Selection from the Waiting list

  • After applying to a Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo wait list, applicants must always keep their information current; failure to do so may result in your name being removed from the waiting list.
  • Applicants are selected from the waiting lists based on applicable preferences then by lottery; applicants will be notified of selection and any required appointments or process completions via email or regular U.S. first-class mail.

NOTE: Applicants to certain programs, such as Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH), Family Unification Program (FUP), Mainstream, or Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) are directly referred from service providers.

The Intake Process

HACSM uses various methods to collect information and complete the intake process:

  • Applicants can be notified via email to complete the intake process through the Rent Café PHA portal
  • Applicants can be sent information via email or DocuSign to complete documents electronically
  • Applicants can be sent a paper packet to complete and return to HACSM
  • Applicants can be scheduled an in-person appointment to complete intake forms HACSM will require documentation that includes, but is not limited to:
    • Income verifications (paystubs, benefit award letters)
    • Bank statements
    • Vital documents (driver license or ID, Social Security cards, birth certificates)

HACSM may need to send third-party verifications and will continue to communicate with applicants to get the intake application complete and ready for calculation.

Once HACSM has all the required and necessary documentation, HACSM will determine if the application can be approved and calculate the assistance amount.

Application Approval

HACSM will notify applicants who have been determined eligible for assistance. The notification is generally an appointment to attend a voucher briefing. Voucher briefings may occur virtually (Zoom or Teams), by phone, or in person.

At the voucher briefing, applicants will learn their obligations under the program and will receive the Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) packet. Once the RFTA is received, new voucher holders can begin searching for their new home.

Denial of Assistance

If an applicant is denied, it’s often due to being over the program income limits or for being non-compliant with some part of the eligibility process. Applicants will receive a letter advising them of the denial and rights for informal review.