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USDA Rural Rental Housing: How to Find and Apply for Affordable Rural Apartments
Learn how USDA Rural Development's multifamily rental housing works, who it serves, how its rental assistance differs from Section 8, and how to use USDA's property search to find options.
If you live in or want to move to a small town or rural area, HUD programs are not the only option. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, through its Rural Development agency, helps finance apartment properties that offer affordable rents in eligible rural places. USDA also runs a free online tool to find these properties. This guide explains how the program works and how to use the search.
What the program is
Under its multifamily housing programs, USDA Rural Development provides financing to property owners so they can build, improve or buy rental housing that stays affordable for lower-income tenants. USDA describes the main goal as rental housing for low-income families, older adults and people with disabilities in eligible rural areas. The search tool classifies apartment properties as either elderly or family housing, with units from studios up to four bedrooms. Day-to-day, each property is handled by an approved management agency, not by USDA itself.
Who the properties serve
According to USDA, tenants in these properties generally include:
- Very low to moderate-income households. USDA defines very low income as below 50 percent of area median income and low income as 50 to 80 percent, with a modest allowance above that for moderate income.
- Older adults aged 62 or older.
- People with disabilities.
Each property has its own eligibility rules and screening, so always ask the manager.
How USDA rental assistance works
Some of these properties also receive USDA Multifamily Housing Rental Assistance. USDA pays this to the property owner on behalf of lower-income tenants who cannot afford the full rent, and USDA says tenants receiving it pay no more than 30 percent of adjusted income for rent. Unlike a Housing Choice Voucher, it is attached to the property, not to you, so it does not move with you if you leave. Only some units at some properties have it, and those units often have their own waiting lists. Ask each property whether rental assistance is available and how it affects your rent.
Using USDA's search tool
- Open the USDA multifamily rentals search and select your state on the map, or use the text version if the map does not load.
- Choose a county, or type a city name or ZIP code instead.
- Pick a property from the list of housing complexes to see its details.
- Check the income limits link on the property page to see the income standards used for rental subsidy in that area.
- Contact the management agency listed on the page to ask about vacancies, waiting lists and how to apply. A link to the local USDA servicing office is also provided if you need more help.
The tool is a directory, not a live vacancy list, so contacting the property is the only way to know what is available.
Applying and combining with other help
You apply at the property's management office, not through USDA's national office and not through a public housing agency. Ask what documents are needed, whether there is an application fee and how long the wait might be. Some USDA-financed properties may also accept Housing Choice Vouchers, so if you already have one, ask. If you have questions about a property, USDA Rural Development has state and regional staff who can explain the program in your area.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to live in a rural area already to apply?
Ask the property directly. Each USDA-financed property handles its own applications and screening through its management agency, so requirements can differ from one complex to the next.
Is USDA rental assistance the same as a Section 8 voucher?
No. USDA rental assistance is paid to the property owner for specific units and stays with the property, while a voucher can generally move with the household.
Does USDA's search tool show open apartments?
It lists financed properties and their contact details. To learn about vacancies or waiting lists, contact each property directly.
Sources
Disclaimer: This guide is general information only and may not fit your situation or country. Rules, prices and requirements change, so check the details with the official source or a qualified professional before you act. Read our full disclaimer.