# Income Restricted New Apartments Austin | New Austin Apartment Team > New apartments in the Austin metro with income-qualified units, 2026 TDHCA limits for Travis County, voucher rules, and how specials apply. URL: https://newapartmentsaustin.com/income-restricted-apartments/ Essential housing and income-qualified units # New Austin Apartments With Income-Qualified Units, and Who Qualifies Last updated: October 27, 2026 Prices pulled Oct 25, 2026 at 6:14 AM CT · Travis · Williamson · Hays · Bastrop · Caldwell New buildings that set aside units for income-qualified households, each labeled on the card with dated 2026 limits and voucher rules. - Free to you, and your rent is the same either way - 144 new communities tracked (as of Oct 25, 2026) - Prices pulled every morning Get my shortlist [#get-shortlist →](#get-shortlist) See the New Build Board [/new-construction-apartments/ →](/new-construction-apartments/) ![New mid-rise apartment building in Austin with income-qualified units](/images/misc/new-mid-rise-apartment-building-with-limestone-bas.webp) Illustrative photo. Renderings on the board are labeled as renderings. - Licensed Texas brokerage Spirit Real Estate Group, LLC, TREC #562021 - Free to renters Communities pay the brokerage. Your rent is the same either way. - Prices pulled every morning Every card shows the date and time it was pulled - Score can't be bought Commission rates never affect score, sort, placement, or picks From the board ## Income-Restricted: what each card shows Cards render server-side from the daily feed. Pulled Oct 25, 2026 at 6:14 AM CT. Stale prices hide; unconfirmed specials don't publish. ![Exterior of a new apartment building in Far East Austin (illustrative photo)](/images/blog/labeled-exterior-photo-of-a-new-four-story-limesto.webp) Austin // Decker Lease-up Who can rent: Some units: essential housing (income-qualified) ### Citizen House Decker Far East Austin [/far-east-austin/ →](/far-east-austin/) · Austin Energy (no plan choice) · Manor ISD 1\. True monthly (rent + required fees) $1,059 / mo 2\. Net effective$947 / mo 3\. Base rent$1,172 / mo **4\. Special:** Up to 10 weeks free on a 12-month lease 5\. Year two at the same base: $1,284.50 / mo (+21%) Required fees $112.50 (Greystar fee calculator). FEMA Zone X · MetroRapid 837 stop 0.46 mi. Pulled Oct 25, 2026 at 6:14 AM CT Illustration, values as of Oct 25, 2026; live page uses the feed. Request the full fee sheet → [#get-shortlist →](#get-shortlist) On this view - 'Some units: essential housing (income-qualified)' label on every qualifying card - TDHCA 2026 Travis County limits with source and date - Voucher acceptance rules for HFC buildings - 55+ community counts as a board filter 144 Communities tracked Board, Oct 25, 2026 10.8 weeks Median special Board, Oct 25, 2026 $120.50 Median required fee n=12 buildings, Oct 25, 2026 +26% Year-two jump At median special, same base Rent math tool Income Qualification Check (3x Rent) Check whether your income clears the multiple on base rent or on rent after the special. Open the calculator [/tools/income-qualification-calculator/ →](/tools/income-qualification-calculator/) ## Which new buildings have income-qualified units? Some new apartments in the Austin metro [/ →](/) set aside a share of units for income-qualified households, often through programs like SMART Housing, Affordability Unlocked, LIHTC, or ownership through a housing finance corporation (HFC) or Public Facility Corporation (PFC). We label those buildings on every card: **“Some units: essential housing (income-qualified).”** If your household income falls under the limit for your size, these units can offer capped rent in a brand-new building. For Travis County, the TDHCA 2026 limit at 60% of area median income (AMI) for 2 persons is $64,560, and the 60% maximum rent on a 2BR is $1,815. ## Who qualifies for an income-restricted unit? Three tests usually apply: 1. **Household income under the limit** for your household size and the unit’s AMI tier (for example, 60% AMI or 80% AMI). 2. **Income documentation** such as pay stubs, an offer letter, bank statements, and ID. 3. **A rent multiple**, because many buildings still want income of about 3x the rent. | Figure (Travis County) | Value | Source and date | | --- | --- | --- | | 60% AMI income limit, 2 persons | $64,560 | TDHCA 2026 | | 60% maximum rent, 2BR | $1,815 | TDHCA 2026 | | Fair market rent (FMR), 1BR | $1,530 | HUD FY2027 | | Austin Housing Authority payment standard, 1BR | $1,650 | AHA, Jan 1, 2026 | Austin doesn’t use Small Area FMRs. The Austin Housing Authority waitlist is closed. Our eligibility guide [/guides/income-restricted-eligibility-travis-county/ →](/guides/income-restricted-eligibility-travis-county/) covers income limits by household size and recertification. ## Can you use a housing voucher at a new building? Yes, at some buildings. Buildings owned through a housing finance corporation must accept Housing Choice Vouchers under Loc. Gov’t Code §394.9026 (HB 21). Outside that rule, Texas cities can’t require voucher acceptance (§250.007), so it’s building by building. We confirm voucher acceptance before you apply. The housing voucher guide [/guides/housing-voucher-new-apartments/ →](/guides/housing-voucher-new-apartments/) explains FMR and the payment standard. ## Do specials apply to restricted units? Not always. Some buildings exclude restricted units from move-in specials because the rent is already capped; others apply the same special. In a building with deep market-rate concessions, a market-rate unit’s net effective can come close to the restricted rent in year one. Year two is where they split: restricted rent follows the cap and annual recertification, while market-rate renewals price from base rent. The income-restricted vs. market-rate guide [/guides/income-restricted-vs-market-rate/ →](/guides/income-restricted-vs-market-rate/) compares both in the same building. ## What about 55+ communities? Age-restricted 55+ communities are a filter on the board rather than a separate page. Tell us on the form if you need one, and we’ll include the counts by area in your shortlist. ## How we keep this Fair Housing compliant We describe buildings and programs, never people. We don’t steer by race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability, and we personalize only from what you tell us. The Fair Housing Act applies to every search we run. See our Fair Housing page [/fair-housing/ →](/fair-housing/) for the full policy. What we check ## What we pre-check for income-qualified units Documents before any application fee Same finishes as market-rate units 'Who can rent' label on every card Voucher acceptance rules by building Photos are illustrative of what we check on tours. Renderings are labeled; community photos appear only with permission and credit. Why it goes wrong ## Why income-qualified searches stall Problem 1 ### The units aren't labeled Many listings don't say which buildings set aside income-qualified units, or how many. Renters call building after building to find out. Problem 2 ### Limits change by household size Eligibility depends on household size and the AMI tier, and the rent cap differs by bedroom count. One number doesn't fit everyone. Problem 3 ### Fees come before answers Without a pre-check, you can pay an application fee before learning the building tests income differently or has a waitlist. So we label every qualifying building, check limits with the dated TDHCA figures, and pre-check documents before any fee. The concierge ## How we help with income-restricted 1. 1 Eligibility pre-check We compare your household size and income with the dated limits for each building's tier. 2. 2 Document list We confirm which documents each building wants for certification. 3. 3 Shortlist Buildings with available income-qualified units, plus market-rate options with specials for comparison. 4. 4 Annual recertification We note when recertification happens so year two isn't a surprise. **When something goes wrong:** If the special is missing from the ledger, a fee wasn't disclosed, or move-in slips, we take it up with the community in writing and report back. The 60-second form ## Tell us what you need. We make the calls. You don't have time to call 20 leasing offices. We do, and confirm the unit, the special, and the written fee sheet the same day during hours. 1. 1 Same day We call or text during hours with a shortlist plan. 2. 2 In writing Unit, special, end date, and fee sheet confirmed before you tour. 3. 3 Year two shown Every pick shows year two at 0% and +3%, plus a 24-month total. Prefer to talk? Call or text 512-000-000 [tel:+1512000000 →](tel:+1512000000) , Mon-Fri 8 AM-8 PM · Sat 9 AM-6 PM · Sun 12-5 PM. Free, same day during hours ## Get my shortlist Step 1 of 3 ### Thanks, we have your details. We'll call or text the same day during hours with your shortlist plan. Straight answers ## Income-Restricted: questions renters ask Direct answer first, then the source and date. If your question isn't here, ask us on the form or by text. ### What is the 60% AMI income limit for 2 people in Travis County? $64,560, from the TDHCA 2026 income limits for Travis County. Limits differ by household size and by AMI tier. ### What is the maximum rent on a 60% AMI two-bedroom? $1,815 a month under the TDHCA 2026 Travis County figures. Buildings may charge less; utility allowances can affect the rent you pay. ### Do new Austin apartments have to accept housing vouchers? Buildings owned through a housing finance corporation must accept vouchers (Loc. Gov't Code §394.9026, HB 21). Cities can't require voucher acceptance otherwise (§250.007), so we confirm it per building. ### Do move-in specials apply to income-restricted units? Sometimes not. Some buildings exclude restricted units from specials because the rent is already capped. We confirm per building and compare it with market-rate units in the same building. ### What does 'Some units: essential housing (income-qualified)' mean? It's the label we put on cards where a building sets aside some units for income-qualified households. The rest of the building leases at market rate. ### Is there a minimum income too? Often yes. Buildings still apply a rent multiple, commonly about 3x the rent, even on income-restricted units. We pre-check both the maximum and the minimum. ### Can you guarantee a price or approval? No. The community sets price and certifies eligibility. We confirm the terms in writing before you sign. Guides ## Guides for income-restricted ![Bright new apartment living room with sage accents and oak floors](/images/featured/bright-new-apartment-living-room-with-sage-accents.webp) Explainer ### Who Qualifies for Income-Restricted Units: 60% AMI Limits in Travis County TDHCA 2026: 60% AMI for 2 persons is $64,560, and the 60% max 2BR rent is $1,815 in Travis County. How to check eligibility and which documents you'll need. Read the guide → [Who Qualifies for Income-Restricted Units: 60% AMI Limits in Travis County →](/guides/income-restricted-eligibility-travis-county/) ![Exterior of a new mid-rise apartment building in Austin with a limestone base](/images/featured/exterior-of-a-new-mid-rise-apartment-building-in-a.webp) Explainer ### Using a Housing Voucher at a New Austin-Area Apartment HFC buildings must accept vouchers (§394.9026). FY2027 FMR 1BR $1,530; AHA payment standard 1BR $1,650. Where vouchers work at new buildings. Read the guide → [Using a Housing Voucher at a New Austin-Area Apartment →](/guides/housing-voucher-new-apartments/) Related guides ## Every Income-Restricted guide - ExplainerUsing a Housing Voucher at a New Austin-Area Apartment→ [/guides/housing-voucher-new-apartments/ →](/guides/housing-voucher-new-apartments/) - ExplainerWho Qualifies for Income-Restricted Units: 60% AMI Limits in Travis County→ [/guides/income-restricted-eligibility-travis-county/ →](/guides/income-restricted-eligibility-travis-county/) - Decision guideIncome-Restricted vs. Market-Rate Unit in the Same New Building→ [/guides/income-restricted-vs-market-rate/ →](/guides/income-restricted-vs-market-rate/) Related pages ## Related board views Board view ### New Build Board Every in-scope community on one map, with base rent, the special, net effective, true monthly, and year two pulled every morning. Open New Build Board→ [/new-construction-apartments/ →](/new-construction-apartments/) Board view ### Lease-Ups Buildings already open and filling, sorted by stage and fill estimate, with what's finished and what the special does to your monthly cost. Open Lease-Ups→ [/lease-up-apartments/ →](/lease-up-apartments/) Board view ### Specials Specials confirmed within the last 7 days, each decoded to net effective and year two, with base rent shown beside every discount. Open Specials→ [/apartment-specials/ →](/apartment-specials/) ![](/images/misc/dusk-view-of-new-limestone-and-glass-apartment-tow.webp) Free to you, and your rent is the same either way ## You don't have time to call 20 leasing offices. We do. Send us your move date and all-in budget. We confirm the unit, the special, and the written fee sheet the same day during hours, then show you year two before you tour. Get my shortlist → [/contact/ →](/contact/) See the New Build Board [/new-construction-apartments/ →](/new-construction-apartments/) Call or text 512-000-000 [tel:+1512000000 →](tel:+1512000000) We don't guarantee pricing or approval. The community sets both, and we confirm them before you sign.