Where Austin's Affordable Housing Programs Are Located

Austin's affordable housing programs are run by the City of Austin Housing and Planning Department, the Austin Housing Finance Corporation, and nonprofit developers scattered across the city. You do not explore to one central office — instead, you look for specific properties or programs in the neighborhoods where you want to live, then contact the landlord or property manager directly.

The City of Austin maintains a searchable database called the Affordable Housing Inventory on its website that lists properties with deed restrictions requiring below-market rents. You can filter by neighborhood, number of bedrooms, and income limit. Many properties are managed by nonprofits like Austin Tenants Advocates, Habitat for Humanity Austin, and Caritas of Austin, each with their own waiting lists and process processes.

Austin also has a Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) run by the Austin Housing Authority. This program gives you a voucher to use at any landlord who accepts it, rather than tying you to a specific property. The waiting list is currently closed, but you can request to be notified when it reopens.

Key Takeaways

  • Austin's affordable housing is scattered across many nonprofit and city-managed properties, not centralized in one process system.
  • The City's Affordable Housing Inventory database lets you search by neighborhood and income level to find specific properties taking applications.
  • Income limits vary by property and program, typically ranging from 30 to 80 percent of Austin's area median income depending on the funding source.
  • The Housing Choice Voucher waiting list is currently closed, but you can request notification when applications reopen.
  • Most affordable properties require proof of income, a background check, and rental history before you move in.

Income Limits and What They Mean for Your Rent

Austin's affordable housing programs use area median income (AMI) to set who can live where. AMI is calculated annually and changes based on family size. A property restricted to 60 percent AMI means your household income cannot exceed 60 percent of what the median family in the Austin area earns.

Income limits vary widely by property. Some properties funded through the City's Affordable Housing Program serve households at 30 to 50 percent AMI — these are the deepest affordability levels and serve the lowest-income renters. Others go up to 80 percent AMI. You need to check each property's specific limit before you explore, because exceeding it will disqualify you.

Rent at these properties is typically set at 30 percent of your gross monthly income, which is lower than market rate. If you earn $2,000 per month and the property is restricted to 60 percent AMI, your rent would be around $600 per month instead of the $1,200 to $1,500 you might pay for a comparable apartment on the open market.

How to Search for Available Units

Start with the City of Austin's Affordable Housing Inventory at austintexas.gov. Enter your desired neighborhood, number of bedrooms, and income level. The database shows properties with available units, the nonprofit or agency managing them, and a contact phone number. Call the property manager directly — they will tell you if they are currently taking applications and what documents you need.

You can also contact Austin Tenants Advocates at 512-474-1961 or visit their office to ask about properties in specific neighborhoods. They maintain their own list and can point you toward programs you might not find online. The Austin Housing Authority at 512-457-7800 can tell you about Housing Choice Vouchers and other city-run programs.

Nonprofit developers like Habitat for Humanity Austin and Caritas of Austin manage their own properties and maintain separate waiting lists. You explore directly to each organization. Some properties fill quickly, so calling as soon as you see a listing is important — do not wait weeks to inquire.

Documents You Will Need to Provide

Every affordable housing property requires proof of income, identity, and rental history. Bring originals or certified copies to your process appointment. The exact list varies by property, but expect to provide:

  • Two recent pay stubs (usually from the last 30 days) or a letter from your employer stating your salary.
  • Last two years of tax returns if you are self-employed.
  • A government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport.
  • Social Security card or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) documentation.
  • References from previous landlords covering the last three years of rental history.
  • Proof of citizenship or legal residency (green card, visa, or work authorization).
  • Bank statements or proof of savings if you have assets above a certain threshold (limits vary by program).

If you are unemployed, bring documentation of unemployment benefits, disability payments, or other income sources. If you have no rental history, a letter from a previous employer or personal reference may substitute. Ask the property manager what they will accept before your appointment so you do not make a wasted trip.

Background Checks and What Can Disqualify You

All affordable housing properties run background checks covering criminal history, eviction records, and credit. The standards vary by property and funding source, but most programs will not disqualify you for a single past mistake. What matters is the pattern and how recent the issue is.

Evictions within the last three to five years are the most common reason for denial. If you have an eviction on your record, some properties will still consider you if you can explain what happened and show you have paid any judgment. Bring documentation of payment if you settled an eviction case.

Felony convictions related to drugs or violence may disqualify you from federally funded properties, but this varies. Some nonprofit-run properties have more flexible policies. Ask the property manager directly about their background policy before you explore — do not assume you are automatically disqualified.

Credit scores are checked but are usually not a hard cutoff. Late payments, collections, or bankruptcy will be noted, but most programs understand that low-income renters often have credit damage. The property manager is looking for evidence that you pay rent on time, not a perfect credit score.

Timeline From process to Move-In

The process typically takes four to eight weeks from the day you submit your process to the day you receive a lease. Here is the usual order: you submit your process and documents, the property manager verifies your income and runs your background check (one to two weeks), you are notified of approval or denial, you sign a lease, and you move in.

Some properties move faster if they have urgent vacancies. Others have waiting lists and may not contact you for several months. Call the property manager after two weeks to confirm they received your process and ask for a timeline. Do not assume silence means rejection.

If you are approved, you will typically have 30 days to move in. The property will give you a move-in date and tell you when to pay the deposit and first month's rent. Deposits at affordable properties are usually the same as market-rate apartments — one month's rent — but some programs cap deposits at a lower amount.

Other Austin Programs: Down Payment Help and Homeownership

If you want to buy instead of rent, the City of Austin offers down payment information through the Homebuyer information Program

The Austin Housing Finance Corporation also administers the Community Land Trust, which owns land and leases it to homeowners at a reduced cost. You own the house but lease the land, which keeps the purchase price permanently affordable. This is a smaller program with limited inventory, but it is worth asking about if you are interested in homeownership.

Both programs have income limits and require you to live in the home as your primary residence. Contact the City of Austin Housing and Planning Department at 512-974-3000 to ask about current programs and whether you meet the income requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Many affordable housing properties will still consider you if the issue is older than three to five years or if you can explain what happened. Call the property manager and ask about their specific policy before you explore. Bring documentation showing you have paid any judgment or settled the case.

Can I use a Housing Choice Voucher at any apartment in Austin?

No. Your voucher only works at properties whose landlords have agreed to accept it. The Austin Housing Authority maintains a list of participating properties. Landlords can refuse to participate, so your options may be limited depending on the neighborhood you want.

How much will I pay in rent at an affordable housing property?

Rent is typically set at 30 percent of your gross monthly income. If you earn $2,000 per month, you would pay around $600. The exact amount depends on the property's income limit and the rent level set by the program funding it.

What happens if my income increases after I move in?

Most affordable properties recertify income annually. If your income rises above the property's limit, you may be asked to move or your rent may increase. Some programs allow you to stay at the same rent for a transition period. Ask the property manager about their income recertification policy.

Is there a waiting list for affordable housing in Austin?

Each property maintains its own waiting list. Some have short lists and move quickly; others have long waits. The City's Affordable Housing Inventory shows which properties are currently taking applications. Call to ask how long the wait is before you explore.