Section 8 Program Eligibility

Meet Immigration or Citizen Requirements 

Section 8 assistance is available only to U.S. citizens, non-citizens with legal immigration status, and "mixed families" (families in which at least one, but not all members have eligible immigration status). Assistance to mixed families will be prorated. The same program rules and regulations for determining eligibility status for Section 8 rental assistance apply to everyone.

Income Limits

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is required by law to set income limits that determine the eligibility of applicants for HUD’s assisted housing programs, including the rental assistance programs administered by the City of Torrance PHA.  To be eligible, the household must be either a family or a single person whose income does not exceed the area income limits as set by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

2025 Income Limit

Household Size      1              2              3              4               5               6               7                 8
Annual Income  $53,000   $60,600   $68,150   $75,750   $81,800   $87,850   $93,900   $100,000 

Subsidy Standards

The PHA will assign one bedroom for each two persons within the household, except in the following circumstances:

• Live-in aides will be allocated a separate bedroom.
• Single person families that are neither elderly nor disabled will be allocated a zero bedroom.
• Due to reasonable accommodation.

Voucher Size Persons in Household

0 Bedroom 1 (not elderly or disabled) person
1 Bedroom 1-2 people
2 Bedroom 3-4 people
3 Bedroom 5-6 people 
4 Bedroom 7-8 people 
5 Bedroom 9-10 people

Jurisdiction

There are a number of criteria that a dwelling unit must meet in order to be eligible for assistance under the voucher program. Generally, a voucher-holder family may choose any available rental dwelling unit on the market in the PHA’s jurisdiction.

Map of Torrance(PDF, 2MB)

Payment Standards 

In the Section 8 Rental Assistance Programs, the payment standards are used in the calculation of the housing assistance payment (HAP) that the PHA pays to the owner on behalf of the family leasing the unit.

The Payment Standard is the maximum amount of assistance a family can receive and is based on the region's fair market rent and funding from HUD. This is not the maximum rent that can be charged by landlords.

Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) & 

Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)

Fair Market Rate (SAFMR) Payment Standards (Effective 1/1/2026)

The PHA will implement Small Area Fair Market Rate (SAFMR) as required by HUD. Please see below payment standards based on unit zip code. 

Zipcode     0            1            2            3           4 
90501   $1,840   $2,096   $2,666   $3,465   $3,804 
90503   $2,034   $2,277   $2,844   $3,609   $4,014 
90504   $1,944   $2,178   $2,727   $3,465   $3,843 
90505   $2,007   $2,241   $2,799   $3,546   $3,951 
90277   $2,277   $2,547   $3,177   $4,032   $4,482 
90278   $2,007   $2,241   $2,817   $3,582   $3,969 
90717   $1,840   $2,096   $2,666   $3,465   $3,804 

Payment Standards Map