Where San Antonio's Affordable Housing Programs Are Located

San Antonio has three main sources of affordable housing: public housing run by the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA), rental vouchers also through SAHA, and apartments built or preserved with tax credits through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Each operates differently and serves different income levels.

SAHA manages about 6,000 public housing units across the city, mostly in East and South San Antonio. The agency also administers roughly 13,000 rental vouchers that work in privately owned apartments. Beyond that, private developers build affordable units using Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), which are scattered throughout the metro area but concentrated in older neighborhoods closer to downtown.

The fastest way to learn what exists near you is to call SAHA's main office at 210-477-6000 or visit their website. They can tell you which public housing communities have open waiting lists and whether they currently have vouchers available. For tax-credit apartments, the Texas Housing Search database lists every property statewide with income limits and current availability.

Key Takeaways

  • San Antonio Housing Authority runs public housing and voucher programs; both have waiting lists that can be years long, so joining now matters even if you do not need housing when ready.
  • Rental vouchers pay part of your rent in a private apartment, but you must find the apartment yourself and the landlord must agree to accept the voucher.
  • Tax-credit apartments are privately owned but built with government money; they have income limits and rent caps, and you search for them the same way you search for any rental.
  • Income limits in San Antonio vary by family size and program, ranging from about 30 percent of area median income for public housing to 60 percent for some tax-credit properties.
  • You will need proof of income, identification, and a rental history or references; programs verify employment and check for evictions or criminal history.

San Antonio Housing Authority Public Housing and Waiting Lists

SAHA owns and operates public housing communities throughout San Antonio. These are apartment complexes where SAHA is your landlord. Rent is set at 30 percent of your household income, so the lower your income, the lower your rent. You do not pay utilities separately in most SAHA properties — they are included.

To join the waiting list, you go to SAHA's office in person at 1122 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX 78205, or call 210-477-6000. You will need a photo ID, proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), and proof of residency in Bexar County. SAHA will verify your income and run a background check.

The waiting list is long. As of recent reports, SAHA's public housing waiting list has thousands of names and can take several years to reach. However, families with children, elderly people, and people with disabilities may move up faster. Once your name reaches the top, SAHA contacts you with available units. You then have a set time to view the unit and decide whether to accept it.

Rental Vouchers: How They Work and Where to Find Them

A rental voucher (also called a Housing Choice Voucher or Section 8) is a subsidy that pays part of your rent in a private apartment. You find the apartment yourself, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and SAHA pays the landlord the difference between your 30 percent contribution and the actual rent. This gives you more choice than public housing because you can live in any apartment where the landlord will take the voucher.

SAHA's voucher waiting list is also long and currently closed to new applicants. You can call 210-477-6000 to ask when it reopens. When it does, you explore the same way as for public housing: in person with ID, income proof, and residency verification. Once you receive a voucher, you have a set time (usually 120 days) to find an apartment and have the landlord sign a lease.

The challenge with vouchers is that not all landlords accept them. Some refuse because of paperwork, inspections, or bias. SAHA maintains a list of landlords who have accepted vouchers in the past, and staff can help you search. You can also search online rental listings and contact landlords directly to ask if they accept vouchers before you explore.

Tax-Credit Apartments and Income Limits

Low-Income Housing Tax Credits are federal subsidies given to developers who build or renovate apartments and keep them affordable for 15 to 30 years. In San Antonio, hundreds of apartments exist under this program. Rent is capped based on area median income, and you must meet income limits to live there. Unlike SAHA programs, you do not join a waiting list — you search for available units and explore directly to the property.

Income limits for tax-credit apartments vary. Some properties serve households at 50 percent of area median income (AMI), others at 60 percent. For a family of four in San Antonio, 60 percent AMI is roughly $48,000 to $52,000 per year, depending on the year and how HUD calculates it. You will need to check each property's specific limit because they differ.

To find tax-credit apartments, use the Texas Housing Search database at texashousingearch.org. Filter by San Antonio, enter your income, and the database shows properties where you meet the income limit. You can also call 211 (a free referral line) and ask for affordable apartments in your area. When you find a property, contact the leasing office directly. They will ask for proof of income, references, and will run a background check just like any landlord.

Income Limits and What You Need to Prove

Income limits in San Antonio depend on family size and the specific program. Public housing and vouchers use 30 percent AMI as a ceiling, which is the lowest threshold. Tax-credit apartments range from 50 to 60 percent AMI. Some newer programs target 80 percent AMI. You must provide recent documentation to prove your income falls within the limit.

Acceptable proof includes recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), W-2 forms from the past two years, tax returns, a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your salary, or a benefits letter if you receive Social Security, disability, or unemployment. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns and bank statements. If you have no income, bring documentation of benefits or a letter explaining your situation.

Programs also verify employment by contacting your employer directly. They check for evictions in the past three to five years, criminal history (policies vary by program), and unpaid debts to previous landlords. If you have an eviction, you may still be considered, but some programs have automatic disqualifications for certain crimes. Ask the program about their specific policies before you explore.

Alternatives If SAHA Waiting Lists Are Closed

When SAHA's voucher list is closed, you have two main options: search for tax-credit apartments directly, or contact nonprofit organizations that help with housing placement. Tax-credit apartments do not have waiting lists — availability changes as units turn over, so you can search and explore anytime.

Nonprofits like the San Antonio Housing Trust, Haven for Hope, and Catholic Charities offer housing search information, case management, and sometimes emergency rental help. Call 211 and ask for housing navigation services in your area. These organizations know which properties have units available, can help you understand income limits, and sometimes advocate with landlords on your behalf.

If you are experiencing homelessness or are at when ready risk, contact Haven for Hope at 210-212-2000. They provide emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing for people with complex needs. If you are a senior or person with a disability, call the Area Agency on Aging at 210-467-6000 to learn about housing programs specifically for older adults and people with disabilities.

What Happens After You Are Approved

Once you are approved for public housing, SAHA contacts you when a unit becomes available. You have a set time to view it and decide whether to accept. If you accept, you sign a lease, pay a move-in fee (usually one month's rent at 30 percent of your income), and move in. SAHA handles maintenance and repairs — you call the office if something breaks.

If you receive a voucher, you have 120 days to find an apartment. You search on your own, negotiate with the landlord, and once you have a signed lease, you submit it to SAHA. SAHA inspects the apartment to make sure it meets housing quality standards, then signs a contract with the landlord. You pay your 30 percent share directly to the landlord; SAHA pays the rest. If you move, you can take the voucher to a new apartment as long as the rent is within SAHA's payment standard for that area.

For tax-credit apartments, once you are approved, you sign a lease like any other rental. The affordability is built into the rent cap — you pay what the lease says, and the government subsidy is between the owner and the federal government. You have the same rights and responsibilities as any tenant.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get housing through SAHA?

Public housing waiting lists in San Antonio typically take two to five years to reach, though this varies by family composition and unit availability. Voucher waiting lists are currently closed. Once you are offered a unit or voucher, the process moves faster — usually within 30 to 60 days from offer to move-in.

Can I explore for public housing and tax-credit apartments at the same time?

Yes. Joining SAHA's waiting list does not prevent you from searching for tax-credit apartments or other rentals. Many people do both because tax-credit apartments may have availability sooner, while SAHA provides a long-term option.

What if I have a criminal record or eviction?

Policies vary. SAHA and most tax-credit programs do not automatically disqualify you for an eviction, but they will consider the reason and how long ago it happened. Criminal history is evaluated case by case — some crimes result in disqualification, others do not. Call the program directly and ask about their specific policy before you explore.

Do I have to stay in public housing for a certain amount of time?

No. You can leave public housing or a voucher program anytime by giving notice, usually 30 days. Your lease will specify the notice requirement. If you move to a market-rate apartment or buy a home, you straightforward end your lease and move.

Where do I call if I have questions about a specific apartment?

For SAHA public housing or vouchers, call 210-477-6000. For tax-credit apartments, call the leasing office directly — their number is listed in the Texas Housing Search database. For general housing questions or referrals, call 211.