Where affordable apartments in Fort Worth are listed and how to search them

Affordable apartments in Fort Worth are not listed in one place. You will need to check multiple sources: the Fort Worth Housing Authority website for public housing and Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waitlists; local property management companies that accept vouchers; nonprofit housing organizations like Community Development Corporation of Tarrant County and Habitat for Humanity North Texas; and general rental sites like Zillow, Apartments.com, and Craigslist filtered by price and neighborhood.

The fastest route depends on your income and whether you have a voucher. If you earn below 80% of the area median income (roughly $52,000 for a single person in Tarrant County, though this changes yearly), you may be on or able to join a public housing waitlist. If you already hold a Section 8 voucher, search landlords who accept them—the Housing Authority maintains a list of participating properties. If you are paying market rent and looking to reduce costs, search by neighborhood: South Fort Worth, East Fort Worth, and areas near the stockyards tend to have lower rents than central or west Fort Worth.

Key Takeaways

  • The Fort Worth Housing Authority runs public housing and Section 8 voucher programs, and both have waitlists that can take months or years to reach.
  • Nonprofit organizations like Community Development Corporation of Tarrant County and Habitat for Humanity offer affordable units and can move faster than public housing.
  • If you have a Section 8 voucher, you can rent from any landlord who accepts it; the Housing Authority website lists participating properties by neighborhood.
  • Rental information programs through Tarrant County and the City of Fort Worth may help pay deposits or back rent if you are behind or at risk of eviction.
  • Income limits and rent caps vary by program, so you will need to check each one separately rather than assuming one program covers all your options.

Public housing and Section 8 vouchers through the Fort Worth Housing Authority

The Fort Worth Housing Authority manages two main programs: public housing (apartments owned and operated by the Authority) and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), which pay a portion of your rent at a private landlord's property. Both programs require you to be on a waitlist, and both have income limits. For public housing, your household income must be at or below 80% of the area median income. For Section 8 vouchers, the limit is the same, though some preferences explore to people experiencing homelessness or with disabilities.

Waitlists are not always open. The Fort Worth Housing Authority closes its public housing waitlist when it reaches capacity and reopens it periodically. You can call them at (817) 871-7777 or visit their office at 1001 E. Anderson Avenue to ask whether the list is open. If it is closed, ask when it typically reopens—this varies by year. The Section 8 waitlist operates the same way. Once you are on a waitlist, you will wait anywhere from six months to several years depending on the program and your household type (families with children and people with disabilities sometimes move faster).

If you are approved for public housing, you will be assigned to an available unit in one of the Authority's properties. You do not choose the location. If you are approved for a Section 8 voucher, you have more control: you can search for any rental property whose landlord accepts vouchers, and the voucher pays a portion of the rent (usually 30% of your income) while you pay the rest. The landlord receives the voucher payment directly from the Housing Authority.

Nonprofit housing organizations and community development programs

Community Development Corporation of Tarrant County (CDCTC) develops and manages affordable rental apartments throughout Fort Worth and surrounding areas. They own roughly 1,000 units and rent to households earning 30% to 80% of area median income. CDCTC properties are scattered across the city; you can search available units on their website or call (817) 335-3206. Rent is typically $400 to $800 depending on unit size and location, though prices have risen in recent years.

Habitat for Humanity North Texas builds and rehabilitates homes for purchase, not rental, but they also operate rental programs in some cases. Contact them at (817) 336-4242 to ask about rental options in your area. Other nonprofits that manage affordable units include Tarrant County Housing information Program and local church-based housing ministries; a 211 call (dial 2-1-1 from any phone) will connect you to current programs and their waitlists.

Nonprofit waitlists are often shorter than public housing waitlists, and some nonprofits move faster because they have smaller portfolios. However, nonprofit units are limited, and not all nonprofits serve all neighborhoods. Start by calling CDCTC and asking about current openings and waitlist status; if they have no when ready availability, ask them to refer you to other organizations in your area.

Rental information and deposit help if you are behind or at risk

If you are behind on rent or facing eviction, Tarrant County Emergency Rental information and the City of Fort Worth Rental information Program may pay your landlord directly. These programs cover back rent (arrears) and sometimes future rent, and they move faster than housing programs because they are designed for when ready crisis. To reach the county program, call (817) 884-1400 or visit the Tarrant County website. The city program is administered through the Fort Worth Housing Authority; call (817) 871-7777 to ask about current availability.

Both programs require proof of income, a signed lease, and documentation of the hardship (such as a job loss letter or medical bill). Processing typically takes two to six weeks. If you are not yet behind but cannot afford a deposit on a new apartment, some nonprofits and the Housing Authority offer deposit information. Ask when you call about rental units whether deposit help is available.

Searching by neighborhood and understanding rent ranges

Fort Worth neighborhoods vary significantly in rent. South Fort Worth (areas like Polytechnic Heights, Morningside, and Southside) and East Fort Worth (near the stockyards and beyond) generally have lower rents than central or west Fort Worth. A one-bedroom apartment in South or East Fort Worth may rent for $700 to $950, while the same unit in central or west Fort Worth could be $1,000 to $1,400. If you are searching on Zillow or Apartments.com, filter by neighborhood and price to narrow your search.

Keep in mind that lower-rent areas may have longer commutes to jobs or services, and some neighborhoods have fewer public transportation options. Before committing to a neighborhood, check the bus routes (DART Fort Worth operates the city bus system) and estimate your commute time. Also verify that the landlord accepts Section 8 if you have a voucher; not all landlords do, and some require additional paperwork or inspections.

What documents you will need to rent an apartment

Most landlords in Fort Worth require the same documents regardless of whether you are paying market rent or using a voucher. You will need a photo ID, proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), and proof of residency or a reference from a previous landlord. If you are using a Section 8 voucher, you will also need the voucher itself and authorization from the Fort Worth Housing Authority to show the landlord.

If you have an eviction on your record, some landlords will refuse to rent to you. Others will rent if you can show proof that you have paid the debt or that the case was dismissed. Ask the landlord directly whether they consider eviction history, and if they do, ask what proof they need. Some nonprofits and public housing programs are more flexible about eviction history than private landlords.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Section 8 voucher in Fort Worth?

The Fort Worth Housing Authority's Section 8 waitlist typically has a wait of six months to two years, depending on your household type and the current demand. Families with children and people with disabilities may move faster. Call (817) 871-7777 to ask your estimated position on the list.

Can I use a Section 8 voucher at any apartment in Fort Worth?

No. The landlord must accept Section 8 vouchers, and not all do. The Fort Worth Housing Authority maintains a list of participating landlords and properties on their website. You can also search by neighborhood to see which properties accept vouchers, or ask a landlord directly whether they participate in the program.

What if I have bad credit or an eviction on my record?

Public housing and nonprofit programs are often more flexible about credit and eviction history than private landlords. The Fort Worth Housing Authority and CDCTC consider your current situation rather than just your past. Private landlords vary; some will rent if you pay a higher deposit or provide a co-signer. Ask directly and be honest about your history.

Are there apartments in Fort Worth under $700 a month?

Yes, but they are limited and usually in South or East Fort Worth. Most are managed by nonprofits like CDCTC or available through public housing. Market-rate apartments below $700 are rare. Start by contacting CDCTC and the Fort Worth Housing Authority to learn about current units in your price range.

What should I do if I cannot afford rent right now?

Contact Tarrant County Emergency Rental information at (817) 884-1400 or the Fort Worth Housing Authority at (817) 871-7777 to ask about rental information. If you are not yet behind, ask about deposit help or move-in information. If you are behind, these programs can pay your landlord directly and may prevent eviction.