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 organizations like Austin Tenants Union and Community First! Village. The city itself manages the most direct programs: the Affordable Housing Incentives program, which offers tax breaks to developers who build below-market units; the Community Land Trust, which removes land costs from the purchase price; and rental information through the Austin Rental information Program. None of these are single offices you walk into — each has its own intake process and timeline.

The fastest way to find what's currently available is to start with the City of Austin's Housing and Community Development page, which lists active programs and their current status. Many programs open and close based on funding, so calling ahead to confirm a program is accepting new participants saves a wasted trip. The Austin Housing Finance Corporation maintains a searchable database of affordable rental properties currently leasing, updated regularly but not in real time.

Key Takeaways

  • Austin offers affordable rentals through the Austin Housing Finance Corporation database and through nonprofits like Community First! Village, each with different income limits and lease terms.
  • The Community Land Trust removes the land cost from home purchases, making ownership possible for households earning 60 to 80 percent of the area median income, though the waiting list is long.
  • Rental information through the Austin Rental information Program covers current or past-due rent for households below 80 percent of area median income, but funds run out and reopen seasonally.
  • Income limits vary by program and family size, so you need to know your household's gross annual income before contacting any program.
  • Most programs require proof of income, a valid ID, and proof of Austin residency or intent to move to Austin.

Affordable rental housing through the city and nonprofits

The Austin Housing Finance Corporation maintains a list of affordable rental properties — apartments and townhomes — where rents are set below market rate. These properties are scattered across Austin rather than concentrated in one area. To search them, you visit the Austin Housing Finance Corporation website, filter by neighborhood and bedroom count, and contact the property directly. Rents are typically 30 to 60 percent of what market-rate units in the same area cost, but income limits explore: most require household income between 30 and 80 percent of the area median income, which varies by family size.

Community First! Village operates a mixed-income community on the east side of Austin offering both rental and for-sale homes. The organization prioritizes people experiencing homelessness or at risk of it, but also accepts working families. Lease terms are typically longer than market-rate apartments, and the community includes support services on-site. The waiting list is substantial, and the process process includes a community interview.

Nonprofits like Austin Tenants Union and the Austin Tenants Advocates also maintain lists of affordable units and can point you toward landlords known to work with lower-income renters. These organizations do not manage the properties themselves but act as connectors and advocates.

How the Community Land Trust works for home buyers

The Community Land Trust is a nonprofit that buys land in Austin, holds it permanently, and sells homes built on that land to buyers who could not otherwise afford to purchase. You buy the house but lease the land from the trust for a long-term, renewable lease — typically 99 years. This structure removes the land cost (often 20 to 40 percent of a home's price in Austin) from what you have to finance, making the monthly payment much lower than a traditional mortgage on the same house.

Income limits for Community Land Trust purchases are typically 60 to 80 percent of area median income. You still need a down payment — usually 3 to 5 percent — and you must may have access to for a mortgage from a lender, but the lower purchase price makes qualification easier. The trade-off is that when you sell, the price is restricted to keep it affordable for the next buyer, so you do not capture the full appreciation a traditional owner would. The waiting list is long; some buyers wait 18 months to two years from process to closing.

To start, contact the Community Land Trust directly. They will confirm your income, explain the lease structure, and add you to the waiting list if you meet the criteria. You do not need to have a specific property in mind — the trust will notify you when a home matching your needs becomes available.

Rental information when you are behind on rent

The Austin Rental information Program provides funds to pay landlords directly when renters fall behind. The program covers rent you already owe (arrears) rather than future rent, and it requires proof that your hardship is recent — typically within the last 60 to 90 days. You must have a signed lease and live in Austin or be moving to Austin. Income must be at or below 80 percent of area median income.

The process process requires your lease, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), a photo ID, and proof of residency. You also need your landlord's contact information and bank details so the program can pay them directly. Processing typically takes two to four weeks, though it can be longer if the program is backlogged.

Funds are not unlimited. The program opens with a set budget each fiscal year and closes when that budget is exhausted. You can check the current status on the City of Austin website. If the program is closed, you can still submit an process and be placed on a waiting list for when funds reopen, which usually happens in the fall.

Income limits and how they are calculated

Every affordable housing program in Austin uses area median income (AMI) to set income limits. AMI is the middle income for a family of four in the Austin metropolitan area, recalculated each year by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In 2024, AMI for a family of four was approximately $105,000, but this figure changes annually and varies by family size.

Programs typically set limits at 30, 50, 60, or 80 percent of AMI. A program with an 80 percent AMI limit, for example, would accept a family of four earning up to about $84,000 per year. Your household income is your gross annual income — before taxes — and includes wages, self-employment income, Social Security, disability payments, and child support. It does not include one-time payments like tax refunds or insurance settlements.

Because AMI changes yearly and varies by family size, you need to check the current limits for each program you are considering. The City of Austin Housing and Community Development page lists current limits, or you can call the program directly and give them your household size and income.

What documents you need to have ready

Most Austin affordable housing programs require the same core documents. Have these ready before you contact any program: a government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport), proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns from the last two years, or a letter from your employer on letterhead stating your position and salary), and proof of Austin residency or a lease showing you are moving to Austin. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns and business license documentation.

For rental information specifically, you also need your current lease and your landlord's name, address, phone number, and bank account information. For Community Land Trust or purchase programs, you need proof of income for the past two years and documentation of any debts (credit report or list of monthly obligations). Having these documents scanned or photographed on your phone speeds up the process process.

Waiting lists and timelines for each program type

Waiting times vary dramatically by program. Rental information through the city typically processes in two to four weeks if funds are available and your process is complete. The Community Land Trust has a waiting list that can stretch 18 months or longer, depending on how many homes become available and how many applicants are ahead of you. Affordable rental properties through the Austin Housing Finance Corporation database have no centralized waiting list — you explore directly to each property, and most have their own waiting lists ranging from a few weeks to several months.

Nonprofits like Community First! Village also maintain waiting lists, typically three to six months. The key is to explore to multiple programs at once if you are looking for housing, rather than waiting to hear back from one before explore to others. Programs do not penalize you for explore elsewhere, and the sooner you get on multiple lists, the sooner something may open up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as proof of income if I am unemployed or between jobs?

Most programs will accept unemployment benefits statements, disability or Social Security documentation, or a letter from a job offer stating your start date and salary. If you have no income at all, some programs still work with you if you have a co-signer or if you are in a transitional housing situation. Call the program directly with your specific situation.

Can I be on the waiting list for multiple programs at the same time?

Yes. There is no penalty for explore to the Community Land Trust, the Austin Housing Finance Corporation properties, and rental information simultaneously. In fact, doing so increases your chances of finding housing sooner. Each program tracks its own waiting list independently.

Do I have to live in Austin already to explore for affordable housing?

Most programs accept applicants who are moving to Austin, but you typically need to show intent — a job offer letter, a lease signed for a future date, or enrollment in a school. Some programs require you to move within a specific timeframe after being selected. Check with each program about their residency requirements.

What happens if my income goes up after I move into an affordable unit?

Most programs allow your income to rise without when ready eviction, but they recalculate your rent annually. If your income exceeds the program's limit by a certain percentage (often 20 percent), your rent may increase or you may be asked to move. The exact rules depend on the program and your lease. Ask about income recertification policies before signing.

Are there programs for people who have experienced homelessness?

Yes. Community First! Village prioritizes people with a history of homelessness, and the city's rental information program does not disqualify you based on housing history. Some nonprofits also offer rapid rehousing programs that combine rental information with case management. Contact the Austin Housing Finance Corporation or Community First! Village directly about programs for people transitioning from homelessness.