This webpage outlines the compliance requirements for income-restricted housing, which is supported by the City of Austin. All affordable housing programs have income eligibility requirements that ensure we are targeting assistance to Austin's moderate- and low-income residents and families. Income restrictions for many of these programs are set by state and federal guidelines. Affordable housing will also have rent or sales price limits. Each program has different eligibility requirements, so be sure to check the specific criteria of each program.

Federal Eligibility Income Limits

Properties with income-restricted units are required to verify the income eligibility of applicants. Households who apply for an income-restricted unit must have a household income that is at or below the required percentage of the Median Family Income (MFI) for the unit.

Check your annual household income against the current income limits (effective June 1, 2024) for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) by visiting HOME and CDBG Federal Eligibility Income and Rent Limits (PDF), Income limits are set annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This document also shows the rent limits for programs that must comply with HOME, CDBG, or other HUD programs.

The limits are based on the HUD Median Family Income in the Austin-Round Rock area. Learn more about HUD's methodology (Web) for setting income limits, or read more about rent and income limits issued by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (Web). Income limits are updated annually.

City of Austin Rent Limits

The tables below show the current rent limits and sales price limits for all City of Austin affordable housing incentive programs. Rent limits are updated annually based on the Median Family Income. 

Properties participating in a state or federal program with active monitoring, such as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit or the HUD 202 program, may follow the compliance guidelines and rent limits for that separate program. A property that commits to providing income-restricted units solely to obtain a state property tax exemption is not included in this exemption, and must follow City of Austin guidelines.

City of Austin Sales Price Limits

Affordable housing developments that offer affordable units for sale through City of Austin affordable housing incentive programs must sell affordable units at or below the affordable prices established annually by the Housing Department.

City of Austin Affordability Program Compliance

Below are the monitoring and compliance guidelines for the City of Austin's affordability programs.

These guides provide information on compliance requirements for properties participating in City of Austin affordable housing incentive programs, such as S.M.A.R.T. Housing, DB90, University Neighborhood Overlay, and others. These guides include information on income qualification, rent limits, leasing fees, lease renewals, and other common topics.

Property managers must utilize forms approved by the Housing Department to collect and maintain the documentation necessary to determine income eligibility. Properties participating in state or federal funding programs, such as LIHTC, may utilize the forms required through the state or federal program. Otherwise, property managers should use the forms provided below.

Properties participating in state or federal affordable housing programs should reference the compliance rules for their respective program.

Finding Affordable Housing

Please note that prospective tenants who would like to apply for an affordable housing unit to rent within the city limits of Austin must contact the apartment community of interest and complete their application process. The City of Austin does not have an application process for individuals looking to rent an affordable unit.