in Section 8 voucher program. These programs exist to help people in vulnerable financial positions access clean, safe housing, and a great many households depend on them every day.

Local Housing Authority Resources

If you’re curious about the housing voucher program in the Inland Empire, here’s where to find more information for your county.

Riverside County

Housing Authority of the County of Riverside (HACR)
Website: harivco.org
Address: 5555 Arlington Ave, Riverside, CA 92504
Phone: (951) 351-0700

San Bernardino County

Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (HACSB)
Website: hacsb.com
Address: 715 E. Brier Drive, San Bernardino, CA 92408
Phone: (909) 890-0644

Interested in One of Our Rentals?

Check our current listings at AVAILABLE RENTALS, or give us a call at 951-778-9700. We’re happy to share.

 

About the Author
Brian Bean is the Broker and founder of Dream Big Property Management, serving residents and property owners across Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, and the greater Inland Empire.

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Full Transcript

Transcript of the video above — Brian Bean, Broker/Owner and Rental Home Advocate, Dream Big Property Management. CA DRE #01346382. Lightly edited for readability.

Does Dream Big Property Management accept Section 8 vouchers? Short answer, yes, we do.

Hi, I’m Brian Bean, founder and broker at Dream Big Property Management here in Riverside, California. And yes, we accept Section 8 vouchers, as well as any other legal, verifiable sources of income that demonstrate an applicant’s ability to pay rent. Here’s how it works.

Prospective residents complete an application for an available rental, and then we treat all applications in the same way. One of the qualifications is household income sufficient to afford the monthly rent. Our qualification standards typically require household gross income — that’s what you earn before taking out taxes — of at least three times rent.

Applicants approved for Section 8 provide a copy of their voucher as proof of ability to pay a portion of the rent, and then we measure the applicant’s income against their portion of the remaining balance, plus any existing monthly consumer debt payments.

Section 8 applicants also can request that credit history not be used as part of their qualifications, providing alternate evidence of ability to pay rent instead.

For all applicants, we verify all submitted information. We verify document veracity. We confirm income directly with the sources. We run background checks, criminal checks, eviction checks, and we verify rental history and references. We also coordinate directly with the Section 8 housing authority for property inspections, as well as the required written lease addendum.

If your application’s approved, the lease must begin within 14 days, or on the first of the month, whichever is sooner. Voucher recipients must provide move-in funds that include their portion of the first month’s rent, a full security deposit, plus any applicable service charges. The voucher portion of the rent comes directly to us from the housing authority.

Renters in California are protected by state law, which since 2020 has prohibited denying applications simply because they participate in a Section 8 program. These housing programs are designed to help people in vulnerable financial positions afford clean, safe places to live. They’re viable and they’re important programs, and many, many people depend upon them every day.

If you have questions about Section 8 housing voucher programs in the Inland Empire, find information at harivco.org or hacsb.com.

Interested in one of our rentals? Check out DREAM BIG HOMES FOR RENT or give us a call, 951-778-9700. We’re happy to share.

It’s not just a house. It’s your home. And home is where you build a life.

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