Conventional Low Income Housing:

Housing Authority of the County of Merced provides 549 units of HUD owned low income housing. The units, which include 98 single family homes are located throughout Merced County in the cities of Merced, Atwater, Livingston, South Dos Palos and Los Banos. The Housing Authority of the County of Merced utilizes a "Broad Base Rent" selection criteria to draw from the waiting list of prospective applicants. The waiting list for this program opens and closes depending on waiting list volumes. 

Homeownership:

The Housing Authority's Homeownership Program provides opportunity for down payment set aside and home buying assistance to low-income residents that would qualify under certain criteria. The homes are located in the Merced-Atwater area.

Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS):

The Housing Authority currently has approximately 300 Housing Choice Voucher families who are participating in the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program. Under the program, the family earns an escrow account that they receive after they fulfill their FSS contract of becoming economically independent. The Housing Authority employs an FSS Technician who assists families in achieving this goal.

Resident Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (ROSS):

The Housing Authority currently has approximately 200 Public Housing families who are participating in the ROSS Program. Under the program, the family earns an escrow account that they receive after they fulfill their FSS contract of becoming economically independent. The Housing Authority provides case management and goal setting assistance.

Afterschool:

The Housing Authority Resident Services Department located at the John O'Banion Learning Center offers opportunities for resident children to participate in a variety of Afterschool Programs and activities including 4-H, Club Live, and Friday Night Live.

O'Banion Learning Center:

Centrally located in an area of high unemployment and limited access to training programs, the center provides affordable office space to small businesses and non-profit organizations seeking to establish a foothold in South Merced. Residents and members of the wider community benefit by the presence of business, training and job opportunities promoting increased self-sufficiency. In addition to the Housing Authority's Resident Services Department Office and Afterschool Programs, operating within the center are a medical facility (Golden Valley Health Center), Child Development Center (Child Care), Merced County Office of Education (Adult Education), Merced County Library, and a Merced City Police Substation.

Valley View Homes:

Housing Authority of the County of Merced owns and manages 73 units of housing. There are two elderly housing complexes, one in the city of Dos Palos (25 units) the other in the city of Atwater (14 units). A third complex, located in the city of Dos Palos, is for family occupancy (34units). Applications for this program are received continuously, throughthe Housing Choice Voucher program. 

Migrant - Farm Labor Housing:

The Housing Authority of the County of Merced manages four migrant housing centers in the county. The newest center (constructed 2003) is the Merced site which provides 50 units. The other centers are located in Atwater, Livingston, and Planada with 62 units and Los Banos with 56 units. The Los Banos Center is currently closed for reconstruction. The centers are normally open for occupancy for a 6 month period generally between late April and November to cover the heart of the growing seasons. Eligibility for the centers is set by the State Office of Migrant Services (OMS) and U.S. Rural Development, some restrictions involving migratory status and income sources apply.

CHRP-R: