Welcome to our FAQ page! We’ve gathered the most common questions our community members and prospects ask, to provide you with quick and helpful answers. Whether you’re looking for details about leasing or qualification requirements, you’ll find all the essential information here. If you still have questions after browsing, feel free to reach out to us directly—we’re here to help!
You will need to provide proof of income (such as pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements), identification, and possibly documentation of any other financial assistance you receive.
Income documents may vary by program, but review the below for a list of likely required documents to procure for your application.
Employment Income:
Wages, salaries, overtime, tips, bonuses and commissions, tax return transcripts, tax forms.
Social Security:
Pension, retirement income, SSI, disability benefits, VA benefits, unemployment benefits.
IRA, 401(k) withdrawals, alimony, child support.
Assets:
Income from rental properties, investment income, dividends, interest, stocks, bonds.
Miscellaneous income:
Gift money if regular (from family members or friends, Churches, charities), lottery winnings if regular and ongoing, life insurance payouts if ongoing, trust fund payments.
Housing subsidies or housing allowances (Section 8)
Educational income (in some cases):
Scholarships, grants, educational stipends if they are not tied to tuition.
ARCH Income Documents required link: ARCH Renter Guide
MFTE/MHA Income Documents required link: MFTE & MHA Guide
LIHTC Income Documents required link: LIHTC Resources
Section 8 resources: Housing Authority
Generally speaking, students are not eligible for LIHTC housing. There are exceptions where full-time students may qualify. Exceptions may include a student who is married and files a joint tax return with their spouse, is a single parent with dependents. There may be more exceptions which should be discussed with the community manager of the location of interest.
Students may be eligible for MFTE, ARCH and MHA housing as long as the household meets the income qualifications for both the program & community in which they are applying at.
The process time varies by household. After submitting your online application, contact the community for next steps. Typically, you’ll need to provide income proof from the last 3-6 months and fill out a packet based on the program offered at the community you are applying for. You can schedule a meeting with a team member for any questions and to fill out the packet in person, if preferred. Once your documents are submitted, the review process usually takes 1 to 4 weeks. If more information is needed, the team will contact you directly.
Any person residing in the home as an occupant counts as a household member, regardless of age.
Yes, you can have a roommate, but the combined income of all household members must still fall within the income limits set for the specific community program. The income of everyone living in the home will be considered when determining eligibility. All applicants over 18 must also pass standard screening to be eligible to live at the community.
It depends on the specific community and program. Some community programs may include one parking space and all utilities in the rent, while others require tenants to pay for a parking space, electricity only, or other utilities separately. Be sure to ask the community manager what is included in the rent.
Communities require tenants to recertify their income annually to ensure they still meet the program’s income requirements. The management team will provide instructions on how to complete the recertification process prior to your initial lease expiration. Upon recertification approval, you will have the option to renew your lease for another term.
If your income increases above the eligibility threshold during your lease term, you typically remain in the home until your lease expires. Communities may require annual recertification, and if your income exceeds the limits at that time, your lease may not be renewed at the same affordable rate.
While both LIHTC and Section 8 programs aim to provide affordable housing, they operate differently. LIHTC units have fixed affordable rents based on area median income, whereas Section 8 offers vouchers that subsidize rent, with tenants paying a percentage of their income. Some properties may accept both LIHTC and Section 8 tenants.
