Housing in Benicia

The City of Benicia acknowledges that having a place to call home is an undeniable need shared by everyone. It is the City’s intent to ensure adequate housing is available for everyone whether owned or rented. Several initiatives are underway to support the production and preservation of housing in Benicia. Please explore this page to learn more.

Affordable Housing

The Benicia Housing Authority provides safe, decent, and in good repair affordable housing for extremely low to moderate income families, seniors, and persons with disabilities in the City of Benicia. BHA administers numerous programs which are federally funded and/or state funded, including public housing, the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), and affordable housing.

More Information:

Benicia Housing Authority - visit beniciahousingauthority.org or call 707-745-2071
Housing Choice Voucher Fact Sheet

Fair Housing

Equal access to housing is a right guaranteed to everyone. “Fair Housing” means that property owners, landlords and their agents are prohibited from discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics such as gender, race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion.

Foreclosure Assistance

The City of Benicia does not currently have any available programs to assist with foreclosure avoidance or mortgage relief.

California Mortgage Relief Program: Qualifying households may be eligible for assistance with missed mortgage payments, late property taxes, loan deferrals, partial claims, or other homeowner financial hardships.

Avoiding Foreclosure

Homebuyer Assistance

The City of Benicia does not currently have any available programs to assist with the purchase of a home within the City. The State of California and federal government have the following programs available to assist with the purchase and finance of homes for qualified purchasers:

California Housing Finance Agency (Cal HFA) State and Federal programs that assist by making low interest loans available with smaller down payments.

California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) CalVet has established several programs to ensure that veterans and their families have housing options that fulfill their needs.

U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development State and Federal programs that assist by making low interest loans available with smaller down payments.

Learn more about Homebuying:

California Department of Real Estate: First Time Homebuyers
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Buying a Home

Individuals and Families in Need

Are you homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless, or are you in need of family resources or referrals for services, needs assistance, domestic violence or child abuse prevention? The following resources are available:

Resource Connect Solano provides access to housing and supportive services for people in Solano County who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. 707-652-7311 or rcs@caminar.org

Benicia Community Action Council coordinates and provides services and resources to economically disadvantaged individuals and families of Benicia. 707-745-0900

Benicia Family Resource Center focuses on providing information and referral services to families and children in Benicia. 707-746-4352

Resources for Tenants and Homeowners

Universal Design

Universal design focuses on making housing safe and accessible for everyone, regardless of age, physical ability, or stature. Employing universal design in new construction or remodeling can ensure that housing meets the needs of a wide range of functional abilities and preferences, and can provide additional safety or mobility assistance to those with mobility impairments or disabilities. Key principles of universal design include:

Equitable Use - The design can be used by a wide range of body sizes and abilities.
Personalization - The design is made for a wide range of individual preferences.
Simple and Intuitive - Any user can understand how to operate and use the design.
Awareness - The design communicates necessary information to the user, regardless of their surroundings or the user’s sensory abilities.
Wellness - The design protects the user from any possible danger.
Comfort - The design minimizes the amount of physical effort needed for use.
Sufficient Size and Space - The design accommodates different postures and mobility and provides enough space to use assistive devices or personal assistance.

How to learn more:

Residential Remodeling and Universal Design (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)

The UD Project

What is Universal Design? (National Association of Home Builders)

Universal Design Model Ordinance (California Department of Housing and Community Development)