Affordable & Section 8 Housing in Greater San Antonio

This category covers 115 apartment complexes across Greater San Antonio that offer income-restricted units, project-based Section 8, or accept Housing Choice Voucher tenants. That includes everything from HUD-subsidized communities and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties to smaller privately owned complexes that simply agree to work with voucher holders. Rules, waitlists, and paperwork vary a lot by property, so it pays to know what you're looking at before you apply.

What this actually involves

Affordable housing programs tie your rent to your income, usually capping it around 30% of adjusted household income, or set fixed below-market rents tied to Area Median Income limits. Some complexes have on-site vouchers built into specific units. Others just accept vouchers you bring from the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) or a neighboring county's housing authority. Eligibility depends on household size, income limits, and sometimes citizenship or student status, and most properties run a rental history and background check on top of the income screening.

What to look for

Check whether the waitlist is open or closed, how long it's been running, and whether the complex is project-based (the subsidy stays with the unit) or voucher-based (the subsidy moves with you). Ask about utility allowances, pet policies, unit turnover time, and whether the property has had recent HUD inspection scores or code violations. A well-run affordable property should be maintained to the same standard as market-rate housing, not treated as an afterthought.

How we score listings

Our ratings weigh maintenance responsiveness, management communication, unit condition, and how accurately a complex represents its programs and wait times. Full detail on our process is on the methodology page.