AffordableHousingOnline

Affordable Housing Online is monitoring the federal government's response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. As of March 13, 2020, Public Housing Agencies across the nation are closing their doors to the public. Most offices are still running and will communicate by phone, email, or mail. Some offices have drop boxes installed outside, so documents can still be hand-delivered. Visit the housing authority's website for the latest on its current operations, if one is available. If there is no information online, contact the housing authority directly. Due to a high volume of calls and modified office hours in most areas, expect a long wait time (days or weeks) for a response. To find your local PHA's contact info, browse by state here.

An extensive list of coronavirus resources for low-income households can be found here.

Read Affordable Housing Online's Resource for Coronavirus (COVID-19)

What Is the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program?

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program helps create affordable apartment communities with lower than market rents by offering tax incentives to the property owners (not the tenant renting the unit). Properties may contain market rate units that are not financially assisted, in addition to reduced rent LIHTC units under a tiered rent structure. A tiered rent structure means that it’s possible for the same unit to have different rent amounts for occupants with different incomes. Private management companies and individual owners manage these low-income housing apartment communities. LIHTC units may also have a rental subsidy program attached to them, such as the Project-Based Section 8 program.

Start the guide at Part 1: How Do I Know If I'm Eligible for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program? or choose a topic from the list below.

Low Income Housing Tax Credit Guide

  1. How Do I Know If I'm Eligible for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program?
    1. Confirm that you meet the basic qualifications.
    2. Calculate your household’s income.
    3. Determine if there are any restrictions and/or preferences.
    4. Be aware of common factors that may disqualify an application.
  2. How Do I Find an Available Low Income Housing Tax Credit Apartment?
  3. How Do I Apply to a Low Income Housing Tax Credit Apartment?
    1. Obtain the application.
    2. Complete the application.
    3. Submit the application.
  4. What Happens After Applying to a Low Income Housing Tax Credit Apartment?
    1. Wait for the housing office to process applications.
    2. Confirm your waiting list status.
    3. Estimate your wait time.
    4. Stay in contact with the housing office.
    5. Move Into Offered Unit.