Low Income & Subsidized Housing in Iowa City, IA
There are 24 subsidized and income-restricted properties in Iowa City with roughly 1,084 assisted units — including 13 project-based Section 8 buildings, 1 public housing developments, and 16 LIHTC tax-credit communities, according to HUD administrative data. Reported tenant-paid rents across these buildings range from about $349 to $581 per month. Median reported wait: about 46 months.
Map of subsidized housing in Iowa City
Complete directory of subsidized housing in Iowa City
| Property | Units | Avg rent | Reported wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pheasant Ridge Apartments LIHTCPB Section 8 | 231 | $419 | — |
| Iowa City Public Housing Public Housing | 86 | $581 | 46 mo |
| Capitol House Apts. PB Section 8 | 81 | $349 | — |
| Ecumenical Towers PB Section 8 | 81 | $446 | — |
| Autumn Park of Iowa City PB Section 8 | 64 | $356 | — |
| Emerson Point LIHTC | 54 | — | — |
| Iowa City Villa Garden Apts LIHTC | 48 | — | — |
| Systems Unlimited Group Homes PB Section 8 | 48 | $380 | — |
| Diamond Senior Apartments of Iowa City LIHTCPB Section 8 | 40 | — | — |
| Regency Heights Senior Ii LIHTC | 38 | — | — |
| Regency Heights Apts LIHTC | 37 | — | — |
| Nex LIHTC | 36 | — | — |
| Del Ray Ridge Lp LIHTC | 33 | — | — |
| Iowa City Iha Senior Housing I LIHTC | 30 | — | — |
| Lexington Place LIHTC | 30 | — | — |
| Systems Unlimited Group Homes PB Section 8 | 30 | $408 | — |
| Aniston Village LIHTCPB Section 8 | 22 | — | — |
| Corridor Woods LIHTCPB Section 8 | 22 | — | — |
| Citizen Building Apts LIHTCPB Section 8 | 18 | — | — |
| Melrose Ridge LIHTCPB Section 8 | 18 | — | — |
| Berry Court LIHTCPB Section 8 | 14 | — | — |
| Whispering Garden LIHTCPB Section 8 | 12 | — | — |
| Systems Sandusky Group Home §811 | 6 | — | — |
| Birch House §811 | 5 | — | — |
Section 8 apartments in Iowa City (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pheasant Ridge Apartments LIHTCPB Section 8 | 231 | $419 | — |
| Capitol House Apts. PB Section 8 | 81 | $349 | — |
| Ecumenical Towers PB Section 8 | 81 | $446 | — |
| Autumn Park of Iowa City PB Section 8 | 64 | $356 | — |
| Systems Unlimited Group Homes PB Section 8 | 48 | $380 | — |
| Diamond Senior Apartments of Iowa City LIHTCPB Section 8 | 40 | — | — |
| Systems Unlimited Group Homes PB Section 8 | 30 | $408 | — |
| Aniston Village LIHTCPB Section 8 | 22 | — | — |
| Corridor Woods LIHTCPB Section 8 | 22 | — | — |
| Citizen Building Apts LIHTCPB Section 8 | 18 | — | — |
| Melrose Ridge LIHTCPB Section 8 | 18 | — | — |
| Berry Court LIHTCPB Section 8 | 14 | — | — |
| Whispering Garden LIHTCPB Section 8 | 12 | — | — |
Public housing developments in Iowa City
Rents here are set at about 30% of household income and managed by the local housing authority. About the public housing program →
| Property | Units | Avg rent | Reported wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City Public Housing Public Housing | 86 | $581 | 46 mo |
LIHTC & affordable tax-credit apartments in Iowa City
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson Point LIHTC | 54 | — | — |
| Iowa City Villa Garden Apts LIHTC | 48 | — | — |
| Regency Heights Senior Ii LIHTC | 38 | — | — |
| Regency Heights Apts LIHTC | 37 | — | — |
| Nex LIHTC | 36 | — | — |
| Del Ray Ridge Lp LIHTC | 33 | — | — |
| Iowa City Iha Senior Housing I LIHTC | 30 | — | — |
| Lexington Place LIHTC | 30 | — | — |
Voucher rent limits: Johnson County Fair Market Rents
Housing Choice Voucher payment standards in this area derive from HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rents for Johnson County: studio $880, 1-BR $961, 2-BR $1,141, 3-BR $1,587, 4-BR $1,914.
Full FMR table for Johnson County →
How to apply for subsidized housing in Iowa City
- 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
- Coralville, IA
- North Liberty, IA
- Des Moines, IA
- Cedar Rapids, IA
- Davenport, IA
- Sioux City, IA
- Council Bluffs, IA
- West Des Moines, IA
- Waterloo, IA
- Dubuque, IA
- Burlington, IA
- Muscatine, IA
Data: HUD Picture of Subsidized Households & LIHTC database (2024 vintage). Figures are administrative averages — confirm current availability with each property.