How to Find Income-Based Housing Locations Near You

Finding an income-based apartment is mostly about knowing which official housing offices cover your area, how they label properties, and where waiting lists are actually open.

Where Income-Based Housing Is Usually Located (Direct Answer)

Income-based housing is typically found in three main places:

  • Public housing developments owned or managed by your local housing authority
  • Private apartment complexes that accept Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
  • Privately owned “tax credit” or other affordable properties that set rent based on income guidelines

To locate these in your area, your first move is usually to contact your local public housing authority (PHA) or search your state’s official housing or HUD-related portal for “affordable housing search” or “income-based apartments.”

Rules, waitlists, and available properties vary by city and state, so expect big differences from one area to another.

The Official Places to Check for Income-Based Units

Most income-based housing listings flow through some combination of:

  • Local Housing Authority / Public Housing Authority (PHA) – city or county agency that runs public housing and usually manages voucher waitlists and lists of buildings that take vouchers.
  • State Housing Finance Agency or State Housing Department – state-level office that oversees affordable housing programs, often with a searchable property directory for income-restricted apartments.
  • HUD-approved housing counseling agencies – nonprofits that help renters find and apply for income-based housing, especially if you’re confused by multiple agencies.
  • Local 2-1-1 or social services referral lines – can tell you which housing offices actually serve your ZIP code.

Concrete action you can take today:
Search for your city or county name plus “housing authority” and look for a site ending in .gov. Once on the official site, look for links or sections labeled:

  • “Public Housing”
  • “Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)”
  • “Affordable Housing / Income-Based Housing”
  • “Property Listings” or “Where Can I Use My Voucher?”

If your area is covered by a county-wide or regional PHA instead of your city, the website usually explains which towns or ZIP codes it covers.

You can also search for your state’s housing finance agency by using terms like “State Name housing finance agency affordable rental search” and again, stick to .gov sites to avoid scams or paid listing services pretending to be official.

Key Terms to Know

Key terms to know:

  • Public Housing — Apartments or homes owned or managed by a housing authority, with rent typically based on 30% of your adjusted income.
  • Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) — A subsidy that lets you rent from private landlords; you pay part of the rent and the housing authority pays the rest to the landlord.
  • Income-Restricted / LIHTC Property — A privately owned building that received tax credits or subsidies and must rent to households under certain income limits; rent is often set by income bands, not always exactly 30% of your income.
  • Waiting List — A list you must get on when no units or vouchers are immediately available; some lists are open only during limited time windows.

What to Prepare Before You Start Contacting Locations

You rarely just “walk into” an income-based apartment; locations usually want basic proof that you meet their income and household rules.

Documents you’ll typically need:

  • Photo ID – such as a driver’s license, state ID, or other government-issued identification for adults in the household.
  • Proof of income – recent pay stubs, Social Security benefit letters, unemployment printouts, or other documents showing current monthly income.
  • Current housing situation – lease, rent receipt, or eviction notice if you are being displaced, plus names and dates of birth for all household members.

Some locations also commonly request Social Security numbers, birth certificates for children, and verification of assets (bank statements, retirement accounts), especially for federal programs.

Before calling or visiting, gather these into one folder or envelope, and write down:

  • Total monthly income (before taxes) for everyone in the household
  • Number of people who will live with you
  • Your current address and any deadline (like a move-out date or court-ordered eviction date)

This saves time when you talk to a housing authority or property manager and may help them quickly tell you which properties or programs in your area might fit.

Step-by-Step: How to Find Actual Income-Based Locations

1. Identify the official agency that covers your area

  1. Look up your local housing authority.
    Search “[Your City/County] housing authority” and choose a .gov result. If your city doesn’t have a housing authority, look for a county or regional housing authority.

  2. Confirm your area of coverage.
    On the housing authority site, check the section that lists the cities or ZIP codes served. If your town isn’t listed, they often link to the agency that does serve you.

What to expect next:
You’ll usually see separate pages for Public Housing, Section 8/Vouchers, and sometimes an Affordable Housing/Property List section with addresses and contact info.

2. Use official property or program lists

  1. Find property lists or “where can I live?” tools.
    On the housing authority or state housing agency site, look for tools or PDFs titled:

    • “Income-based housing locations”
    • “Affordable rental search”
    • “Public housing developments”
    • “Participating landlords / voucher units”

  2. Filter for income-based or subsidized units.
    These tools typically let you search by city, county, bedroom size, or income level. Make a list of:

    • Property name
    • Address and neighborhood
    • Phone number or management company
    • Whether they mention Section 8, public housing, or “income-restricted”

What to expect next:
You’ll end up with a shortlist of specific buildings or complexes that say they accept vouchers or are income-based; some may note if they’re currently accepting applications.

3. Call or visit properties and ask key questions

  1. Contact at least 3–5 properties directly.
    Call the property managers and say something like:
    “I’m looking for an income-based unit. Do you offer public housing, accept Section 8 vouchers, or have income-restricted apartments? Are you accepting applications right now, and what’s your waitlist like?”

  2. Ask how they calculate rent and what documents they require.
    Confirm whether rent is based on a fixed affordable rent or a percentage of your income, and ask for a list of documents to bring or upload.

What to expect next:
Properties may:

  • Give you a paper application or link to an online form
  • Place you on a waiting list and give an approximate wait time (but not a guarantee)
  • Tell you if the list is closed and direct you back to the PHA or another property

4. Apply and track your place on waitlists

  1. Submit applications according to the property’s instructions.
    This might involve in-person drop-off, mailing, or using an online portal. Always keep copies or photos of what you submit.

  2. Record your confirmation and follow-up date.
    Ask if they will send a confirmation letter or email, whether they provide a waiting list number, and when you can call to check status.

What to expect next:
Commonly, you receive either:

  • A receipt/confirmation that your application is complete and you’re on a waiting list
  • A request for more documents or clarifications
  • In some cases, a denial or ineligibility notice with instructions about appeals or reapplying

Timelines vary widely; nothing is guaranteed, and some lists move slowly.

Real-world friction to watch for

Real-world friction to watch for
A major snag is that many housing authorities and income-based properties keep their waitlists closed for long stretches and only open them for short periods. If you learn that all the main lists in your area are closed, ask to be put on any notification list or email alert, and also ask for nearby jurisdictions (neighboring cities or counties) that might have open lists so you can apply there too if you’re able and willing to move.

Common Snags (and Quick Fixes)

Common snags (and quick fixes)

  • Scam listings and fake “priority application” services – Only use .gov sites for official applications and never pay someone who promises faster placement; application fees, if any, are typically modest and clearly explained by the property or housing authority.
  • Missing or outdated income documents – If you can’t find recent pay stubs, ask your employer’s HR for a printed earnings statement or download one from your payroll portal; for benefits, request a benefit verification letter from the agency that pays you.
  • Online portals that lock you out or crash – If you get stuck, call the housing authority’s customer service number listed on their site and ask if they accept paper applications or can reset your portal access.
  • Language or accessibility barriers – Ask explicitly for language assistance or disability accommodations; housing authorities commonly have procedures for interpreters or accessible formats.
  • Not knowing which properties really take vouchers – When you call a property, ask directly: “Do you have a current housing assistance contract? Do you accept Housing Choice Vouchers from [Name of Housing Authority]?”

Where to Get Legitimate Help Finding Locations

If you’re still unsure where to look, there are recognized helpers tied into the official system:

  • HUD-approved housing counseling agencies – Nonprofits that can sit down with you (in person or by phone), review your income and situation, and help you find and apply for income-based locations that match your profile.
  • Local legal aid or tenants’ rights organizations – Helpful if you’re facing eviction or discrimination while trying to get into income-based housing.
  • Community action agencies – Often know which income-based buildings in your area have shorter waitlists or special funding (for seniors, people with disabilities, or families).
  • 211 or county social services intake – Can connect you to emergency shelters, short-term hotel vouchers, or rapid rehousing while you wait for a longer-term income-based unit.

When you call an official office or nonprofit, a simple script you can use is:
“I’m trying to find income-based housing near me. I’ve already checked online but I’m confused about which lists are open. Can you tell me which housing authority or properties I should contact for my ZIP code, and what waitlists I can get on right now?”

From there, follow the steps above: identify the right agency, use their property or program lists, contact and apply to specific locations, and keep copies and confirmation of every application you submit.