Where to look for low-income apartments in Austin

Austin's low-income housing stock is managed by several different organizations, and where you look depends on your income level and whether you need when ready housing or can wait for a subsidized unit. The Austin Housing Finance Department maintains a searchable list of properties on its website, organized by neighborhood and rent price. The Community Development and Neighborhood Partnering Department also tracks affordable units across the city.

Beyond city resources, NeighborWorks Austin and the Austin Tenants Union publish lists of available units and can connect you with landlords who rent to people with lower incomes. The Austin Apartment Association maintains a database searchable by price range. Many units are also listed on Zillow, Apartments.com, and Craigslist, but filtering by price and then calling to confirm the rent hasn't changed is essential — advertised prices often don't reflect what you'll actually pay.

Key Takeaways

  • Austin's Housing Finance Department and Community Development Department both maintain searchable lists of low-income apartments, organized by neighborhood and maximum rent.
  • Section 8 vouchers (Housing Choice Vouchers) are administered by the Austin Housing Authority, but the waitlist is typically closed and can take years to open; you can call to ask when applications reopen.
  • Income limits for low-income housing in Austin vary by program but typically range from 30 to 80 percent of the area median income, which changes annually.
  • Many landlords in Austin accept tenants with prior evictions or poor credit if you can show current income and references, so don't assume you're automatically disqualified.
  • Rent in Austin has risen significantly, so units advertised as "affordable" may still cost 40 to 50 percent of your income if you earn below $30,000 per year.

Income limits and what they mean

Low-income housing programs in Austin use area median income (AMI) as the threshold for who can rent. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development sets the AMI for the Austin-Round Rock area each year; for 2024, the median income for a family of four is approximately $105,000. Programs typically serve households at 30, 50, or 80 percent of AMI.

At 30 percent AMI, a family of four would need to earn roughly $31,500 per year or less. At 50 percent AMI, the limit is around $52,500. At 80 percent AMI, it rises to about $84,000. These figures change annually, and different programs use different thresholds. When you contact a property, ask which income limit applies — it determines whether you can rent there and what your rent will be.

Income is calculated as gross monthly earnings before taxes. If you receive Social Security, disability payments, unemployment, or child support, those count as income. Self-employment income is averaged over the past two years. If your income fluctuates, bring recent pay stubs and tax returns to prove what you actually earn.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers in Austin

The Austin Housing Authority administers Section 8 vouchers, which pay a portion of your rent directly to your landlord. The voucher covers the difference between 30 percent of your income and the fair market rent for your unit, up to a maximum amount set by HUD. You choose your own apartment from landlords who accept vouchers, rather than being assigned to a specific building.

The Austin Housing Authority's waitlist is currently closed. When it opens — which happens irregularly, sometimes years apart — applications are accepted for a limited window, often just a few weeks. You can call the Austin Housing Authority at (512) 457-7000 to ask when the next opening is expected and to request notification when applications reopen. Some people wait on the list for three to five years before being called.

If you are accepted, you will need to find a landlord willing to accept the voucher, sign a lease, and pass an inspection. The process from voucher approval to moving in typically takes two to four months. Not all landlords accept Section 8 — some refuse because of paperwork requirements or because they believe voucher tenants are higher risk, though discrimination based on voucher status is illegal in Texas.

Public housing and mixed-income developments

Austin has several public housing communities managed by the Austin Housing Authority, including Rosewood Courts, Meadows, and Blackland. These are traditional public housing where you pay rent based on your income (typically 30 percent of gross income). Waitlists for public housing are also long; you can contact the Austin Housing Authority to ask about current wait times for specific properties.

Mixed-income developments are newer buildings where some units are subsidized and others rent at market rate. Examples include Mueller (a large mixed-use development on the former airport site) and various properties developed through the city's Affordability Unlocked program. These developments often have shorter waitlists than traditional public housing, though rents are still higher than public housing. The Austin Housing Finance Department can tell you which mixed-income properties currently have openings.

What landlords will ask for and what to prepare

Most landlords in Austin require a signed lease, proof of income (recent pay stubs or a letter from your employer), and a background check. Some also ask for references from previous landlords. If you have an eviction or broken lease in your history, be honest about it — many landlords will rent to you anyway if your current income is stable and you can explain what happened.

Prepare a folder with: your last two months of pay stubs, your most recent tax return, a letter from your employer confirming your job and income, and contact information for at least one previous landlord or personal reference. If you receive benefits, bring documentation from Social Security, TANF, SNAP, or disability programs. If you're self-employed, bring your last two years of tax returns and a profit-and-loss statement.

Some landlords ask for a guarantor (someone who will pay rent if you can't). If you don't have a guarantor, explain this upfront rather than waiting for them to ask. A few landlords will accept a larger deposit instead. In Texas, a landlord can charge up to one month's rent as a security deposit, plus additional deposits for pets or other reasons, so ask what the total upfront cost will be before you commit.

Neighborhoods with lower rents in Austin

Rent varies significantly by neighborhood. East Austin (areas like Montopolis, Riverside, and Dove Springs) and South Austin (Manchaca, Slaughter Lane) typically have lower rents than Central, North, or West Austin. Pflugerville and Round Rock, suburbs north and northeast of Austin, also have lower rents than the city proper, though you'll spend more on transportation.

Neighborhoods near public transit (the MetroRapid bus lines and CapMetro routes) are worth considering if you don't have a car, because you'll save money on transportation. The MetroRapid lines serve East Riverside, North Lamar, and South Congress, and rents in those corridors are often lower than in neighborhoods without transit access.

Be cautious of listings that seem significantly cheaper than surrounding properties — verify the rent amount by calling the landlord directly and asking to see the lease before you commit. Scams targeting low-income renters are common in Austin, particularly on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.

Avoiding rental scams and predatory landlords

Common scams include landlords who ask for payment before you've signed a lease, request payment by wire transfer or gift card, or claim they need to verify your identity through a third-party website. Legitimate landlords accept checks, bank transfers, or credit cards and provide a signed lease before collecting any money.

If a landlord asks you to pay a deposit to hold a unit while they "process your process," that is a red flag. Deposits are collected after you've signed a lease, not before. If a listing is posted by someone who doesn't own the property (a "wholesaler" or "agent" with no license), verify their authority to rent it before paying anything.

Before signing a lease, read every page carefully. Texas Property Code requires landlords to provide a signed lease and to disclose certain information (like whether the property is in a flood zone). If something is unclear, ask the landlord to explain it in writing. The Austin Tenants Union offers free lease reviews if you email them a copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I have an eviction on my record?

Many Austin landlords will rent to you despite an eviction if your current income is stable and you can explain what happened. Bring documentation of your current job and income, and be honest about the eviction. Some landlords specialize in renting to people with eviction histories. The Austin Tenants Union can refer you to landlord-friendly resources.

Can I get a low-income apartment if I'm not a U.S. citizen?

Yes. Public housing and most subsidized programs do not require citizenship, only legal residency. You will need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or Social Security number to sign a lease. Bring your residency documentation and ITIN when you explore. Some landlords may ask additional questions, but discrimination based on immigration status is illegal.

How long does it take to get approved for a low-income apartment?

For unsubsidized apartments, approval typically takes one to two weeks if you have all required documents ready. For subsidized programs like Section 8 or public housing, approval can take months or years because of waitlists. Once you're approved for a voucher or public housing, finding and moving into a specific unit usually takes another two to four months.

What if my income is too high for low-income housing but I still can't afford market rent?

Austin has some programs for households at 60 to 80 percent AMI that charge below-market rent but above the lowest-income rates. The Austin Housing Finance Department can tell you which properties serve this income range. You might also explore roommate situations or moving to a suburb with lower rents, though that increases commute time and transportation costs.

Do I need a cosigner if I have bad credit?

Not always. Many Austin landlords focus on current income rather than credit score. If you have a job and can show recent pay stubs, you may be approved without a cosigner. If a landlord does require a cosigner, they typically want someone with good credit who will sign the lease alongside you. Ask upfront whether a cosigner is required before you explore.