TDHCA oversees state housing programs, low-income tax credit properties, and emergency rental assistance. Local housing authorities administer the federal Housing Choice Voucher program across Texas counties and cities.

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Source of Income Protections & Tenant Rights

Federal Fair Housing laws apply across Texas, prohibiting housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. In addition, Texas properties financed with Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) cannot refuse Section 8 voucher holders.

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Fair Market Rents & Voucher Payment Standards

Large Texas metropolitan areas—including Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio—utilize Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMRs) by ZIP code, helping families afford homes in higher-opportunity school districts.

Without extra HUD approval, a payment standard is usually any amount from 90% up to 110% of the published Fair Market Rent for that unit size (24 CFR 982.503). Enter your PHA’s written dollar amount in the calculator; otherwise we use 100% of FMR as a stand-in.

How HAP is calculated · Pay by bedroom size

Prominent Public Housing Authorities in Texas

Contact your local PHA for waiting lists and applications. Links go to official agency sites or HUD’s national PHA directory.

Houston

Houston Housing Authority (HHA)

Administers more than 18,000 vouchers throughout the greater Houston metropolitan area.

Phone: (713) 260-0500
Website / Apply ↗

Dallas

Dallas Housing Authority (DHA Housing Solutions for North Texas)

Provides voucher assistance across North Texas with innovative housing mobility programs.

Phone: (214) 951-8300
Website / Apply ↗

San Antonio

Opportunity Home San Antonio

Operates housing programs for tens of thousands of Bexar County residents under MTW flexibilities.

Phone: (210) 477-6000
Website / Apply ↗

Austin

Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA / Austin Pathways)

Serves families across Travis County with specialized education and workforce partnerships.

Phone: (512) 477-4488
Website / Apply ↗

View full PHA directory → · National PHA directory (HUD) ↗

Frequently Asked Questions About Section 8 in Texas

How does Section 8 work in Texas?

In Texas, families receive vouchers from local municipal or county housing authorities. The voucher covers the difference between 30% of the tenant’s adjusted income and the local payment standard set by HUD.

Can Texas landlords refuse Section 8 vouchers?

Private market landlords in Texas may choose whether to accept vouchers, unless the rental property was developed using Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) or other federal funding that prohibits voucher discrimination.

What are Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMRs) in Texas?

In metro areas like Dallas, Houston, and Austin, HUD calculates payment standards by individual ZIP code rather than county-wide averages. This allows higher subsidies in higher-rent neighborhoods with better job access and schools.

Major Cities & Metropolitan Areas in Texas

Houston

Dallas

San Antonio

Austin

Fort Worth

El Paso

Arlington

Corpus Christi

How Section 8 Operates in Texas