Can they turn me down for a housing voucher in San Francisco?
No. Vouchers count as income.
Turning you down for a voucher is illegal.
Why, and the exact law
From the California Legislature, read Oct 1, 2026.Show the law
“For the owner of any housing accommodation to discriminate against or harass any person because of the race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income, disability, veteran or military status, or genetic information of that person …”
State law applies here too. Where both cover a rental, the stricter city rule usually wins; each rule below says so.
California lawIn force
FEHA source-of-income discrimination ban (incl. Section 8 vouchers)
Can they turn me down for a housing voucher?
No. Vouchers count as income.
Turning you down for a voucher is illegal.
Who it covers
Exemptions: Owner occupying a home and renting to one additional person; senior housing.
In force since
Jan 1, 2020
Current version since
Jan 1, 2024
The law, word for word
“For the owner of any housing accommodation to discriminate against or harass any person because of the race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income, disability, veteran or military status, or genetic information of that person …”