Cleveland Apartments · Cleveland, OH

Low-Income Apartments in Cleveland, Ohio

"Low income apartments" in Cleveland usually means one of two things: income-capped developments with rents capped by household income (as of July 4, 2026, apartments.com listed roughly 180 such units citywide), or privately-owned rentals that accept Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8). Every home we manage falls into the second category and accepts vouchers.

What does "low income apartments" actually mean in Cleveland?

The phrase covers two different things, and it's worth knowing which one you need. Income-capped (affordable housing) apartments are developments built with government subsidies or tax credits where rent is capped based on a percentage of the area median income, and you apply directly with the property or its management company. As of July 4, 2026, apartments.com listed roughly 180 units under an income-capped filter for the Cleveland area. Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher rentals are ordinary privately-owned homes and apartments whose landlords agree to accept a voucher as part or all of the rent — the unit itself isn't rent-capped, but a renter's share of the rent is reduced through the voucher program administered by Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA).

We don't operate income-capped developments. What we do offer: every one of the 90+ rental homes we manage across Greater Cleveland accepts Section 8 vouchers and is HUD-inspection-ready — the strongest, most consistent affordability option we can honestly point renters toward.

How much do low-income apartments and voucher rentals cost?

Income-capped apartment rents are set individually by each development based on its funding program, so we can't publish a single citywide number — contact the specific property for its current rent and income limits. For voucher rentals, what a household actually pays depends on income and the local payment standard, not a fixed advertised rent. Our own portfolio's asking rents run roughly $700 to $1,800/month, typically around $1,000 — Cleveland overall is about 36% more affordable than the national median rent, per Zumper's July 4, 2026 rent report.

Applying through CMHA's Housing Choice Voucher program

CMHA accepts preliminary Housing Choice Voucher applications year-round online through its RentCafe portal, or in person using kiosks at its Main Campus. Selection isn't strictly first-come-first-served — CMHA runs periodic "mini-lotteries" from the preliminary applicant pool, so it can take anywhere from a few days to several months to be reached. Applicants need an active email address, Social Security number, and income and household information for everyone in the home.

A note on where Section 8 is protected by law

Ohio has no statewide law requiring landlords to accept Housing Choice Vouchers, and as of July 4, 2026, the City of Cleveland itself has not enacted a source-of-income protection ordinance — though several Cuyahoga County suburbs, including Cleveland Heights, South Euclid, University Heights, and Warrensville Heights, do have local protections. That patchwork is exactly why finding landlords who voluntarily welcome vouchers matters, and why we lead with it: every home we manage accepts Section 8, no exceptions.

Find a voucher-friendly rental home

See our full Section 8 housing guide for more on applying with CMHA, payment standards, and inspections, or read how to apply for Section 8 through CMHA step by step. When you're ready to see a current voucher-friendly home in person, book a free showing with our local leasing team, or start an application online if you've already found one you like.

Rent Finder Cleveland is an equal housing opportunity provider and does business in accordance with the Fair Housing Act. Availability, pricing, and terms are subject to change.