Where San Antonio's affordable housing comes from
San Antonio has three main sources of below-market rent: public housing run by the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA), privately owned apartments subsidized through federal tax credits, and rental information programs that pay part of your rent directly. Public housing is the slowest route — waitlists run 18 months to three years — but the rent is lowest, usually 30 percent of your household income. Tax-credit apartments rent below market but above public housing, with waitlists of a few months to a year. Rental information programs move fastest if funds are open, sometimes placing you within weeks, but they cover only a portion of rent and are not permanent.
SAHA also administers Section 8 vouchers, which let you rent from any landlord who accepts the program. The voucher waitlist is currently closed, but you can request to be notified when it reopens. The city and Bexar County also run emergency rental information for people behind on rent, though these funds open and close based on available money.
Key Takeaways
- San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) runs public housing with the lowest rent but the longest waitlist, currently 18 months to three years.
- Tax-credit apartments are privately owned but subsidized, with moderate rent and shorter waitlists than public housing.
- Section 8 vouchers let you choose your landlord, but the waitlist is closed; you can request notification when it reopens.
- Emergency rental information covers part of your rent if you are behind, but funds are limited and open only when money is available.
- 211 San Antonio can tell you which programs have open waitlists and what documents you need to start.
How to get on a public housing waitlist with SAHA
Contact SAHA directly at 210-457-3000 or visit their office at 1 Majestic, San Antonio, TX 78209. You can also request a paper process by mail. You will need to provide proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), proof of residency in San Antonio (utility bill or lease), and a photo ID. If you have a criminal record, SAHA will review it — some convictions disqualify you, but many do not, and you can ask about your specific situation before completing the full process.
The process itself takes about 30 minutes. SAHA will tell you your place on the waitlist and roughly when to expect an offer. Once you are offered a unit, you have a limited time to accept or you go to the back of the line. Rent is calculated as 30 percent of your gross household income, with a minimum that varies by unit size.
Finding tax-credit apartments in San Antonio
Tax-credit apartments are scattered across the city and managed by different private companies. The easiest way to find them is through the National Housing Preservation Database at preservationdatabase.org — search San Antonio and filter by "Low-Income Housing Tax Credit." You can also call 211 San Antonio (dial 211 from any phone) and ask for a list of tax-credit properties currently accepting applications.
Each property has its own waitlist and process process. Some have no waitlist and move people in within weeks; others have a few months' wait. Income limits vary by property and family size, but most serve households earning 50 to 60 percent of the area median income. Bring the same documents you would need for SAHA: proof of income, proof of residency, and ID. Rent is usually 20 to 25 percent of your income, though some properties charge flat rates.
Properties often have community rooms, on-site services, or partnerships with nonprofits that offer job training or childcare. Ask what is included when you call.
Section 8 vouchers and when the waitlist reopens
A Section 8 voucher pays a portion of your rent to any landlord in San Antonio who accepts the program. You choose where to live, and the voucher covers the difference between 30 percent of your income and the fair market rent for that unit. SAHA administers the program locally.
The Section 8 waitlist is currently closed. You can call SAHA at 210-457-3000 and ask to be added to the notification list so you receive an email or letter when applications reopen. When the list does open, it usually stays open for only a few weeks, so sign up for notification now if you are interested. Once you receive a voucher, you have 120 days to find a landlord and move in.
Emergency rental information if you are behind on rent
The City of San Antonio and Bexar County both run emergency rental information programs that pay landlords directly for rent you already owe. These programs move faster than public housing — sometimes within two to four weeks — but they are temporary and only cover arrears, not future rent.
To learn about funds are currently open, call 211 San Antonio or visit the city's website at sanantonio.gov and search "emergency rental information." You will need a signed lease, proof of income, and proof that you fell behind due to a recent hardship (job loss, medical emergency, reduced hours). The programs prioritize people with active eviction cases.
If you are approved, the program pays your landlord directly. You do not receive the money. The amount covered depends on available funds and the size of your arrears, but most programs cover up to three to six months of back rent.
Income limits and what you need to bring
| Program | Income Limit (approximate) | Documents Needed | Waitlist Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAHA Public Housing | 30–60% AMI | Pay stubs, tax return, utility bill, ID | 18 months–3 years |
| Tax-Credit Apartments | 50–60% AMI | Pay stubs, tax return, utility bill, ID | Few weeks–1 year |
| Section 8 Voucher | 30–50% AMI | Pay stubs, tax return, utility bill, ID | Waitlist closed |
| Emergency Rental information | No strict limit; hardship-based | Lease, pay stubs, proof of hardship | 2–4 weeks (when open) |
AMI stands for Area Median Income. For a family of four in San Antonio, 60 percent of AMI is roughly $48,000 per year. Income limits change yearly, so confirm the current limit when you contact each program.
What to do if you are not yet on a waitlist
Start with 211 San Antonio. Call 211 from any phone and tell them your household size and income. They will tell you which programs have open waitlists right now and what documents each one needs. This takes about 10 minutes and saves you from explore to programs that are not currently accepting people.
If all waitlists are closed, ask 211 about emergency rental information or rapid rehousing programs, which sometimes have funds available when regular housing programs do not. You can also ask about nonprofits that help with deposits or first month's rent, which can make market-rate apartments more reachable while you wait for a subsidized unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to live in San Antonio now to get on a waitlist?
SAHA requires proof of residency in San Antonio, which usually means a utility bill or lease in your name. If you are currently homeless or living outside the city, call SAHA directly at 210-457-3000 and ask what they will accept as proof. Some programs accept a letter from a shelter or a statement from someone letting you stay with them.
What happens if I have an eviction on my record?
An eviction does not automatically disqualify you from SAHA or tax-credit housing. Each program reviews your history individually. If the eviction was years ago and you have paid rent on time since, you have a reasonable chance. Call the program and ask; they can tell you whether your specific situation is a barrier before you spend time on a full process.
Can I explore to multiple programs at the same time?
Yes. There is no penalty for being on multiple waitlists. In fact, it is the fastest strategy — you will move into housing as soon as any program offers you a unit. Once you accept an offer and move in, contact the other programs and ask them to remove you from their waitlists.
What if my income goes up after I move into subsidized housing?
Your rent will increase, but you will not be evicted. SAHA and tax-credit properties recalculate rent annually based on your current income. If your income rises significantly, your rent may eventually reach market rate, at which point you may choose to move. But there is no sudden jump or penalty for earning more.
How do I know if a landlord accepts Section 8?
SAHA maintains a list of landlords who accept vouchers. When you receive a voucher, SAHA will give you the list and help you search. You can also ask landlords directly — some accept Section 8 but are not on the official list. Landlords cannot legally refuse a voucher just because it is a voucher, though they can still screen you for credit and rental history like any other tenant.