Finding Low-Income Apartments Near You

"Low-income housing" is an umbrella term for several different programs, and knowing which is which saves you a lot of wasted time. Unlike a Section 8 voucher that you carry to any apartment, many low-income units are tied to a specific building. Here's how to find them and apply.

The main types of income-restricted rentals

• LIHTC (Tax Credit) apartments. The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program is the biggest source of new affordable housing. Developers get tax credits in exchange for capping rents and limiting tenancy to households under certain income limits — typically 50% or 60% of the area median income.
• Project-based Section 8. Here the rental assistance is attached to the building, not the tenant. You generally pay about 30% of your income and the subsidy covers the rest, but only as long as you live there.
• Public housing. Owned and operated by a local housing authority, with rent based on your income.
• USDA Rural Development housing. Subsidized apartments in rural areas and small towns.

How income limits work

Each property sets a maximum income based on your household size and the median income where you live. The figures are updated every year. A unit advertised at "60% AMI" means your household income must be at or below 60% of the area median to qualify. Larger households are usually allowed higher limits.

How to search

1. Start with your location. Browse low-income apartments by state and city to see what exists near you.
2. Note the program type. A tax-credit building has different rules than a project-based Section 8 building. The listing or leasing office can tell you.
3. Ask about availability and waiting lists. Popular buildings keep their own waiting lists, separate from the housing authority's.
4. Apply to several at once. Just like vouchers, your odds improve when you have applications in at multiple properties.

What to look for when you apply

• The real monthly cost. Confirm whether rent is a fixed reduced amount (typical for tax-credit units) or income-based (typical for subsidized units).
• What's included. Ask which utilities are covered and whether there's a separate utility allowance.
• Screening criteria. Income minimums, credit and background checks, and rental history all vary by property.
• The waiting list status. Some buildings have immediate openings; others are years out.

Watch out for

Be wary of any "listing service" that charges a fee to show you affordable apartments — the listings themselves are public. And if you also hold a Section 8 voucher, you can use it at a private-market apartment too, which dramatically widens your options. Many families combine both approaches: they sit on building waiting lists while also searching with a voucher.

If you're behind on rent right now while you search, don't wait — look into emergency rent assistance programs that can keep you housed in the meantime.