A safe, affordable place to call home can make a real difference in someone's life, and that's exactly what Mercy Housing is working to provide. Today, it's one of the largest nonprofit affordable housing organizations in the country, with a presence in more than 40 states and over 340 properties nationwide.
This guide covers how Mercy Housing's programs work, who can qualify, what makes it different from a regular apartment complex, and the steps to apply.
Who Mercy Housing Serves
Mercy Housing builds and manages homes for people who are often left out of the regular rental market, including:
- Low-income families
- Seniors on a fixed income
- Veterans
- People with disabilities
- People who were previously experiencing homelessness
Mercy Housing is not a government agency. It's a nonprofit, which means it isn't trying to make a profit off of rent. Instead, it works closely with government-backed housing programs to keep costs low. You can read more about how the federal government supports affordable rental housing on USAGov's rental assistance page.
What Makes Mercy Housing Different
A lot of affordable housing is just about the rent price. Mercy Housing tries to go a step further by pairing housing with support services, such as service coordinators, after-school programs for kids, wellness programs for seniors, and job or financial coaching for adults.
This matters because stable housing tends to work best when residents also have support in other parts of their lives. Not every property offers the same services, so it's worth asking the leasing office what's available at a specific community.
How the Rent Actually Works
Affordable housing doesn't mean the landlord is losing money. It means the government is helping cover part of the cost so rent can stay low for the tenant. Mercy Housing properties typically use one or more of the following:
- Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funding, where developers get tax credits in exchange for keeping rents affordable
- Project-based rental assistance, where the government pays part of the rent directly tied to a specific building
- State and local housing programs, which vary depending on where you live
Because of this mix of funding, rent prices are not the same everywhere. A one-bedroom apartment in one city might cost very differently than a similar unit in another state. In many cases, tenants pay around 30% of their monthly income toward rent and utilities, though this depends on the specific program. The only way to know the real price is to contact the property directly.
If you want to understand how these federal housing programs work in more detail, HUD's official overview of subsidized housing programs is a good place to start.
Who Can Qualify
Every Mercy Housing community sets its own specific rules, but qualification generally comes down to a few factors.
Income
Most units are reserved for households earning below a certain percentage of the Area Median Income (AMI) for that area, commonly 30%, 50%, or 60%. AMI is different in every region, so the same income might qualify in one city but not another. You can look up income limits in your area through HUD's official income limits data.
Household Size
Bigger households are usually allowed to earn more and still qualify, since income limits increase with the number of people in the home. A family of four, for example, can typically earn more than a single person and still be within the limit.
Type of Community
Some properties are built specifically for seniors, usually age 55 or 62 and up. Others are designed for families, veterans, or individuals coming out of homelessness, so it's worth checking what type of community you're applying to before you get too far into the process.
Background Review
Rental history and background checks are usually part of the process. A past issue doesn't automatically rule someone out, since each property reviews applications on a case-by-case basis.
Finding a Mercy Housing Community
Because Mercy Housing has properties across dozens of states, the easiest way to find one near you is to use the organization's own search tool:
You can filter results by city, state, or ZIP code to see what's available in your area. Since availability changes often, it's a good idea to check back regularly.
How to Apply
There's no single national application for Mercy Housing. Each community manages its own waiting list, so the process usually looks like this:
- Find a property in the area you want to live.
- Contact the leasing office directly to ask about openings.
- Ask about income requirements for that specific building, since they can vary.
- Submit an application, either online or in person depending on the property.
- Join the waiting list if there isn't an open unit yet.
Mercy Housing also has a step-by-step page explaining what to expect during the process:
Before you apply, it helps to have these documents ready:
- A valid photo ID
- Social Security numbers for everyone in the household
- Proof of income, such as pay stubs or benefit letters
- Recent tax documents
- Rental history from previous landlords
Having these ready ahead of time can help the process move faster.
What to Expect with Waiting Lists
Affordable housing is in high demand across the country, and Mercy Housing is no exception. Many communities have waiting lists, and some properties close their lists temporarily when demand is too high.
Because of this, it's smart to apply to more than one place at the same time. While you wait on a Mercy Housing list, you can also look into:
- Public housing through your local housing authority
- Housing Choice Vouchers, known as Section 8
- Other nonprofit affordable housing providers in your area
The federal government keeps a helpful directory of these programs on the USA.gov housing page, and many people combine these with nonprofit housing to bring costs down even further.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Don't rely on one property. Apply to several communities so you're not stuck waiting on just one list.
- Keep your information updated. If a leasing office can't reach you by phone, they may move to the next applicant.
- Get your paperwork ready early. Having your ID, income proof, and tax records on hand can speed things up.
- Respond fast. If a property contacts you, reply quickly. Waiting too long can push your application back.
- Check with your local housing authority. Your local Public Housing Authority (PHA) can tell you about other options in your county, and HUD keeps a searchable directory of PHA contacts.
Final Thoughts
Mercy Housing helps tens of thousands of families, seniors, veterans, and individuals find not just a place to live, but a place with the support to build a more stable life. The application process takes patience, since demand is high and waiting lists are common, but the basic steps are simple:
- Search for a Mercy Housing community near you
- Contact the leasing office directly
- Submit your application and required documents
- Join the waiting list, and keep applying to other programs while you wait
If you think you might qualify, reaching out to a Mercy Housing community is a good first step toward a more stable and affordable future.
Looking for even more housing options while you wait? Our partners at Section8Search.org offer a free, nationwide search tool to help you find Section 8 listings and open waiting lists near you.
