{"id":1883,"date":"2026-07-27T14:03:57","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T14:03:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/?p=1883"},"modified":"2026-08-05T12:19:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T12:19:02","slug":"affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/","title":{"rendered":"Affordable and income-restricted housing on RentCafe: What to know before you apply"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group cmw-tip-v2\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading cmw-tip-v2-heading\" id=\"h-summary\">Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can filter your apartment search on RentCafe to show only affordable and income-restricted homes. You can check whether you qualify based on your household size and local income limits, then complete the entire application online \u2014 including your documents, background and credit check and lease signing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/what-is-rentcafe-and-how-does-it-work\/\">RentCafe<\/a> lets you search for affordable housing from any device \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/is-rentcafe-free\/\">completely free<\/a> and no account needed. Filter your results to show only income-restricted properties and take online apartment tours to explore your options at your own pace. When you&#8217;re ready to apply, you&#8217;ll create a free RentCafe account to complete and track your application online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/how-to-apply-for-an-apartment-on-rentcafe\/\">applying for an apartment<\/a> for the first time or exploring your options, here\u2019s how to find affordable listings on RentCafe, what to expect from the application and how waitlists work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-on-rentcafe\">What is affordable and income-restricted housing on RentCafe?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Affordable and income-restricted housing refers to rental properties where rent is set below market rate for households that meet specific income requirements. These properties participate in government-supported programs that cap how much rent you pay based on your household size and income level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On RentCafe, affordable housing listings come from properties that participate in programs such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.huduser.gov\/portal\/datasets\/lihtc.html\">Low-income tax credit<\/a> (LIHTC)<\/strong> \u2013 the most common affordable housing program in the U.S.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usa.gov\/housing-voucher-section-8\">Section 8 housing<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 federally subsidized housing overseen by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/nhc.org\/policy-guide\/federal-rental-and-homeownership-programs\/federal-housing-block-grant-programs\/\">HOME<\/a> <\/strong>\u2013 a federal program that supports affordable housing in local communities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rural development<\/strong> \u2013 affordable housing in rural areas, supported by the USDA<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Local programs<\/strong> \u2013 city or state-level affordability initiatives<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Some properties offer both affordable and market-rate apartments, so you may see both options at the same location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-do-i-apply-for-affordable-housing-on-rentcafe\">How do I apply for affordable housing on RentCafe?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can apply for affordable housing on RentCafe without leaving your home. The online application guides you through the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-how-to wp-block-yoast-how-to-block\"><p class=\"schema-how-to-description\">Here&#8217;s a step-by-step guide:<\/p> <ol class=\"schema-how-to-steps\"><li class=\"schema-how-to-step\" id=\"how-to-step-1775136863610\"><strong class=\"schema-how-to-step-name\">Filter for affordable listings<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-how-to-step-text\">Go to RentCafe.com and search for apartments in your desired city or area. Click \u201cProperty type,\u201d select \u201cAffordable,\u201d then click \u201cDone.\u201d This filters your results to show only affordable and income-restricted properties.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"520\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2026\/06\/Search-page-affordable-filter-desktop.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2026\/06\/Search-page-affordable-filter-desktop.png 1440w, https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2026\/06\/Search-page-affordable-filter-desktop.png?resize=300,108 300w, https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2026\/06\/Search-page-affordable-filter-desktop.png?resize=768,277 768w, https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2026\/06\/Search-page-affordable-filter-desktop.png?resize=1024,370 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/p> <\/li><li class=\"schema-how-to-step\" id=\"how-to-step-1775721265316\"><strong class=\"schema-how-to-step-name\">Start your application<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-how-to-step-text\">Once you find an affordable listing you like, click on it to request a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/tour-apartments-online\/\">tour<\/a>, get more details or start your application \u2014 all from the listing page. You can begin the online application on any device and complete it at your own pace.<\/p> <\/li><li class=\"schema-how-to-step\" id=\"how-to-step-1775721271002\"><strong class=\"schema-how-to-step-name\">Provide household and income details<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-how-to-step-text\">You&#8217;ll be asked about who lives with you, how much you earn and any assets and expenses. To qualify for affordable housing or income-restricted housing, your household income must stay within the limits set for your area and household size.<\/p> <\/li><li class=\"schema-how-to-step\" id=\"how-to-step-1781779679393\"><strong class=\"schema-how-to-step-name\">Review and fix any flagged items<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-how-to-step-text\">Before you submit, RentCafe checks your application for missing or incomplete information and highlights anything that needs your attention.<\/p> <\/li><li class=\"schema-how-to-step\" id=\"how-to-step-1775721275579\"><strong class=\"schema-how-to-step-name\">Complete your screening<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-how-to-step-text\">Your application may include a background and credit check, which is handled online. This step helps confirm your eligibility for the property.<\/p> <\/li><li class=\"schema-how-to-step\" id=\"how-to-step-1781779752852\"><strong class=\"schema-how-to-step-name\">Pay your application fee<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-how-to-step-text\">If the property charges an application fee, you can pay it securely online through RentCafe.<\/p> <\/li><li class=\"schema-how-to-step\" id=\"how-to-step-1781779770297\"><strong class=\"schema-how-to-step-name\">Sign documents electronically<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-how-to-step-text\">You and any adult members of your household can typically sign required documents electronically through RentCafe, reducing the need for printing or office visits. Some properties or states may still require printed signatures \u2014 check your listing or ask the property for details.<\/p> <\/li><li class=\"schema-how-to-step\" id=\"how-to-step-1781779791681\"><strong class=\"schema-how-to-step-name\">Submit your application<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-how-to-step-text\">Once you&#8217;ve completed all the steps, submit your application. The property manager will review it and reach out to you with the next steps.<\/p> <\/li><\/ol><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group cmw-tip-v2\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"cmw-tip-v2-heading\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A property may require your income to fall below 50% or 60% of the Area Media Income (AMI) for your household size. Most properties also set a minimum income requirement of 2.5 to 3 times the monthly rent. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>You don&#8217;t need to calculate your AMI \u2014 these income limits are published annually by HUD for every area and household size. When you apply through RentCafe, the system will check your reported income against the applicable limits to determine your eligibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-do-i-need-to-qualify-for-affordable-housing\">What do I need to qualify for affordable housing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you qualify depends on the property and program. Here&#8217;s what most affordable housing applications require:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Income limits<\/strong>: Your total household income before taxes must fall within the property&#8217;s maximum income limit. These limits are based on your household size and the median income for your area, and they vary by program.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Minimum income: <\/strong>Many properties require your gross income to be at least 2.5 to 3 times the monthly rent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Household size:<\/strong> Your income limit goes up or down depending on how many people are in your household.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Documents:<\/strong> You&#8217;ll typically need proof of income (such as pay stubs, tax returns or benefit statements), a government-issued ID and Social Security information for all adult household members. Your property will specify the documents required.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group cmw-tip-v2\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>Having your documents ready before you begin can save time and help your application move forward without delays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"cmw-tip-v2-heading\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-if-the-property-has-a-waitlist\">What if the property has a waitlist?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some affordable properties use waitlists. Instead of applying for a specific apartment, you join the waitlist and the property contacts you when a unit becomes available. You can then complete your application through RentCafe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Waitlist timelines vary by location and how many people are looking. In high-demand areas, wait times can range from several months to over a year. Applying to multiple properties can improve your chances of being placed sooner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-if-i-can-t-apply-online\">What if I can&#8217;t apply online?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re having trouble applying online \u2014 whether it&#8217;s a technical issue, limited internet access or difficulty with the process \u2014 the property&#8217;s management team can help. In many cases, the property may be able to fill out and submit the application for you. Reach out to the property directly to ask about other ways to apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ready to find affordable housing? Search for apartments on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\">RentCafe.com<\/a> and filter by \u201cAffordable\u201d to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group cmw-faq\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-faq\">FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1774953311468\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is it free to search for affordable housing on RentCafe?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. Searching and browsing affordable housing listings on RentCafe is completely free.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1781780743940\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can I apply from my phone?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. You can start, save and complete your application on your phone, tablet or computer.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1775721405800\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How do I know if I qualify for income-restricted housing?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Each property sets its own limits based on household size and program type. Contact the property or check the listing for its specific income requirements \u2014 some listings show income details directly, while others require reaching out to the property manager.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1781780649635\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can I apply to more than one affordable property at a time?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. You can submit applications or join waitlists at multiple properties through RentCafe. Applying to several communities can increase your chances of finding housing sooner, especially in high-demand areas.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1781780670471\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What happens after I submit my application?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The property manager reviews your application, verifies your eligibility and may request additional documentation. If approved, you\u2019ll receive next steps for signing your lease and preparing to move in \u2014 all through RentCafe.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Summary You can filter your apartment search on RentCafe to show only affordable and income-restricted homes. You can check whether you qualify based on your household size and local income limits, then complete the entire application online \u2014 including your documents, background and credit check and lease signing. RentCafe lets you search for affordable housing&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":757,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32,25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1883","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-apply-for-a-rental","category-search-apartments"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Applying for affordable or income-restricted housing | RentCafe Help center<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Affordable and income-restricted housing on RentCafe: What to know before you apply\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Summary You can filter your apartment search on RentCafe to show only affordable and income-restricted homes. You can check whether you qualify based on your household size and local income limits, then complete the entire application online \u2014 including your documents, background and credit check and lease signing. RentCafe lets you search for affordable housing&hellip;\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"RentCafe Help center\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-07-27T14:03:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-05T12:19:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2026\/06\/Search-page-affordable-filter-desktop.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Veronica Grecu\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Veronica Grecu\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/159949bd3f979917cc7bf081d749b862\"},\"headline\":\"Affordable and income-restricted housing on RentCafe: What to know before you apply\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-27T14:03:57+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-05T12:19:02+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1162,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/107\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/Search-page-affordable-filter-desktop.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Apply for a rental\",\"Search apartments\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/\",\"name\":\"Applying for affordable or income-restricted housing | RentCafe Help center\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/107\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/Search-page-affordable-filter-desktop.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-27T14:03:57+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-05T12:19:02+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/159949bd3f979917cc7bf081d749b862\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"mainEntity\":[{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#faq-question-1774953311468\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#faq-question-1781780743940\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#faq-question-1775721405800\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#faq-question-1781780649635\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#faq-question-1781780670471\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/107\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/Search-page-affordable-filter-desktop.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/107\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/Search-page-affordable-filter-desktop.png\",\"width\":1440,\"height\":520},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"RentCafe Help center\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Applying and moving in\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/applying-and-moving-in\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Apply for a rental\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/applying-and-moving-in\\\/apply-for-a-rental\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Affordable and income-restricted housing on RentCafe: What to know before you apply\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/\",\"name\":\"RentCafe Help center\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/159949bd3f979917cc7bf081d749b862\",\"name\":\"Veronica Grecu\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/80725293fffbe6b07f6ff00542d6bfaa59845d610f2afc08f9222dbf14475a29?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/80725293fffbe6b07f6ff00542d6bfaa59845d610f2afc08f9222dbf14475a29?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/80725293fffbe6b07f6ff00542d6bfaa59845d610f2afc08f9222dbf14475a29?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Veronica Grecu\"},\"description\":\"Veronica Grecu is a senior creative writer and research analyst for RentCafe. With more than 14 years of experience in the real estate industry, she covers a variety of topics in the apartment market, including rental competitiveness, new construction and other industry trends. Her work has been featured in top publications like The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Miami Herald, CNN, CNBC, and more. Prior to RentCafe, Veronica was involved in producing real estate content for Multi-Housing News, Commercial Property Executive and Yardi Matrix. She holds a B.A. in Applied Modern Languages and an M.A. in Advertising and PR.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/author\\\/veronicagrecu\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#faq-question-1774953311468\",\"position\":1,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#faq-question-1774953311468\",\"name\":\"Is it free to search for affordable housing on RentCafe?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. Searching and browsing affordable housing listings on RentCafe is completely free.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#faq-question-1781780743940\",\"position\":2,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#faq-question-1781780743940\",\"name\":\"Can I apply from my phone?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. You can start, save and complete your application on your phone, tablet or computer.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#faq-question-1775721405800\",\"position\":3,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#faq-question-1775721405800\",\"name\":\"How do I know if I qualify for income-restricted housing?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Each property sets its own limits based on household size and program type. Contact the property or check the listing for its specific income requirements \u2014 some listings show income details directly, while others require reaching out to the property manager.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#faq-question-1781780649635\",\"position\":4,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#faq-question-1781780649635\",\"name\":\"Can I apply to more than one affordable property at a time?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes. You can submit applications or join waitlists at multiple properties through RentCafe. Applying to several communities can increase your chances of finding housing sooner, especially in high-demand areas.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#faq-question-1781780670471\",\"position\":5,\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#faq-question-1781780670471\",\"name\":\"What happens after I submit my application?\",\"answerCount\":1,\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The property manager reviews your application, verifies your eligibility and may request additional documentation. If approved, you\u2019ll receive next steps for signing your lease and preparing to move in \u2014 all through RentCafe.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"HowTo\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#howto-1\",\"name\":\"Affordable and income-restricted housing on RentCafe: What to know before you apply\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#article\"},\"description\":\"Here's a step-by-step guide:\",\"step\":[{\"@type\":\"HowToStep\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#how-to-step-1775136863610\",\"name\":\"Filter for affordable listings\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"HowToDirection\",\"text\":\"Go to RentCafe.com and search for apartments in your desired city or area. Click \u201cProperty type,\u201d select \u201cAffordable,\u201d then click \u201cDone.\u201d This filters your results to show only affordable and income-restricted properties.\"}],\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#schema-image-f8be0eddc8a71b6d99cf5cc187cfe5a0\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/107\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/Search-page-affordable-filter-desktop.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/107\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/Search-page-affordable-filter-desktop.png\",\"width\":1440,\"height\":520}},{\"@type\":\"HowToStep\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#how-to-step-1775721265316\",\"name\":\"Start your application\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"HowToDirection\",\"text\":\"Once you find an affordable listing you like, click on it to request a tour, get more details or start your application \u2014 all from the listing page. You can begin the online application on any device and complete it at your own pace.\"}]},{\"@type\":\"HowToStep\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#how-to-step-1775721271002\",\"name\":\"Provide household and income details\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"HowToDirection\",\"text\":\"You'll be asked about who lives with you, how much you earn and any assets and expenses. To qualify for affordable housing or income-restricted housing, your household income must stay within the limits set for your area and household size.\"}]},{\"@type\":\"HowToStep\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#how-to-step-1781779679393\",\"name\":\"Review and fix any flagged items\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"HowToDirection\",\"text\":\"Before you submit, RentCafe checks your application for missing or incomplete information and highlights anything that needs your attention.\"}]},{\"@type\":\"HowToStep\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#how-to-step-1775721275579\",\"name\":\"Complete your screening\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"HowToDirection\",\"text\":\"Your application may include a background and credit check, which is handled online. This step helps confirm your eligibility for the property.\"}]},{\"@type\":\"HowToStep\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#how-to-step-1781779752852\",\"name\":\"Pay your application fee\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"HowToDirection\",\"text\":\"If the property charges an application fee, you can pay it securely online through RentCafe.\"}]},{\"@type\":\"HowToStep\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#how-to-step-1781779770297\",\"name\":\"Sign documents electronically\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"HowToDirection\",\"text\":\"You and any adult members of your household can typically sign required documents electronically through RentCafe, reducing the need for printing or office visits. Some properties or states may still require printed signatures \u2014 check your listing or ask the property for details.\"}]},{\"@type\":\"HowToStep\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rentcafe.com\\\/help\\\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\\\/#how-to-step-1781779791681\",\"name\":\"Submit your application\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"HowToDirection\",\"text\":\"Once you've completed all the steps, submit your application. The property manager will review it and reach out to you with the next steps.\"}]}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Applying for affordable or income-restricted housing | RentCafe Help center","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Affordable and income-restricted housing on RentCafe: What to know before you apply","og_description":"Summary You can filter your apartment search on RentCafe to show only affordable and income-restricted homes. You can check whether you qualify based on your household size and local income limits, then complete the entire application online \u2014 including your documents, background and credit check and lease signing. RentCafe lets you search for affordable housing&hellip;","og_url":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/","og_site_name":"RentCafe Help center","article_published_time":"2026-07-27T14:03:57+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-08-05T12:19:02+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2026\/06\/Search-page-affordable-filter-desktop.png","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"author":"Veronica Grecu","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/"},"author":{"name":"Veronica Grecu","@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/#\/schema\/person\/159949bd3f979917cc7bf081d749b862"},"headline":"Affordable and income-restricted housing on RentCafe: What to know before you apply","datePublished":"2026-07-27T14:03:57+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-05T12:19:02+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/"},"wordCount":1162,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2026\/06\/Search-page-affordable-filter-desktop.png","articleSection":["Apply for a rental","Search apartments"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":["WebPage","FAQPage"],"@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/","url":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/","name":"Applying for affordable or income-restricted housing | RentCafe Help center","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2026\/06\/Search-page-affordable-filter-desktop.png","datePublished":"2026-07-27T14:03:57+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-05T12:19:02+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/#\/schema\/person\/159949bd3f979917cc7bf081d749b862"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#breadcrumb"},"mainEntity":[{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#faq-question-1774953311468"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#faq-question-1781780743940"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#faq-question-1775721405800"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#faq-question-1781780649635"},{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#faq-question-1781780670471"}],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2026\/06\/Search-page-affordable-filter-desktop.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2026\/06\/Search-page-affordable-filter-desktop.png","width":1440,"height":520},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"RentCafe Help center","item":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Applying and moving in","item":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/applying-and-moving-in\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Apply for a rental","item":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/applying-and-moving-in\/apply-for-a-rental\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Affordable and income-restricted housing on RentCafe: What to know before you apply"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/","name":"RentCafe Help center","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/#\/schema\/person\/159949bd3f979917cc7bf081d749b862","name":"Veronica Grecu","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/80725293fffbe6b07f6ff00542d6bfaa59845d610f2afc08f9222dbf14475a29?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/80725293fffbe6b07f6ff00542d6bfaa59845d610f2afc08f9222dbf14475a29?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/80725293fffbe6b07f6ff00542d6bfaa59845d610f2afc08f9222dbf14475a29?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Veronica Grecu"},"description":"Veronica Grecu is a senior creative writer and research analyst for RentCafe. With more than 14 years of experience in the real estate industry, she covers a variety of topics in the apartment market, including rental competitiveness, new construction and other industry trends. Her work has been featured in top publications like The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Miami Herald, CNN, CNBC, and more. Prior to RentCafe, Veronica was involved in producing real estate content for Multi-Housing News, Commercial Property Executive and Yardi Matrix. She holds a B.A. in Applied Modern Languages and an M.A. in Advertising and PR.","url":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/author\/veronicagrecu\/"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#faq-question-1774953311468","position":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#faq-question-1774953311468","name":"Is it free to search for affordable housing on RentCafe?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Searching and browsing affordable housing listings on RentCafe is completely free.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#faq-question-1781780743940","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#faq-question-1781780743940","name":"Can I apply from my phone?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. You can start, save and complete your application on your phone, tablet or computer.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#faq-question-1775721405800","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#faq-question-1775721405800","name":"How do I know if I qualify for income-restricted housing?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Each property sets its own limits based on household size and program type. Contact the property or check the listing for its specific income requirements \u2014 some listings show income details directly, while others require reaching out to the property manager.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#faq-question-1781780649635","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#faq-question-1781780649635","name":"Can I apply to more than one affordable property at a time?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. You can submit applications or join waitlists at multiple properties through RentCafe. Applying to several communities can increase your chances of finding housing sooner, especially in high-demand areas.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#faq-question-1781780670471","position":5,"url":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#faq-question-1781780670471","name":"What happens after I submit my application?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The property manager reviews your application, verifies your eligibility and may request additional documentation. If approved, you\u2019ll receive next steps for signing your lease and preparing to move in \u2014 all through RentCafe.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"HowTo","@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#howto-1","name":"Affordable and income-restricted housing on RentCafe: What to know before you apply","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#article"},"description":"Here's a step-by-step guide:","step":[{"@type":"HowToStep","url":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#how-to-step-1775136863610","name":"Filter for affordable listings","itemListElement":[{"@type":"HowToDirection","text":"Go to RentCafe.com and search for apartments in your desired city or area. Click \u201cProperty type,\u201d select \u201cAffordable,\u201d then click \u201cDone.\u201d This filters your results to show only affordable and income-restricted properties."}],"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#schema-image-f8be0eddc8a71b6d99cf5cc187cfe5a0","url":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2026\/06\/Search-page-affordable-filter-desktop.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/107\/2026\/06\/Search-page-affordable-filter-desktop.png","width":1440,"height":520}},{"@type":"HowToStep","url":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#how-to-step-1775721265316","name":"Start your application","itemListElement":[{"@type":"HowToDirection","text":"Once you find an affordable listing you like, click on it to request a tour, get more details or start your application \u2014 all from the listing page. You can begin the online application on any device and complete it at your own pace."}]},{"@type":"HowToStep","url":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#how-to-step-1775721271002","name":"Provide household and income details","itemListElement":[{"@type":"HowToDirection","text":"You'll be asked about who lives with you, how much you earn and any assets and expenses. To qualify for affordable housing or income-restricted housing, your household income must stay within the limits set for your area and household size."}]},{"@type":"HowToStep","url":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#how-to-step-1781779679393","name":"Review and fix any flagged items","itemListElement":[{"@type":"HowToDirection","text":"Before you submit, RentCafe checks your application for missing or incomplete information and highlights anything that needs your attention."}]},{"@type":"HowToStep","url":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#how-to-step-1775721275579","name":"Complete your screening","itemListElement":[{"@type":"HowToDirection","text":"Your application may include a background and credit check, which is handled online. This step helps confirm your eligibility for the property."}]},{"@type":"HowToStep","url":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#how-to-step-1781779752852","name":"Pay your application fee","itemListElement":[{"@type":"HowToDirection","text":"If the property charges an application fee, you can pay it securely online through RentCafe."}]},{"@type":"HowToStep","url":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#how-to-step-1781779770297","name":"Sign documents electronically","itemListElement":[{"@type":"HowToDirection","text":"You and any adult members of your household can typically sign required documents electronically through RentCafe, reducing the need for printing or office visits. Some properties or states may still require printed signatures \u2014 check your listing or ask the property for details."}]},{"@type":"HowToStep","url":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/affordable-and-income-restricted-housing-what-to-know-before-you-apply\/#how-to-step-1781779791681","name":"Submit your application","itemListElement":[{"@type":"HowToDirection","text":"Once you've completed all the steps, submit your application. The property manager will review it and reach out to you with the next steps."}]}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1883","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/757"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1883"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1883\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2607,"href":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1883\/revisions\/2607"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1883"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1883"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/help\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1883"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}