Affordable & Low-Income Housing in Santa Elena, TX 78591
No income-restricted buildings are listed in 78591 — here are the closest ones.
No income-restricted buildings are listed in Santa Elena, TX 78591. 6 income-restricted buildings are listed nearby (within about 19 miles). These lists don't show openings — call to ask about vacancies and waiting lists.
Closest to 78591
Nixon Apts
204 E Nixon St Apt 1A, Rio Grande City, TX 78582
23.5 mi away
44 units · 3 BR
- Apply through Starr County Housing Authority
- Residents waited about 12 months to move in (HUD, Oct 2026)
La Casita Del Valle Apts
6547 Fm-1430, Rio Grande City, TX 78582
23.8 mi away
28 units · 1–2 BR
- 3 vacant units reported (Oct 2026) — call to confirm
Charco Blanco
1988 Charco Blanco Rd Apt 1A, Rio Grande City, TX 78582
24.4 mi away
34 units · 1–3 BR
- Apply through Starr County Housing Authority
- Residents waited about 24 months to move in (HUD, Oct 2026)
Villa Vallarta
600 Fairgrounds Rd., Rio Grande City, TX 78582
24.6 mi away
40 units · 1–2 BR · People with disabilities · People experiencing homelessness
- 3 vacant units reported (Oct 2026) — call to confirm
No nearby buildings match this filter.
Rents and income limits in 78591
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,010/mo
- Income needed to pay it at 30% of income
- $40,400/yr
Income limits (2026)
Starr County, TX area · median family income $38,700. Your household's yearly income before taxes must be at or below the limit.
| People | Extremely low 30% | Very low 50% | Low 80% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $17,600 | $29,300 | $46,900 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $33,500 | $53,600 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $37,700 | $60,300 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $41,850 | $66,950 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $45,200 | $72,350 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $48,550 | $77,700 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $51,900 | $83,050 |
| 8 | $55,250 | $55,250 | $88,400 |
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 | 78591 | Wider area |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $770 | $771 |
| 1 bedroom | $780 | $775 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,010 | $1,014 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,410 | $1,404 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,480 | $1,471 |
Wider area = Starr County, TX. Two-bedroom fair market rents in 4 nearby ZIPs range from $1,010 (78536) to $1,030 (78582).
Census figures for 78591 (2020–2024 average): Median household income $35,750. 11% of homes are rented.
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 78591's fair market rent.
Estimate your Section 8 rent share for 78591Frequently Asked Questions
Is there Section 8 housing in Santa Elena, TX 78591?
Yes — this directory lists income-restricted buildings in Santa Elena, TX 78591, 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 Santa Elena, TX 78591 have openings?
These lists for Santa Elena, TX 78591 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 Santa Elena, TX 78591?
Use the phone number on each building card in Santa Elena, TX 78591. 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 Santa Elena, TX 78591?
In Santa Elena, TX 78591, 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 78591?
No income-restricted buildings are listed in ZIP 78591 right now. 6 nearby buildings are shown on this page. Call to confirm openings.
Is there affordable housing near 78591?
Yes — this page also lists 6 income-restricted buildings in ZIP codes near Santa Elena, TX 78591 (within about 19 miles). Pick a nearby ZIP to see every building there.
People Also Ask
How do I qualify for affordable housing in Santa Elena, TX 78591?
Most income-restricted buildings in Santa Elena, TX 78591 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 $29,300, and $41,850 for a 4-person household. Public housing can go up to 80% ($46,900 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 Santa Elena, TX 78591?
For many programs in Santa Elena, TX 78591, the 2026 HUD very low-income (50%) limit is $29,300 a year for 1 person and $41,850 for 4 people. The low-income (80%) limit is $46,900 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 Santa Elena, TX 78591?
There is no single waiting list for Santa Elena, TX 78591. 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 Santa Elena, TX 78591?
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. Estimate voucher rent share with the Section 8 calculator.
How much rent do you pay for low-income housing in Santa Elena, TX 78591?
In public housing and most Section 8 in Santa Elena, TX 78591, tenants typically pay about 30% of adjusted income. HUD's 2027 fair market rent for a 2-bedroom near Santa Elena, TX 78591 is $1,010 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 Santa Elena, TX 78591?
A Housing Choice Voucher is not automatically accepted at every building in Santa Elena, TX 78591. 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 Santa Elena, TX 78591?
This page may still list buildings in Santa Elena, TX 78591 that accept seniors without being senior-only. Use the filters and call to ask about age set-asides.
Nearby ZIP codes
Sources: HUD LIHTC database, 2024 (released Apr 2026); HUD Public Housing Developments, Oct 2026; USDA Rural Development multifamily, Oct 2026. Not affiliated with HUD or USDA. Details can be out of date — confirm with the property before applying.
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