What are income-restricted new apartments?
Some new buildings set a maximum household income for some or all units. Most use the federal LIHTC program, run in Texas by the TDHCA. Others come from local partnerships like a Public Facility Corporation (PFC) or a Housing Finance Corporation (HFC).
Income limits are set as a share of Area Median Income (AMI). In Harris County, 60% AMI for a 2-person household is $49,920 (TDHCA 2026). The 60% maximum rent is $1,170 for a one-bedroom and $1,404 for a two-bedroom.
We label every restricted building with a source and a date. Labels are factual and filterable. We never push or hide a building based on who can rent there.
Which new buildings carry income labels?
As of Oct 25, 2026, these tracked new builds set income limits on every unit:
- The Pointe at Bayou Bend
- Summit at Renaissance Park
- Oakwood Trails (also 62+)
- Park Boulevard Lofts
- Tapestry Orem (TDHCA lists it as Landing at Orem)
These are marked [confirm] while we verify the program: The Aurea (income-based, program unnamed), One Town Park, Memorial at Six and Vista Williams Ranch (some units).
Some market-rate buildings also hold income-restricted units in market-rate buildings, sometimes called mixed-income apartments. Their cards show both labels.
Why restricted buildings don’t set area prices
In our area tables, restricted buildings never set the from price cell. Their rents follow program limits, not the market, so including them would make an area look cheaper than it is for most renters.
How do income limits and rent limits work?
Two numbers matter.
- The income limit. Your total household income has to be at or below the program’s AMI percentage for your household size. Common tiers are 30% AMI, 50% AMI, 60% AMI and 80% AMI.
- The rent limit. The unit’s rent is capped by bedroom count at that tier.
Many restricted buildings also apply a minimum income test, often a multiple of the rent. So you can be over the maximum or under the minimum. We check both before you pay a fee.
Rent limits differ from Fair Market Rent (FMR), which HUD uses for vouchers. For FY2027, the Houston 1BR FMR is $1,261, and Small Area FMR values are used in this market.
Do new buildings accept housing vouchers?
PFC and HFC buildings must accept a Housing Choice Voucher under HB 2071 and HB 21 (Texas Local Government Code §394.9026). Cities can’t require voucher acceptance otherwise (§250.007), so other buildings may choose. The Houston Housing Authority halted new PFC deals in April 2025.
We note voucher acceptance on cards where the community confirms it. Payment standards change, so we mark them [verify] until we confirm the current figure.
What does applying look like?
Restricted units need income certification. You’ll share proof of all household income, assets and IDs. The timeline varies by community, and some keep a waitlist.
We share each community’s document list and timeline up front. Then we pre-check your household size and income against the limit, so you only apply where you qualify.
How do I get a pre-check?
Send us your move date, household size, size of unit and budget. We’ll check the labels and limits for each building and reply the same day during hours. It’s free to you, and your rent is the same either way.
