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In determining an apartment complex and/or housing facility’s eligibility for inclusion in The Directory of Accessible Housing, the Fair Housing Council of Greater San Antonio considered whether the complex/facility participated in any housing programs funded by the local, state, or federal government. Many listings in The Directory participate in housing programs. To determine whether a particular housing facility participates in a housing program, please refer to The Directory’s Property Reference Guide or the individual property listings. The following housing programs are listed in The Directory:

SECTION 8 VOUCHER / TENANT-BASED HOUSING ASSISTANCE:
Generally administered by a local Housing Authority, this program allows qualified individuals to pay a percentage of their income (usually 30%, depending on family size and other factors) for rental housing. The Housing Authority or program pays the remainder of the rent directly to the housing provider. Once a consumer is accepted into the Section 8 voucher program, he/she receives a packet of information that explains the maximum amount of rent that the voucher will provide. The consumer then has a set amount of time to look for suitable housing that accepts Section 8 vouchers. Once the consumer has found a potential rental unit, he/she must have the unit inspected by the Housing Authority or program administering the voucher. If the unit passes inspection, the Housing Authority or program negotiates a rent amount with the landlord, the paperwork is completed, and the consumer moves into the unit. The consumer is now a tenant and is responsible for the portion of rent determined by the Housing Authority. Providing that the tenant continues to meet the eligibility criteria and fulfills the lease term successfully, he/she can choose to move and still receive the Section 8 voucher assistance. You can apply for the Section 8 voucher program at the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) located at 818 S. Flores, San Antonio, Texas or call SAHA at (210) 277-3500. If you are disabled, you can apply for SAHA’s Section 8 voucher program by calling the Center On Independent Living at (210) 599-7711, extension 111. The Bexar County Housing Authority (BCHA) also issues Section 8 vouchers for persons interested in renting housing in areas outside of San Antonio’s city limits that are not served by SAHA. To apply, contact the Bexar County Housing Authority at (210) 225-0071.

PROJECT-BASED HOUSING ASSISTANCE:
Housing providers that provide project-based housing assistance offer qualified housing consumers dwelling units at rent rates lower than conventional market rate rents. Consumers pay a set amount of rent, usually 30% of their income, depending on family size and other factors. The apartment complex receives this type of funding, not the tenant. Thus, if a tenant decides to move-out of the complex, he/she will give up the right to this housing assistance. If you are interested in renting an apartment at an apartment complex or other housing facility that provides project-based housing assistance, please contact the apartment complex or housing facility to determine if you qualify for their lower rate rents. If the apartment complex is owned by the San Antonio Housing Authority, all persons must apply at the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) located at 818 S. Flores, San Antonio, Texas or call SAHA at (210) 242-3880.

LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT (LIHTC) PROGRAM:
Some apartment complexes receive low-income housing tax credits to provide housing at a lower rental rate than the market rate. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) is the only entity in the state of Texas with the authority to allocate tax credits under this program. The apartment complexes that receive the tax credits set aside a certain percentage of units for eligible low-income families and lease these units at below market rate rents. Consumers can obtain a complete listing of the properties that receive low-income housing tax credits by contacting the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs at (512) 475-3800 or accessing their website at www.tdhca.state.tx.us.

HOME PROGRAM
The HOME Program helps to develop affordable housing for low-income families by providing grants to State and local governments. State and local governments use the funds for projects including new construction, rehabilitation, assistance to homebuyers, and tenant-based rental assistance. Tenant-based rental assistance follows the tenant and gives him/her the ability to choose from different housing providers. Providers of this type of housing assistance usually include city programs and city and county Housing Authorities. Consumers can obtain a complete listing of the properties that receive this funding by contacting the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs