BUSD Workforce Housing Waitlist: Closed, Lottery and Leasing Next
The BUSD Workforce Housing waitlist application period for Catalyst in Berkeley is closed after the September 11, 2026 deadline. The 110-unit development at 1717 San Pablo Avenue is intended for households across 30% to 120% of Area Median Income, with the strongest preference going to Berkeley Unified School District employees. Applicants who submitted on time should now focus on lottery placement, leasing review, and any request for eligibility documents rather than trying to file a new lottery application.
The project website currently advertises one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments as leasing. That does not mean the original waitlist lottery has reopened, so people who missed the deadline should verify any new leasing route directly with property management.
Is the BUSD Workforce Housing waitlist still open?
No. The City of Berkeley's updated notice set the waitlist lottery deadline at 5:00 p.m. on September 11, 2026. That deadline has passed. The original BUSD Workforce Housing waitlist opening began in April and accepted applications for one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments.
For the original waitlist opening, the head of household had to be at least 18 years old or legally emancipated at the time of application.
For applicants who filed before the deadline, the important question is now what happens after the application stage. A lottery is used to order eligible applications, and the project will use that order together with its preference rules and household eligibility requirements.
Who gets preference at BUSD Workforce Housing?
BUSD Workforce Housing is not limited only to school district employees, but BUSD staff receive the highest lottery preference. The City of Berkeley describes the BUSD employee preference in this order:
- BUSD full-time employees experiencing homelessness.
- BUSD part-time employees experiencing homelessness.
- BUSD full-time employees.
- BUSD part-time employees.
Other applicants can still be considered. Additional lottery preferences may apply for historical BART displacement, displacement caused by foreclosure, displacement caused by eviction, residents of redlined neighborhoods, descendants of people from redlined neighborhoods, and households with children.
A preference changes selection priority but does not replace income, household, or documentation rules. As with other affordable housing lottery preferences, two eligible households can be ranked differently because one qualifies for a higher preference category.
How many apartments are in the Catalyst development?
The BUSD Workforce Housing development includes 110 affordable apartments for families. The City of Berkeley lists the unit mix as:
- 59 one-bedroom apartments.
- 26 two-bedroom apartments.
- 25 three-bedroom apartments.
The apartments serve a broad range of income levels rather than one single AMI tier. Units are set aside at 30%, 50%, 60%, 80%, and 120% AMI. Advertised monthly rents range from $899 to $3,283 depending on bedroom size and the income tier assigned to the unit.
Income eligibility ranges from 30% to 120% AMI
AMI means Area Median Income. The income ceiling depends on household size and the AMI tier attached to the apartment, so a household can qualify for one unit and not another. The site's explanation of how Area Median Income affects affordable housing eligibility explains that distinction.
The City gave examples showing the wide range of eligibility at Catalyst. For an individual, available units can cover annual income from about $21,576 up to $134,280. For a four-person household, the range can run from about $25,896 up to $127,840, depending on the unit and AMI level.
The project also uses a minimum-income standard tied to rent. The City states that applicants generally need to earn at least twice the monthly rent while also staying below the maximum income for the applicable unit. Applicants should therefore compare both sides of the eligibility test instead of looking only at the highest AMI limit. The distinction is explained more generally in minimum and maximum income rules for income-restricted housing.
Household size still matters after the lottery
Household income is only part of the review. Household size also affects bedroom eligibility and the income limits that apply. A favorable lottery number does not make a household eligible for every apartment.
Applicants comparing one-, two-, and three-bedroom options can review how household size affects affordable housing eligibility. The specific Catalyst application and leasing rules control the final unit match.
How the lottery and top 250 waiting list work
SAHA states that a lottery will be conducted for applications received by the deadline. All applicants are considered for leasing. The lottery order is not the same thing as a lease offer because preference status, household eligibility, unit size, income verification, and other screening can still affect the final outcome.
After all 110 units are leased, the continuing waiting list will be limited to the remaining top 250 applicants. Applicants who do not make that continuing list are expected to be notified and would need to apply again if the waitlist reopens in the future.
Applicants who want to understand the difference between a lottery number and final waiting-list position can review affordable housing lottery results and applicant rankings.
What applicants should prepare now
If you applied before the deadline, keep your application confirmation and current contact information. Property management may need to reach you quickly if documents are required.
- Keep copies of the application and submission confirmation.
- Watch email, voicemail, and regular mail for lottery or leasing notices.
- Prepare recent income records for every household member whose income must be counted.
- Organize asset records and identification documents that may be requested during certification.
- Keep evidence for any BUSD employment or other preference claimed on the application.
- Report address or telephone changes so management can still reach you.
A general affordable housing document checklist can help with preparation, but applicants should submit the exact records requested by SAHA or the leasing office.
Does a BUSD preference guarantee an apartment?
No. BUSD employment can improve an applicant's priority, especially for full-time or part-time employees experiencing homelessness, but preference is not final approval. The household must still satisfy the applicable income limits, household rules, documentation requirements, and leasing review for an available unit.
Can someone apply now if they missed September 11?
The September 11 waitlist lottery is closed. The project website now advertises leasing, so a person who missed the lottery should check the current property instructions before taking action. A general leasing advertisement should not be treated as proof that the original waitlist lottery has reopened.
What should existing applicants watch for next?
Applicants should watch for lottery information, eligibility requests, preference verification, and leasing communication. The most important practical step is to remain reachable and respond by any deadline given by property management. A place in the lottery or waitlist does not by itself guarantee a lease.
The BUSD Workforce Housing waitlist has moved beyond its September 11 application deadline, but the housing process is still active. For people who applied on time, the next phase is about lottery order, preference ranking, eligibility review, and leasing rather than submitting another application.