Low Income & Subsidized Housing in Columbia, MD
There are 32 subsidized and income-restricted properties in Columbia with roughly 2,272 assisted units — including 14 project-based Section 8 buildings, 0 public housing developments, and 15 LIHTC tax-credit communities, according to HUD administrative data. Reported tenant-paid rents across these buildings range from about $151 to $612 per month.
Map of subsidized housing in Columbia
Complete directory of subsidized housing in Columbia
Section 8 apartments in Columbia (project-based)
These buildings carry HUD Section 8 contracts attached to the units — apply at each management office rather than through the voucher waitlist. How project-based Section 8 works →
| Property | Units | Avg rent | Reported wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community Homes PB Section 8 | 217 | $524 | — |
| Owen Brown Place PB Section 8 | 188 | $345 | — |
| Hickory Ridge Place LIHTCPB Section 8 | 108 | $334 | — |
| Harper House Apartments LIHTCPB Section 8 | 100 | $411 | — |
| Longwood Elderly PB Section 8 | 100 | $344 | — |
| Forest Ridge Apartments PB Section 8 | 98 | $546 | — |
| Residences at Roslyn Rise 4% LIHTCPB Section 8 | 94 | — | — |
| Monarch Mills/ Guilford Gardens PB Section 8 | 50 | $585 | — |
| Shalom Square LIHTCPB Section 8 | 50 | $342 | — |
| Robinson Overlook LIHTCPB Section 8 | 48 | — | — |
| Chimneys of Cradlerock PB Section 8 | 40 | $459 | — |
| Sierra Woods LIHTCPB Section 8 | 32 | $465 | — |
| Legacy at Twin Rivers Ii PB Section 8 | 26 | $612 | — |
| Legacy at Twin Rivers I PB Section 8 | 25 | $494 | — |
LIHTC & affordable tax-credit apartments in Columbia
Tax-credit units rent below market rate for households within income bands (often 30–60% of Area Median Income). Understanding LIHTC →
| Property | Units | Avg rent | Reported wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington Ii T/a Columbia Commons LIHTC | 200 | — | — |
| Orchard Crossing Apts LIHTC | 187 | — | — |
| Monarch Mills LIHTC | 116 | — | — |
| Stevens Forest Apts LIHTC | 106 | — | — |
| Park View at Columbia Ii LIHTC | 104 | — | — |
| Park View at Columbia I LIHTC | 103 | — | — |
| Park View at Snowden River LIHTC | 100 | — | — |
| Park View at Snowden River LIHTC | 100 | — | — |
| Treeover Condominiums LIHTC | 1 | — | — |
Voucher rent limits: Howard County Fair Market Rents
Housing Choice Voucher payment standards in this area derive from HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rents for Howard County: studio $1,362, 1-BR $1,511, 2-BR $1,857, 3-BR $2,358, 4-BR $2,611.
Full FMR table for Howard County →
How to apply for subsidized housing in Columbia
- Apply to buildings directly. Project-based Section 8, public housing, §202/§811 and LIHTC properties run their own waitlists — contact each office using the details on its page.
- Join voucher waitlists. Your regional housing authority administers Housing Choice Vouchers; ask about current openings and preferences. Step-by-step application guide →
- Document everything. ID, Social Security cards, birth certificates, and income proof speed up both paths.
- Stay reachable. Update your address everywhere — missed mail is the top reason applicants lose spots.
Nearby cities with low income housing
- Elkridge, MD
- Ellicott City, MD
- Baltimore, MD
- Silver Spring, MD
- Frederick, MD
- Annapolis, MD
- Rockville, MD
- Hagerstown, MD
- Salisbury, MD
- Edgewood, MD
- Glen Burnie, MD
- Gaithersburg, MD
Data: HUD Picture of Subsidized Households & LIHTC database (2024 vintage). Figures are administrative averages — confirm current availability with each property.