Low Income Housing Near Me: How to Find and Apply

Low income housing near me: the main types

"Low-income housing" covers several different programs. Most have income limits and waiting lists, and you usually apply to each one separately. Knowing the type tells you where to apply:

Public housing. Rental homes run by a local public housing agency (PHA) for eligible low-income families, older adults and people with disabilities. HUD says it ranges from single-family houses to high-rise apartments.
Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8). A voucher from a PHA helps you rent from a private landlord, and the agency pays part of the rent. Our guide on how to apply for Section 8 walks through it.
Project-based Section 8 and other subsidized apartments. The help is tied to the building, not to you. USAGov explains that the government pays owners to lower the rent for tenants with low incomes, and you apply at the property.
Tax-credit (LIHTC) apartments. The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit helps build and fix up rental housing for lower-income households. HUD User describes it as a leading source of new affordable housing.
USDA rural rental housing. USDA Rural Development finances apartments for low-income, elderly or disabled people in eligible rural areas. In some, low-income tenants get rental assistance paid to the owner.
Senior and disability housing. HUD's Section 202 and Section 811 programs subsidize rentals for low-income residents 62 or older and low-income adults with disabilities.
Transitional housing. Temporary housing with support services for people leaving homelessness. It is covered below.

How to find low income housing near me

There is no single list of every affordable unit. When you search for low income housing near me, use several sources and write down each place you contact:

Find your public housing agencies. HUD's PHA contact list shows agencies by state and city. Ask each one about public housing, vouchers and open waiting lists. HUD's PIH Customer Service Center, 800-955-2232, answers questions about these programs. HomelessHelper also lists PHAs by state and county.
Search HUD's map of subsidized apartments. On the HUD Resource Locator, choose "Find Affordable Housing Opportunities Near Me." HUD's state pages note that it does not show vacancies, so call each property's management office about openings and waiting lists.
Ask tax-credit properties directly. Many of those HUD state pages say to contact a LIHTC property directly to apply. Your state's housing finance agency may also list them.
Check USDA rentals in rural areas. USDA's MFH Rentals search lets you pick a state and find USDA-financed properties for rent.
Call 211. 211.org suggests asking 211 for your local housing authority, and local specialists answer 24/7.
Talk to a housing counselor. HUD-approved agencies can advise on renting, often at little or no cost. Use the CFPB's housing counselor finder and check each agency's list of services.

Income limits: who qualifies

Most programs compare your income with the area median income (AMI), so the limit depends on where you live and how many people are in your household. HUD's three common levels are defined in 24 CFR 5.603:

Low income: up to 80% of area median income.
Very low income: up to 50%.
Extremely low income: up to 30%, or the federal poverty guideline if that is higher.

HUD publishes new income limits on HUD User each fiscal year; the FY 2026 limits took effect May 1, 2026. Public housing uses the 80% and 50% levels, and vouchers mostly go to very low-income households. Tax-credit properties use separate Multifamily Tax Subsidy Project limits. Ask each program which limit applies to you.

Rent rules differ too. In public housing and the voucher program, your share is usually about 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Tax-credit rents are capped for the unit instead, and HUD notes they do not change with your income, so they can be more than 30% of what you earn.

Applying and getting on waiting lists

Apply to each program separately. PHAs take applications for public housing and vouchers. Subsidized, tax-credit and USDA properties take their own; USAGov notes that each property has its own system and some have waiting lists.
Expect waits. HUD says long waiting periods for public housing are common, and agencies may close a list when demand is high. Apply to several places.
Know what the first form asks. A HUD waiting-list flyer says preliminary applications usually ask about household size, income, disability or elderly status, and local preferences.
Stay reachable. Answer every letter by its deadline and report a new address or phone number, or you could lose your place.
Ask for help if you need it. The same flyer says a PHA must accept an application another way as a reasonable accommodation for a disability, and must provide meaningful access if you have limited English.
Keep records of where you applied, the date and any confirmation number.

If you are behind on rent where you live now, our rental assistance guide covers short-term help while you wait.

Transitional housing near me: a step out of homelessness

Transitional housing is temporary housing with support services for people experiencing homelessness. In HUD's Continuum of Care program, HUD Exchange explains, a project can cover housing and services for up to 24 months, with the goal of moving into permanent housing.

When you look for transitional housing near me, start with your local homeless response system rather than online lists. Local Continuums of Care use coordinated entry, a standard way to assess people and refer them to housing. HUD's Need Homeless Assistance? list gives local contacts, and 211 can connect you. Ask:

Who is eligible, and do I need a referral?
How long can I stay, and what are the house rules?
Is there a program fee or a share of rent?
What services are included, such as case management or job help?
Are there programs for families, youth, veterans or survivors of domestic violence?

If you need a place to sleep tonight, see our guide to finding a homeless shelter near you.

How to avoid housing scams

Scammers target people searching for low income housing near me. The FTC warns that fake sites copy Section 8 waiting list sign-ups, charge fees, collect Social Security numbers and put you on no real list.

Never pay to join a waiting list. The FTC says there is no fee to register for a Section 8 waiting list.
Find the agency yourself through HUD's PHA list, a .gov site or 211, not through an ad or an unexpected call.
Be wary of listings that want money first. The FTC's rental listing scam guide flags rent far below the local going rate, owners who cannot show the place, pressure to decide fast, and payment by wire transfer, gift card or cryptocurrency.
Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Our guide to checking a suspicious phone number can also help.

Where HomelessHelper fits

HomelessHelper is a free directory of essential services, and you do not need an account to search. On the website you pick a state and a county. For housing, it lists 3,449 public housing agencies from HUD records, covering public housing and voucher administration, and 1,302 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies. Each listing shows its source and links to the original record.

It also lists HUD-designated homeless-response contacts for every state, plus community-mapped day-center and outreach locations, labeled as community data. Its housing listings are agencies, not apartments: it does not show vacancies or individual tax-credit or USDA properties.

It is a directory, not a housing program or a government agency, and it does not decide eligibility. Listings can be out of date, so call the agency first. See how HomelessHelper works.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find low income housing near me?

Contact the public housing agencies on HUD's PHA list, search HUD's Resource Locator for subsidized apartments, check USDA's rental search in rural areas, and call 211. Apply to several places, because waiting lists are common.

What income qualifies for low-income housing?

It depends on the program, your area and your household size. HUD's levels are 80% of area median income (low), 50% (very low) and 30% (extremely low). Check the current limits on HUD User or ask the agency.

How long is the wait for low-income housing?

It varies by place and program. HUD says long waits for public housing are common, so apply to several lists and keep your contact details up to date.

What is transitional housing?

Temporary housing with support services for people experiencing homelessness. In HUD's Continuum of Care program it can last up to 24 months. Ask 211 or your local coordinated entry contact how to get a referral.

Do I have to pay to apply for low-income housing?

There is no fee to register for a Section 8 waiting list, the FTC says. Some private properties may charge an application fee, so ask what it covers, and never pay by wire transfer or gift card.

Is HomelessHelper a housing program?

No. It is a free, independent directory that lists public housing agencies, housing counseling agencies and other services. It does not decide eligibility or keep waiting lists.

Related guides

Explore the complete product

Read features, current access and limitations

Low Income Housing Near Me: How to Find an Affordable Place to Live