Table of Contents
Finding affordable, accessible housing is difficult. There are many types of housing assistance available and trying to understand them all can be confusing. This resource doesn’t cover everything, but it explains the most common types of housing assistance available.
Types of Affordable Housing
Subsidized Housing
With subsidized housing, you pay 30% of your income for the housing. Below are the different types of subsidized housing.
- Public Housing: These properties are run by the local public housing authority. You can find information about local public housing authorities in the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Public Housing Authority Contact Report (PDF).
- Housing Choice Vouchers: This program, sometimes called “Section 8,” is run by public housing authorities and it lets people use a voucher to rent an apartment or home.
- Other Federally Subsidized Housing: Run by company or non-profit
- You must qualify for the units.
- Numerous special programs. Some include housing for persons that are 62 years or older, people with disabilities, or properties that are located in rural areas.
Tax Credit Properties
Tax Credit Properties have rents that are below the average for the area but the amount you pay is not based on your income. There are income limits and other restrictions, so check with the property for qualifications.
Where to Find Affordable Housing
You can use the HUD Resource Locator or the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs’ (TDHCA) Help for Texans tool.
The HUD Resource Locator will show you more results than TDHCA’s Help for Texans tool. Although there may be some overlap with Public Housing Authorities, TDHCA’s Help for Texans tool includes other entities that receive funding that the HUD Resource Locator does not.
Our How to Use the HUD Resource Locator is a step-by-step guide that walks you through how to use the HUD tool.
HUD Resource Locator
TDHCA Help for Texans tool
Published: October 21, 2026
Publication Code: HS31
www.DRTx.org
Statewide Intake: 1-800-252-9108
Sign Language Video Phone: 1-866-362-2851
Purple 2 Video Phone: 512-271-9391
Online Intake available 24/7: intake.DRTx.org
Disclaimer: Disability Rights Texas strives to update its materials on an annual basis, and this handout is based upon the law at the time it was written. The law changes frequently and is subject to various interpretations by different courts. Future changes in the law may make some information in this handout inaccurate.
The handout is not intended to and does not replace an attorney’s advice or assistance based on your particular situation.
To request this handout in ASL, Braille, or as an audio file, contact us.