# Too Much for Low-Income Housing? The Income Gap Explained | Income Restricted Apartments > Earn too much for programs but priced out of market rent? Where the workforce gap sits, 80% AMI units, and which programs to try in Texas. URL: https://incomerestrictedapartments.com/guide/workforce-housing-income-gap-explained/ Last-Modified: 2026-06-11 ![Working couple in scrubs reviewing rent options on a phone in a Texas apartment breezeway](/images/misc/working-couple-in-scrubs-reviewing-rent-options-on.webp) ## Who’s Stuck in the Gap You earn too much to qualify for 60% AMI LIHTC or public housing, but market rent in your metro is eating half your take-home. This is the “workforce gap”: households in the 70% to 100% AMI band who don’t get any traditional subsidy but also can’t comfortably afford market rate. In Austin especially, but also across DFW, Houston, and San Antonio, this gap has grown as market rents climbed faster than incomes. ## Where Workforce Housing Sits Three main paths: **80% AMI LIHTC units**. Many LIHTC properties mix tiers, and 80% units are workforce-band by design. Rent is capped, but higher than a 60% cap. **TDHCA Bond Properties**. Tax-exempt-bond financed communities that often blend 60% and 80% tiers or focus on the workforce end. **Mixed-Income Developments**. New construction that mixes LIHTC-restricted units with market-rate units in the same building. Some of the LIHTC units are workforce-tier. ![Bar chart showing income bands from workforce gap to market rate](/images/misc/bar-chart-income-bands-workforce-gap-affordable-ve.webp) ## Rough Numbers For a 2-person household, workforce band commonly runs somewhere in the $50,000-$85,000 range depending on your metro. Austin runs higher, San Antonio lower. Actual numbers move every year with HUD updates. ## Why Nobody Tells You About This Listing sites don’t distinguish 60% from 80% units, and workforce inventory isn’t marketed the way deep-subsidy inventory is. You can be sitting on qualification and not know it. ## What We Do At intake, we check your income against every tier and every program in your metro. If you’re in the workforce band, we route you to 80% units, bond properties, and mixed-income developments that fit. If you’re above even that, we’re honest about it and point to market-rate options with better value. ## Related Reading - Income Restricted vs Section 8 vs Market-Rate [/guide/income-restricted-vs-section-8-vs-market-rate/ →](/guide/income-restricted-vs-section-8-vs-market-rate/) - TDHCA Bond Properties Explained [/guide/tdhca-bond-properties-explained/ →](/guide/tdhca-bond-properties-explained/) - What Are LIHTC Tax Credit Apartments? [/guide/what-are-lihtc-tax-credit-apartments/ →](/guide/what-are-lihtc-tax-credit-apartments/) Start the free intake [/contact/ →](/contact/) . ## Frequently Asked Questions What is workforce housing? + Units set aside for households earning too much for deep subsidies but not enough for market rent. In LIHTC, this is usually the 80% AMI tier. TDHCA bond properties often serve this range too. What if I'm just over the 60% AMI limit? + 80% AMI units, TDHCA bond communities, and some mixed-income developments may fit. We check your exact number and route you to what qualifies. Do vouchers work in the workforce gap? + Vouchers are income-eligibility based on your PHA's rules, which typically target below 50% AMI. Above that, workforce-tier LIHTC and bond properties are usually the right path. ## 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/)