Who can rent an income-restricted unit?
Income-restricted units are set aside for households under an income limit. If your household qualifies, the rent is capped for that unit. Our list of income-restricted new apartments labels each building’s program above the price. This guide covers the limits that decide who qualifies.
The limits come from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), which publishes income and rent limits each year by county. They’re based on Area Median Income, or AMI.
What are the 2026 Tarrant County numbers?
Here are the figures we use, from TDHCA’s 2026 tables for Tarrant County:
| Measure | 2026 value |
|---|---|
| Median family income (MFI) | $110,300 |
| 60% AMI income limit, 2-person household | $52,980 |
| Max 60% rent, 1 bedroom | $1,242 a month |
| Max 60% rent, 2 bedrooms | $1,489 a month |
Income limits change with household size, and each AMI band has its own row. A 2-person household at 60% AMI can earn up to $52,980. A 1-person household’s limit is lower, and a 4-person household’s is higher. TDHCA’s full table lists every size and band, and we check your household against it.
How do AMI bands work?
Each building, and sometimes each unit, is set at an AMI band. Common bands are 30%, 50%, 60%, and 80%. Your household must be at or under the band’s income limit. The rent cap also follows the band and the bedroom count.
On our board, bands vary. Clifton Riverside, a LIHTC community, has 79 of 94 units at 30% to 60% AMI. The Crawford uses 60% and 80%. Workforce and attainable programs often sit nearer 80%. Some bands are still being confirmed. Our guide on what the labels mean explains each program.
Rent caps and fees
The max rent is a cap on rent. Required fees and utilities may still apply on top, so we write out the true monthly for restricted units too.
How do you check before you apply?
Here’s the order we’d follow:
- Count your household. Everyone who’ll live in the unit.
- Add up gross income. Wages and most benefits, before taxes.
- Find the building’s band. We confirm it with the community.
- Compare with the TDHCA limit for that band and household size.
- Gather documents for income certification before paying any fee.
If you’re close to a limit, tell us. A different band at another building may fit.
Documents you’ll likely need
Income certification asks for proof of everyone’s income in the household. Gathering these before you apply speeds things up:
- Recent pay stubs, often the last 30 to 60 days
- An offer letter if you’re starting a new job
- Benefit award letters, such as Social Security or disability
- Recent bank statements
- Tax returns if you’re self-employed
- Child support or alimony documentation, if received
| Household change | What to tell the community |
|---|---|
| Someone moves in | Add them before they move in; their income counts |
| Income rises during the lease | Follow the program’s recertification rules |
| A new job starts after you apply | Share the offer letter |
Each program has its own recertification schedule, often yearly. We’d ask the community how it works before you sign.
Can you combine income limits with a voucher?
Sometimes. A Housing Choice Voucher helps pay rent, and some new buildings accept vouchers. HFC buildings must. Our guide on using a voucher covers payment standards and which waitlists are open.
Tell us your household size, income range, and move date. We’ll send a same-day list of buildings whose bands fit, with the whole price written out. We follow the Fair Housing Act and don’t steer by any protected class.
