What is the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program?

Photo of a modern apartment community with landscaping and porches.

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program allows low and moderate-income renters to pay rent at an affordable rate. It is administered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

LIHTC participants have a unit assigned to them by a federal housing authority, property owner, or private property management company.

How Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Apartments Work

For LIHTC apartments, the monthly rent is not adjusted by income, but it is lower than the market rate. There are also minimum income requirements, so low-income renters may not qualify for some LIHTC properties. And when looking for housing, the frequency of waiting list openings varies, depending on the area.

So, when there’s an opportunity to apply, it’s important to know the basics before submitting an application.

To learn more about the LIHTC program, start by reviewing how the qualifications for LIHTC apartments: