What affordable housing actually means in Dallas
Affordable housing in Dallas means rent or a mortgage payment that does not exceed 30 percent of your gross monthly income. A household earning $40,000 per year would spend no more than $1,000 per month on housing under this standard. Dallas has a mix of programs that work toward this goal: public housing managed by the Dallas Housing Authority, vouchers that subsidize private rentals, and deed-restricted apartments built with tax credits where the owner agrees to keep rents low for a set period.
The reality is that Dallas has a shortage of units at the lowest income levels. The Dallas Housing Authority maintains a waitlist for public housing and vouchers that can stretch years long. Private affordable units built through tax credit programs fill faster than they open. Understanding which program fits your situation — and which ones are currently taking new residents — matters more than knowing every option that exists.
Key Takeaways
- The Dallas Housing Authority runs public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers, but both have long waitlists that you can join by visiting their office or calling their intake line.
- Tax credit apartments are privately owned but built with government money in exchange for keeping rents low; you find these through NeighborhoodLift or by calling 211 Dallas.
- Income limits vary by program and by family size, and they change yearly — your income must be verified with recent pay stubs or tax returns.
- Dallas also runs a down payment information program for first-time homebuyers through the Office of Housing and Homelessness, but it has its own income and credit requirements.
- The fastest way to learn what you may be able to access is to call 211 Dallas, which connects you to local programs without requiring you to contact each one separately.
Dallas Housing Authority programs and waitlists
The Dallas Housing Authority (DHA) runs two main programs: public housing (apartments DHA owns directly) and Housing Choice Vouchers (subsidies you use at a private landlord's property). Both have income limits based on area median income. For a family of four in Dallas, the income limit for public housing is roughly $48,000 to $52,000 annually, though this shifts each year. Voucher income limits are similar but vary slightly.
To join either waitlist, visit the DHA office at 1707 N. Westmoreland Road, Dallas, TX 75211, or call 214-320-3500 during business hours. You will need a photo ID and proof of income. The waitlist for public housing is currently closed to new applicants, but the voucher waitlist opens periodically. When it opens, DHA accepts applications for a limited window — sometimes a few weeks — then closes again. Call ahead to confirm whether applications are being taken.
Wait times for both programs are measured in years, not months. Families with children, elderly residents, and people with disabilities may move up the list faster. Once you are on the waitlist, DHA will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available. You do not need to reapply or check in repeatedly; DHA maintains the list and reaches out when your turn comes.
Tax credit apartments and how to find them
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) apartments are the largest source of new affordable units in Dallas. Private developers build or renovate these properties using federal tax credits in exchange for keeping rents low for 30 years. Rents are set based on area median income — typically 50 to 60 percent of AMI — which means a one-bedroom might rent for $700 to $900 depending on the property and year.
These apartments are not run by one agency. Each property has its own landlord and leasing office. To find them, contact NeighborhoodLift at 214-823-2000 or visit their website; they maintain a searchable database of tax credit properties in Dallas with current availability and income limits. You can also call 211 Dallas (dial 2-1-1 from any phone) and ask for tax credit apartments in your area. Both services are free and do not charge to help you search.
Income limits for tax credit apartments vary by property and are set when the building opens. A family of four might have a limit of $35,000 to $45,000 annually, depending on the specific property. You will need recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer to prove income. Some properties prioritize people experiencing homelessness or those referred by social service agencies, so ask when you call whether the property has preferences.
Down payment and homeownership programs
The City of Dallas Office of Housing and Homelessness runs a down payment information program for first-time homebuyers. The program provides grants or forgivable loans to cover down payment and closing costs, which can range from $10,000 to $50,000 depending on the property price and your income. You must be a first-time homebuyer (or have not owned a home in the past three years), live in Dallas, and meet income limits that vary by family size — typically 80 percent of area median income or below.
To learn about current programs and income limits, contact the Office of Housing and Homelessness at 214-671-0353 or visit their website. They will ask about your income, credit score, and whether you have received homebuyer counseling. Most programs require you to complete a homebuyer education course before you can receive funds. The process typically takes two to four months from process to closing.
This program is different from affordable housing rentals because you are building equity in a home you own. However, the monthly mortgage payment still needs to fit within the 30 percent income standard, and you will have property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs on top of the mortgage.
Income limits and how they are verified
Every affordable housing program in Dallas uses income limits to determine who can participate. These limits are set as a percentage of area median income (AMI), which is calculated yearly by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A program might serve households at 50 percent AMI, 60 percent AMI, or 80 percent AMI. The higher the percentage, the higher your income can be.
For Dallas in 2024, 80 percent AMI for a family of four is approximately $64,000 annually. A program serving 60 percent AMI would have a limit around $48,000. These figures change each year, so always ask the specific program what the current limit is. Income limits also vary by family size — a single person has a lower limit than a family of four.
To verify your income, programs ask for recent documents: two months of recent pay stubs, last year's tax return, or a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your annual salary. If you are self-employed, you will need two years of tax returns. If you receive benefits, bring documentation from the benefit program. Bring originals or certified copies; programs do not accept photos or screenshots.
How to start: 211 Dallas and the Dallas Housing Authority
The fastest first step is to call 211 Dallas by dialing 2-1-1 from any phone. You will reach a counselor who can tell you which programs you may be able to access based on your income and family size. They can refer you directly to tax credit apartments with current openings, tell you whether DHA waitlists are open, and connect you to other resources like emergency rental help or utility information if you need it. The call is free and confidential.
If you want to explore for DHA public housing or vouchers, contact the Dallas Housing Authority directly at 214-320-3500 or visit their office. Ask whether the waitlist is currently open. If it is, bring your photo ID and proof of income, and you can join the same day. If it is closed, ask when it typically reopens and whether you can call back to check.
For down payment information or other city programs, contact the Office of Housing and Homelessness at 214-671-0353. They can walk you through income requirements and next steps. Keep in mind that many programs have limited funding and may close to new applicants when money runs out, so calling to confirm availability before you gather documents saves time.
What happens after you are approved
If you are approved for a DHA voucher, you will receive a voucher document that you can use at any private landlord who accepts vouchers. The voucher covers a portion of the rent; you pay the difference. You have a set amount of time (usually 120 days) to find a landlord and a unit that meets program standards. DHA will inspect the unit to make sure it is safe and meets housing codes before the voucher can be used.
If you are approved for a tax credit apartment, you sign a lease directly with that property's landlord. Your rent is set by the property and does not change based on your income — everyone in the building pays the same rent for the same unit size. You will pay utilities unless they are included in the lease.
If you receive down payment information, the city or lender will disburse funds at closing. You will own the home and be responsible for the mortgage, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. Some programs have restrictions on how long you must live in the home or what you can do with it if you sell; ask about these before you sign.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a Dallas resident to use these programs?
Yes. DHA requires you to live in Dallas. Tax credit apartments may accept people from outside Dallas, but most prioritize Dallas residents. Down payment information requires you to live in Dallas and purchase a home in Dallas. Call the specific program to confirm residency rules.
What if my income is above the limit?
You will not be able to use that program. Some programs have multiple income tiers — a property might have units for 50 percent AMI households and other units for 60 percent AMI households. Ask whether the property or program has options at a higher income level, or ask 211 Dallas about programs with higher limits.
How long does it take to get approved?
Tax credit apartments typically take one to two weeks if you have all documents ready. DHA vouchers take longer because you are on a waitlist — approval happens when a voucher becomes available, which can be months or years. Down payment information takes two to four months from process to closing.
Can I explore to multiple programs at the same time?
Yes. You can join the DHA waitlist, explore to tax credit apartments, and pursue down payment information simultaneously. There is no rule against using multiple programs, though you can only live in one place at a time. explore to several programs increases your chances of finding housing sooner.
What if I have bad credit or an eviction on my record?
DHA does not run credit checks for public housing or vouchers. Tax credit apartments vary — some check credit, others do not. Down payment information programs do check credit and typically require a score of 580 or higher. Ask each program about their specific requirements before you explore.