# Second-Chance Income Restricted Apartments (Texas) > Credit issues, a broken lease, or a past eviction plus income limits? How screening rules vary and how pre-screening prevents wasted fees. URL: https://incomerestrictedapartments.com/guide/second-chance-renting-with-income-restrictions/ Last-Modified: 2026-06-12 ![Renter and locator reviewing screening paperwork across a desk](/images/misc/renter-and-locator-reviewing-screening-paperwork-a.webp) ## Meeting the Cap Isn’t the Whole Story A common frustration: your income is exactly right for a 60% LIHTC unit, you find a community with openings, and you’re denied. Why? Because income eligibility qualifies you for the program. Each property still runs its own tenant selection plan that screens credit, background, and rental history separately. ## What Gets Screened - **Credit history**: score minimums are common, sometimes around 550-600. Some properties look at debt-to-income or specific negatives (bankruptcies, collections, utility judgments). - **Criminal background**: most exclude recent violent or drug-manufacturing felonies. Misdemeanors and older records are handled more variably. - **Rental history**: broken leases, prior evictions, and money owed to previous landlords. Lookback windows vary (2-7 years is typical). - **Sex offender registry**: nearly all properties exclude registered offenders under federal HUD rules. ## Why Screening Varies So Much Each property’s tenant selection plan is set by the owner and property management, within federal fair-housing rules. Some communities focus on stability and lean lenient; others are strict to keep insurance premiums or investor requirements happy. The result: two identical LIHTC 60% units in the same metro can have very different screening bars. ![Checklist of apartment screening factors](/images/misc/checklist-of-apartment-screening-factors-credit-ba.webp) ## The Cost of Not Knowing Application fees run $50-$150 per adult and never refund. Apply blindly to five properties with strict screening and you’re out $500-$1,500 with no home to show for it. ## What Pre-Screening Does We ask about screening context at intake (past evictions, credit, background). Then we compare your profile to each community’s tenant selection plan before you apply. If a community will deny you, we don’t send you there. We match you to communities where the screening bar realistically clears. ## Second-Chance-Friendly Patterns Certain program and property types are typically more flexible: - **Older-stabilized LIHTC** with owners focused on occupancy - **Public housing** (though wait times are long) - **Some senior-designated communities**, especially for older evictions - **RAD-converted properties** with mission-driven owners - **PHA-managed LIHTC** where the housing authority sets policy ## What Helps You Stand Out Even With Issues - Letter of explanation for a specific past incident - Documentation of the resolution (satisfied judgment, paid balance) - Reference letters from current or recent landlords - Larger security deposit (some properties will accept) - Guarantor or co-signer ## What We Do Tell us at intake about any screening issues. We’ll: 1. Identify communities in your metro that are more flexible 2. Prep any explanation-letter or documentation packet 3. Route you away from properties that will deny you 4. Coordinate the application so your context is presented well ## Related Reading - LIHTC Screening: Credit, Background, Rental History [/guide/lihtc-screening-credit-background-rental-history/ →](/guide/lihtc-screening-credit-background-rental-history/) - How Our Free Locator Service Works [/guide/how-our-free-locator-service-works/ →](/guide/how-our-free-locator-service-works/) - What Documents You Need to Apply [/guide/what-documents-you-need-to-apply/ →](/guide/what-documents-you-need-to-apply/) Start the free intake [/contact/ →](/contact/) and tell us about your screening context. Nothing is off the table. ## Frequently Asked Questions Can I get an income restricted apartment with an eviction? + Sometimes. Rules vary property by property. Some communities have a hard no on evictions within 3-5 years; others review case-by-case. We know which properties in each Texas metro are more flexible and pre-screen you before you apply. Do income restricted apartments check credit? + Yes, most do. Meeting the income cap qualifies you for the program, but each property runs its own tenant selection plan that also screens credit, background, and rental history. Score minimums range widely. What is a tenant selection plan? + A written policy each LIHTC community must have that spells out its exact screening criteria: credit minimums, background rules, eviction lookback, income minimums, application process. You can (and should) ask to see it before applying. ## Related Guides ### 2026 Income Limits & AMI Tables by Texas Metro and Household Size 2026 AMI income limits (30/50/60/80%) for affordable apartments by Texas metro and household size. Updated annually from HUD/TDHCA. [2026 Income Limits & AMI Tables by Texas Metro and Household Size →](/guide/2026-income-limits-ami-tables-by-metro-household-size/) ### Accessible & Disability Income Restricted Housing Need an ADA-accessible affordable unit? Accessible set-asides, reasonable accommodations, and how we match you to disability-friendly communities. [Accessible & Disability Income Restricted Housing →](/guide/accessible-disability-income-restricted-housing/) ### Family (2-3 Bedroom) Income Restricted Apartments Need a larger income restricted unit? Occupancy rules, how bedroom count affects AMI, and waitlist realities for 2-3 bedroom units. [Family (2-3 Bedroom) Income Restricted Apartments →](/guide/family-2-3-bedroom-income-restricted-apartments/) ### Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) Explained A Housing Choice Voucher helps pay rent at accepting properties. What HCV is, how to get one from your PHA, portability, and how we help. [Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) Explained →](/guide/housing-choice-vouchers-hcv-explained/) ![](/images/misc/texas-income-restricted-apartment-community-family.webp) Free · No Application Fees Wasted ## Want a Match, Not Just Info? Start the free 5-minute intake. Licensed Texas team, matches within 24-48 hours, application fee rebate on approval. See If I Qualify [/contact/ →](/contact/) Read More Guides [/guide/ →](/guide/)