Affordable & Low-Income Housing in Ellicott City, MD 21042
1 affordable building in 21042 · 32 more within 8 mi
Ellicott City, MD 21042 has 1 income-restricted building: 1 tax credit and 1 senior. 32 more are listed within 8 miles. These lists don't show openings — call to ask about vacancies and waiting lists.
In 21042
No buildings in 21042 match this filter.
Nearby
The 20 closest of 32 in nearby ZIPs. Pick a ZIP below to see all of them.
Waverly Gardens
10881 Birmingham Way, Woodstock, MD 21163
2.2 mi away
102 units · 1–2 BR · People with disabilities
Community Homes
5519-5537 Cedar Lane, Columbia, MD 21044
3.9 mi away
300 units · 149 income-restricted · 1–4+ BR
Roslyn Rise Nine
10401 Twin Rivers Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
4.2 mi away
25 units · 1–4+ BR · People with disabilities
Transitional Housing Resources
5701 Cedar Lane, Columbia, MD 21044
4.2 mi away
9 units · 1 BR · People with disabilities
Progressive Housing Partners
10381 Barcan Cir, Columbia, MD 21044
4.3 mi away
9 units · 3 BR · People with disabilities
Hilltop Phase I
3628 Mount Ida Dr, Ellicott City, MD 21043
4.5 mi away
198 units · 91 income-restricted · 1–3 BR · People with disabilities
Hickory Ridge Place
10799 Hickory Ridge Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
4.6 mi away
108 units · 1–3 BR · People with disabilities
Ellicott Gardens Two
5511 and 5513 Waterloo Road, Ellicott City, MD 21043
4.8 mi away
70 units · 1–3 BR · People with disabilities
Hilltop Phase I [aka] Burgess Mill Station
3050 Milltowne Dr Unit 102, Ellicott City, MD 21043
4.8 mi away
90 units
Access Homes, Inc.
6171 Wicker Basket Court, Columbia, MD 21044
4.9 mi away
6 units · 1 BR · People with disabilities
Orchard Crossing Apts
Executive Park Dr, Columbia, MD 21045
5.2 mi away
187 units · 95 income-restricted · 1–2 BR
- Affordability period may have ended — call to confirm
Forest Ridge Apartments
5890-5894 Stevens Forest Rd, Columbia, MD 21045
5.3 mi away
108 units · 98 income-restricted · 1–3 BR
Beaverbrook Homes
9824 Owen Brown Road, Columbia, MD 21045
5.7 mi away
6 units · Studio · People with disabilities
Treeover Condominiums
6007 Majors Ln, Columbia, MD 21045
6.1 mi away
1 unit
- Affordability period may have ended — call to confirm
No nearby buildings match this filter.
Rents and income limits in 21042
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $2,640/mo
- Income needed to pay it at 30% of income
- $105,600/yr
- Renters in 21042 paying 30% or more of income on rent
- 67%
Income limits (2026)
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area · median family income $134,000. Your household's yearly income before taxes must be at or below the limit.
| People | Extremely low 30% | Very low 50% | Low 80% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28,150 | $46,900 | $74,800 |
| 2 | $32,200 | $53,600 | $85,450 |
| 3 | $36,200 | $60,300 | $96,150 |
| 4 | $40,200 | $67,000 | $106,800 |
| 5 | $43,450 | $72,400 | $115,350 |
| 6 | $46,650 | $77,750 | $123,900 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $83,100 | $132,450 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $88,450 | $141,000 |
Section 8 vouchers: up to the 50% limit, and most go to households under 30%. Public housing: up to 80%. Tax-credit apartments: usually up to 60% of median income, between the 50% and 80% columns.
Fair market rents (2027)
HUD's estimate of rent plus utilities for a modest home. Housing authorities set Section 8 voucher limits from it.
| Size | 21042 | Wider area |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,000 | $1,523 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,140 | $1,625 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,640 | $2,006 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,300 | $2,509 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,670 | $2,789 |
Wider area = Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD. Two-bedroom fair market rents in 12 nearby ZIPs range from $1,780 (21163) to $2,730 (21044).
Census figures for 21042 (2020–2024 average): median rent $2,183. Median household income $190,061. 15% of homes are rented. 67% of renters pay 30% or more of their income on rent, and 35% pay half or more.
Census median rent is what renters here actually pay, including long-term leases. Fair market rent is HUD's estimate for a modest apartment available now.
Sources: HUD income limits FY2026; HUD Fair Market Rents FY2027 (Small Area FMR for ZIP figures); U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year 2020–2024. Each program and building can set its own limits — confirm with the property.
Estimate your Section 8 rent share
Project-based Section 8 is on the buildings above. A Housing Choice Voucher is different: you apply with the housing authority, then find a landlord who takes it. Your share of rent is based on income — not always 30%. The calculator uses 21042's fair market rent.
Estimate your Section 8 rent share for 21042Frequently Asked Questions
Is there Section 8 housing in Ellicott City, MD 21042?
Yes — this directory lists income-restricted buildings in Ellicott City, MD 21042, including project-based Section 8 apartments (the subsidy stays with the unit), public housing, tax-credit, and USDA rural rentals. Housing Choice Vouchers are different: you apply with the local housing authority and can use them at a private landlord. Estimate your voucher rent share with the Section 8 calculator.
Do affordable housing buildings in Ellicott City, MD 21042 have openings?
These lists for Ellicott City, MD 21042 don't show openings. Call the property (or the housing authority, for public housing) to ask about vacancies and waiting lists.
How do I apply for affordable housing in Ellicott City, MD 21042?
Use the phone number on each building card in Ellicott City, MD 21042. Public housing is run by the local housing authority — apply with them, not at the building. USDA rural rentals can also be found through USDA's property search.
What counts as affordable housing in Ellicott City, MD 21042?
In Ellicott City, MD 21042, this directory lists income-restricted rentals from HUD tax-credit (LIHTC) records, public housing, HUD-assisted buildings (including project-based Section 8, 202, and 811), and USDA Rural Development.
How many affordable housing buildings are in ZIP 21042?
This directory lists 1 income-restricted building in Ellicott City, MD 21042. The list does not show vacancies — call each property or the housing authority to ask about openings and waiting lists.
Is there affordable housing near 21042?
Yes — this page also lists 32 income-restricted buildings in ZIP codes near Ellicott City, MD 21042 (within about 8 miles). Pick a nearby ZIP to see every building there.
People Also Ask
How do I qualify for affordable housing in Ellicott City, MD 21042?
Most income-restricted buildings in Ellicott City, MD 21042 serve households at or below 50% or 80% of area median income. HUD's 2026 very low-income (50%) limit for a 1-person household is $46,900, and $67,000 for a 4-person household. Public housing can go up to 80% ($74,800 for 1 person). Each building sets its own cap — call to confirm before you apply. Citizenship, household size, and local preferences can also apply.
What is the income limit for low-income housing in Ellicott City, MD 21042?
For many programs in Ellicott City, MD 21042, the 2026 HUD very low-income (50%) limit is $46,900 a year for 1 person and $67,000 for 4 people. The low-income (80%) limit is $74,800 for 1 person. Tax-credit buildings often use 60% of median income. Confirm with the property — they can be stricter.
How long is the waiting list for Section 8 in Ellicott City, MD 21042?
There is no single waiting list for Ellicott City, MD 21042. Public housing, project-based Section 8, and tax-credit buildings each keep their own list. Housing Choice Voucher lists at the housing authority open only sometimes and can stay closed for years. This directory does not show which lists are open — call the number on each card. Some public housing cards show HUD's reported wait in months.
What is the difference between Section 8 and public housing in Ellicott City, MD 21042?
Public housing is owned by a housing authority — you apply with that agency, not at the building. Project-based Section 8 is a HUD contract on a private building; the subsidy stays with the apartment. A Housing Choice Voucher is different: you apply with the housing authority and can use it at a landlord who takes it. This page lists tax-credit apartments in Ellicott City, MD 21042. Estimate voucher rent share with the Section 8 calculator.
How much rent do you pay for low-income housing in Ellicott City, MD 21042?
In public housing and most Section 8 in Ellicott City, MD 21042, tenants typically pay about 30% of adjusted income. HUD's 2027 fair market rent for a 2-bedroom near Ellicott City, MD 21042 is $2,640 a month (rent plus utilities for a modest unit). Tax-credit apartments use set rents below market, not always 30% of income. Call the building for the actual rent; this site is not a vacancy or price list.
Can I use a Section 8 voucher at affordable apartments in Ellicott City, MD 21042?
A Housing Choice Voucher is not automatically accepted at every building in Ellicott City, MD 21042. Project-based Section 8 units already have a subsidy on the apartment — you apply there, not with a tenant voucher. For a voucher, apply with the housing authority, then ask each landlord. Estimate your share with the Section 8 calculator.
Is there senior affordable housing in Ellicott City, MD 21042?
Yes — this directory flags senior (often 62+) buildings in Ellicott City, MD 21042. Use the Seniors filter on the list. Age rules vary; call to confirm.
Nearby ZIP codes
Sources: HUD LIHTC database, 2024 (released Apr 2026); HUD Multifamily Assisted Properties, Oct 2026. Not affiliated with HUD or USDA. Details can be out of date — confirm with the property before applying.
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