Income-based rent, explained
Affordable housing in Taos, in plain language.
Taos is a hard town to rent in: wages are local, but housing prices compete with second homes and vacation stays. Affordable, income-based, tax-credit, low-income housing, whatever you call it, El Cerrito exists to close that gap, with rents set below market for households that qualify.
How the program works here
El Cerrito takes part in the federal affordable-housing tax-credit program. In exchange, the homes rent below the market rate, with caps set by the program. There is no separate affordable section and no lottery: every floor plan is priced the same way, and rent is a fixed amount rather than a percentage of what you earn.
Who qualifies
Eligibility is about your household, not your age or your job title. Your combined income must fall under limits HUD publishes each year for Taos County, and the limits scale with household size, so a household of four has a higher limit than a single renter. One quick call with a rough idea of your monthly income is usually enough for us to tell you where you stand, and applying is straightforward from there.
Housing Choice Vouchers are welcome
You do not need a Section 8 voucher to live at El Cerrito, because rents are already below market for everyone. If your household does have a Housing Choice Voucher, it is welcome here, and the office will gladly walk you through how the voucher and the tax-credit program work together.
What it costs
Current program rent for a two-bedroom home is $749 per month. Rents for the other floor plans, and today's availability, are one phone call away. Program rents adjust from time to time, so call the office to confirm the exact rate for your household while you are on the line.
Common questions about qualifying
Who can live at El Cerrito?
Everyone is welcome to apply. El Cerrito is an affordable community, so eligibility comes down to household income and size, never age. Call the office and we can usually tell you in one short conversation whether your household qualifies.
What are the income limits?
Household income must fall below limits that HUD sets each year for Taos County. The limits scale with household size and change annually, so the surest way to know is to call with a rough idea of your monthly income. In a town where rents run high, many working households are surprised to learn they qualify.
How much is the rent?
Current program rent for a two bedroom is $749 per month. It is a fixed amount, not a percentage of your income. For today's exact rate on every floor plan, and current availability, please call the office. Program rents adjust from time to time.
Affordable Apartments · Taos, New Mexico
Come see it for yourself.
The best way to know if El Cerrito feels like home is to visit. Call us and we will answer your questions and set up a tour.