# Using a Housing Voucher at a New Texas Apartment > Where vouchers are accepted at new builds: HFC buildings must accept them (§394.9026); cities can URL: https://newapartmentsfortworth.com/guide/using-a-housing-voucher-new-apartment/ Last-Modified: 2026-10-26 Guide # How to Use a Housing Voucher at a New Texas Apartment Where vouchers are accepted at new builds: HFC buildings must accept them (§394.9026), and cities can't otherwise require it (§250.007). How Small Area FMRs and FWHS 2026 payment standards work. Written by New Fort Worth Apartment Team [/about/#new-fort-worth-apartment-team →](/about/#new-fort-worth-apartment-team) · Updated October 26, 2026 ![Bright new apartment kitchen and living area with natural wood and white walls](/images/featured/bright-new-apartment-kitchen-and-living-area-with-.webp) ## Can you use a voucher at a new building? Sometimes, and it depends on the building. If you hold a Housing Choice Voucher and you’re looking at income-restricted new apartments [/income-restricted-new-apartments/ →](/income-restricted-new-apartments/) or market-rate ones, the first question is whether the community accepts vouchers. Texas law shapes the answer in two ways. - **HFC buildings must accept vouchers.** Under Texas Local Gov’t Code §394.9026, added by HB 21, buildings with a Housing Finance Corporation partnership must accept them. - **Otherwise, it’s the community’s choice.** Under §250.007, Texas cities can’t require landlords to accept vouchers. So some new buildings accept vouchers and some don’t. We label the ones that do. Inspire Homes Bonds Ranch in North Fort Worth is one that accepts them. ## How do payment standards work? A voucher pays part of the rent up to a payment standard. Fort Worth Housing Solutions (FWHS) uses Small Area Fair Market Rents, which set the standard by ZIP code instead of one number for the whole metro. That means the same voucher covers more rent in some ZIP codes than others. ![Payment standard range graphic by ZIP code](/images/content/payment-standard-range-graphic-by-zip-code-for-hou.webp) | FWHS 2026 one-bedroom payment standard | Amount | | --- | --- | | Low end (ZIP 76104) | $1,410 | | High end (ZIP 76244) | $2,000 | The building’s ZIP code matters, so we check it against the standard for your bedroom size before you apply. > **Waitlists at last check** > > FWHS, Tarrant County, and Grand Prairie voucher waitlists were closed at our last check. If you already hold a voucher, these steps apply now. ## What does the true monthly look like with a voucher? The voucher covers part of the rent. You pay the rest, plus anything the voucher doesn’t cover. At a new building, that can include required fees like bulk internet, valet trash, and pest service. We write out the whole monthly price, so you can see your share before you apply. ## What are the steps? 1. **Confirm the building accepts vouchers.** We ask the community in writing. 2. **Check the payment standard** for the building’s ZIP code and your bedroom size. 3. **Check the rent against the standard,** including any required fees. 4. **Pre-check documents** before paying an application fee. 5. **Coordinate the inspection.** The housing authority inspects the unit before the voucher contract starts. ## A labeled affordability check Here’s how we’d check whether a unit fits a voucher, with made-up numbers. | Line | Example | | --- | --- | | Payment standard for the ZIP and bedroom size | $1,500 | | Unit’s base rent | $1,450 | | Required fees | $95 | | Rent within the standard? | Yes, $1,450 is under $1,500 | | Fees you’d likely pay | $95 a month | In this example, the rent fits under the standard, and the required fees are a separate line to plan for. Your share of rent depends on your household income and the housing authority’s rules, so we’d confirm it with your caseworker. If the rent is above the payment standard, the housing authority’s rules decide whether the unit can be approved and what you’d pay. Check before you apply. ## How does this fit with income limits? Some buildings have both income-restricted units and voucher acceptance. If so, your household may need to meet the building’s AMI band too. Our guide on income limits [/guide/tarrant-county-income-limits-2026/ →](/guide/tarrant-county-income-limits-2026/) has the 2026 Tarrant County figures. If you hold a voucher, ask us which buildings accept vouchers [/contact/ →](/contact/) . Send your bedroom size and move date, and we’ll send a same-day list, with the payment standard for each ZIP code. We follow the Fair Housing Act and don’t steer by any protected class. ## Learn more about Income-Restricted New Apartments We'll text you within minutes during our hours, then send a same-day shortlist. See the page [/income-restricted-new-apartments/ →](/income-restricted-new-apartments/) ## Questions renters ask about this ### Do new Fort Worth apartments accept vouchers? HFC buildings must, under Texas Local Gov't Code §394.9026. Other buildings may choose to. We label which ones do. ### What's the FWHS 1BR payment standard for 2026? It ranges from $1,410 in ZIP 76104 to $2,000 in ZIP 76244, because FWHS uses Small Area Fair Market Rents. ### Are voucher waitlists open? FWHS, Tarrant County, and Grand Prairie waitlists were closed at our last check. We'll note it if that changes. ### Can a city require landlords to accept vouchers? Not in Texas. Local Gov't Code §250.007 bars cities from requiring it, apart from rules like the HFC requirement. ### Do you guarantee the price or my approval? No. The community sets both pricing and approval, and we confirm them in writing before you sign. ## Related guides Guide ### Who Qualifies: 2026 Tarrant County Income Limits for New Apartments TDHCA's 2026 Tarrant County limits: MFI $110,300; 60% AMI for a 2-person household is $52,980; max 60% rent is $1,242 for a 1BR and $1,489 for a 2BR. How to check eligibility before you apply. [Who Qualifies: 2026 Tarrant County Income Limits for New Apartments →](/guide/tarrant-county-income-limits-2026/) Guide ### PFC, LIHTC, and Workforce Housing: What the Labels Mean What PFC, HFC, LIHTC, workforce, and attainable mean on new Fort Worth apartment listings, which buildings on our board carry each label, and how the labels show on cards. [PFC, LIHTC, and Workforce Housing: What the Labels Mean →](/guide/pfc-lihtc-workforce-housing-labels/) ## Where to use this ![Modern mid-rise apartment entrance with a warm wood canopy](/images/content/modern-mid-rise-apartment-entrance-with-warm-wood-.webp) Find ### Income-Restricted New Apartments New communities with income-restricted units, labeled above the price and never pushed or hidden. Open [Income-Restricted New Apartments →](/income-restricted-new-apartments/) ![Aerial view of new apartment communities across the Fort Worth side](/images/content/aerial-view-of-new-apartment-communities-spread-ac.webp) Find ### New Build Board A map and cards for every new community in scope, with the whole price on each card. Open [New Build Board →](/new-construction-apartments/) ![Printed move-in special flyer beside a calculator and lease folder](/images/content/printed-apartment-move-in-special-flyer-beside-a-c.webp) Find ### Fort Worth Apartment Specials Confirmed move-in specials at new buildings, each with base and year two beside it. Open [Fort Worth Apartment Specials →](/fort-worth-apartment-specials/) Free to you · Your rent is the same either way ## Get the whole price before you tour Tell us your move date, budget, and where you need to be. We'll make the calls, collect the fee sheets, and do the math for every building that fits. Get my shortlist [/contact/ →](/contact/) See the New Build Board [/new-construction-apartments/ →](/new-construction-apartments/) What happens next: We'll text you within minutes during our hours, then send a same-day shortlist. We don't guarantee pricing or approval. The community sets both, and we confirm them before you sign.