How To Find and Qualify for Affordable Housing

HowToGetAssistance.org shares general guidance only; you must use official government or provider websites, phone numbers, or offices to apply or check your housing status.

Affordable housing usually means paying no more than about 30% of your income for rent and basic utilities, often through programs that lower your rent or provide a below-market unit. To get it, you typically need to match with the right program, prove your income and household details, and complete an application with your local housing agency or nonprofit.

Quick Summary: Getting Affordable Housing

Start local: Check your city or county housing authority and local nonprofits.
Know your options: Public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), project-based units, and income-restricted apartments.
Check income limits: Most programs are for low- and very low-income households based on area median income (AMI).
Gather documents: ID, Social Security numbers, proof of income, and recent addresses are commonly required.
Expect waitlists: Many places have waiting lists or closed lists; apply to multiple programs if possible.
Protect yourself: Never pay a “fee” to get to the top of a waitlist; that is a red flag for a scam.

Key Types of Affordable Housing Programs

Most affordable housing in the U.S. runs through combinations of federal, state, and local programs. The names and details vary by state and city, but the basic structures are similar.

Common programs include:

Public housing: Apartments or houses owned by a local Public Housing Authority (PHA) with rent typically based on 30% of your adjusted income.
Housing Choice Voucher (HCV / Section 8): A voucher that helps you rent from a private landlord; you usually pay about 30% of your income and the voucher pays the rest up to a limit.
Project-based Section 8 or similar subsidies: Specific buildings where the subsidy is attached to the unit, not the tenant; you apply at the property.
Tax credit (LIHTC) or “income-restricted” units: Privately owned apartments that must keep rents lower for households under certain income limits.
State or local rental assistance: Shorter-term or special-target help (for example, for seniors, people with disabilities, or people exiting homelessness).

Key terms in plain language

Area Median Income (AMI): The middle income for your region; programs set limits as a percentage of this (like 30%, 50%, or 80% of AMI).
Waitlist: A list you join when units or vouchers aren’t currently available; you may wait months or years.
Preference: A priority category (such as homelessness, veteran status, local residency) that can move you higher on a waitlist.

Program availability, names, and rules differ by state and county; typically, each area has at least one PHA or housing department that posts its own income limits and waitlist rules.

Does Any of This Likely Apply to You?

You do not have to be unemployed or on other benefits to qualify. Affordable housing programs usually look at income, household size, immigration status of household members (for some programs), and background checks.

You may be a good candidate for affordable housing programs if:

Your total household income is below your area’s limits. Many programs target households under 50%–80% of AMI, with deeper help at 30% of AMI or below.
You are paying a large share of income on rent. Being “rent-burdened” (often defined as paying over 30% of income) can help, and “severely rent-burdened” (over 50%) may qualify you for certain preferences.
You have a qualifying situation. Some programs have preferences for seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, families with children, survivors of violence, or people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Because income limits are local, your next step is to check income limits and programs for your specific city or county on your housing authority or state housing agency website.

What You’ll Need Ready Before You Apply

Having basic documentation ready can reduce delays and help you move quickly when a list opens or a unit becomes available.

Commonly required documents include:

Identification: Government-issued photo ID for adults, and Social Security numbers (or documentation of ineligibility, if applicable).
Income proof: Recent pay stubs, benefit letters (Social Security, SSI, TANF, unemployment), child support statements, or self-employment records.
Household details: Birth certificates or other proof of age and relationship, plus information about who lives with you.
Rental history: Past addresses, landlord contact information, and possibly prior eviction or court records.
Immigration documentation (where relevant): Some federal programs require eligible immigration status for at least one household member, though mixed-status households may still receive prorated assistance.

If you’re missing documents, housing agencies often let you submit an application first and then give you a deadline to supply extra proof; ask explicitly, “Can I apply now and update my file when I get this document?”

Real-world friction to watch for: A common reason applications get delayed is incomplete income proof, especially for gig work or cash jobs; if that applies to you, gather bank statements or written income statements early and ask the office which forms they will accept.

Your Next Steps: How to Apply and What to Expect

1. Identify your local housing agencies and programs

Find your Public Housing Authority. Use the HUD “Find Your Local Public Housing Agency” tool on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website to locate PHAs serving your area.
Check your state or city housing department. Many have a “rental assistance” or “affordable housing” section listing local programs and income-restricted properties.
Call 2-1-1. Dialing 211 (in most areas) connects you with a local information line that can list low-cost housing resources and emergency programs.

2. Review eligibility and open waitlists

Once you find the right sites or offices:

Look for pages labeled “Apply,” “Waiting List,” or “Current Openings.”
Check if applications are currently accepted. Many PHAs and properties have closed lists and only open them for short periods.
Compare your income and household size to posted limits; if your income is close to the cutoff, ask the agency to confirm whether you’re within range.
Note any preferences you may qualify for (such as homelessness or local residency) and be prepared to document them.

If this happens → do this:

Waitlist is closed → Ask when they expect to reopen and whether there’s an email list or alerts you can sign up for.
You don’t qualify for one program → Ask for other programs or properties that accept higher or lower income ranges.

3. Submit applications (online, mail, or in person)

Common routes include:

Online portals hosted by your PHA or city housing department.
Paper applications you can download, pick up at the housing office, or get mailed to you.
On-site applications directly at income-restricted or subsidized properties.

When you apply, double-check:

All household members are listed.
Income amounts are accurate to the best of your knowledge.
Contact information (phone, email, mailing address) is current and stable.

What to expect next: You’ll typically receive a confirmation number or letter and, if you joined a waitlist, an estimated position or a notice that the timeline is uncertain.

4. Respond quickly to any follow-ups

While you’re on a list or after you’re selected:

Open and read all mail and email from the housing agency or property.
Reply by the stated deadline to requests for documents, interviews, or unit offers.
Report changes in income, household size, or contact information, as required by that program.

Not responding in time commonly leads to removal from waitlists, and reinstatement is often not guaranteed.

Avoid Mistakes and Housing Scams

Because housing benefits involve money and personal information, scams are common. Being cautious can protect your finances and identity.

Red flags and how to respond:

Someone asks for cash or gift cards to move you up a waitlist or “guarantee” a voucher.
- Legitimate housing authorities and reputable landlords do not sell waitlist spots; walk away and report it to the housing authority.
A site charges a high “application fee” for Section 8 or public housing.
- PHAs typically do not charge application fees for vouchers or public housing; confirm fees on the official PHA website before paying anything.
Unsolicited calls or texts asking for your Social Security number or banking details to “activate” a voucher you never applied for.
- Hang up and call your PHA or housing department using a publicly listed number to verify.

Protect yourself by:

Applying only through official sites or verified offices. Look for .gov domains or clearly identified housing authorities and city/county agencies.
Keeping copies of all applications, letters, and emails.
Never sharing personal documents in response to random social media posts or online classifieds.

For trusted nationwide information, you can review rental assistance and public housing resources on the HUD website under the “Rental Assistance” section.

If You Still Can’t Get Affordable Housing

In high-demand areas, even qualified people may face long waits. While you stay on lists, consider additional options:

Apply in multiple jurisdictions if allowed (for example, neighboring city or county PHAs that accept non-residents on their lists).
Look for nonprofit or faith-based programs that offer transitional housing, shared housing, or limited rent help, often listed through 211 or your local Continuum of Care (homeless services network).
Ask about emergency or short-term rental assistance if you are at risk of eviction; some cities and charities offer one-time or limited help to prevent homelessness.
Talk with a local housing counselor (often HUD-approved) who can review your situation and suggest additional programs.

Your most effective next step is usually to get on every eligible affordable housing or voucher list you can find in your area, keep your contact info updated, and monitor official messages closely while you explore backup options.