Start with the right Portland apartment list
The city’s Inclusionary Housing page has a rental-unit list, an income calculator and links to other regulated housing resources. Its separate MULTE page lists restricted apartments outside Inclusionary Housing and tells prospective tenants to contact the buildings’ property managers about availability.
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
| Starting point | What it identifies | Your next step |
|---|---|---|
| Inclusionary Housing (IH) | Projects with units restricted at specified income levels. | Find a building that fits your location and bedroom needs; confirm its leasing contact. |
| MULTE unit list | Restricted units not also subject to Inclusionary Housing. | Check the list date and property status, then ask management which restrictions currently apply. |
MULTE stands for Multiple-Unit Limited Tax Exemption. The tax benefit goes to a qualifying property; the renter’s task is to apply for an apartment. You do not apply for the building’s tax exemption to join its rental waiting list.
Read property status before assuming a unit is available
When checked on October 1, 2026, the city’s IH and MULTE lists were dated April 2026. The MULTE PDF includes status, restricted-unit counts, affordability levels and expiration fields. It contains expired entries as well as active rentals. Those fields describe program records, not today’s openings.
Use the property address to distinguish similarly named buildings. Record the list date and bedroom count you need, then confirm the current program with management. An “active rental” label does not tell you whether there is an empty apartment. A construction or permit entry does not establish that a property is accepting tenant applications.
Keep a simple search log: building and address, official leasing contact, date contacted, unit size, quoted rent, application status and next follow-up. Mark unanswered questions as unknown instead of assuming the building qualifies or has a place ready.
Separate the income limit from the rent you would pay
For IH apartments, Portland publishes income and rent requirements. Household size matters for income eligibility; bedroom size and the unit’s restriction level matter for its rent limit. Ask which program and income level apply to the apartment offered to you.
The city’s 2026 IH maximum-rent table assumes the owner pays all utilities. When tenants pay covered utilities, the applicable allowance is subtracted from that maximum. Ask management for the unit’s actual rent and utility calculation. Do not automatically apply an IH table to every older MULTE property.
A unit labeled “60% MFI” does not mean you pay 60% of your income in rent. It also does not promise that the apartment fits your budget. Compare the quoted rent, utilities and required recurring charges with what your household can afford. Read our guide to housing without a portable voucher for the distinction between restricted rents and income-based assistance.
Request the tenant application and document checklist
Before paying a fee, ask the leasing office:
- Are you accepting applications for a restricted unit, a waiting list, or neither?
- Which program, household-income limit and screening criteria apply to this unit?
- Can I apply without a voucher, and is any separate rental assistance attached to this apartment?
- What are the rent, utilities, required fees and move-in charges?
- Which income documents do you need, and how should I submit them securely?
- How do I confirm receipt, update my contact details and check my application status?
The city’s project-compliance guidance includes Tenant Income Certification requirements at lease-up. Get the property’s instructions before assembling documents; ask about future certifications too. A submitted income form is not confirmation that the rental application has been approved.
If your income comes from benefits, a new job or self-employment, the income-document checklist helps you organize questions and records. Send personal documents through the property’s verified application channel.
Keep the apartment search and voucher search separate
Applying to a restricted apartment is not the same as applying for a portable Housing Choice Voucher. For voucher information, use our Portland Section 8 guide; if you already have one, start with Portland voucher-friendly listings and your housing authority’s instructions.
If a restricted apartment is still unaffordable, tell the manager you are looking for a unit with rental assistance or a lower rent level. Ask which separate application, if any, is needed. If the monthly rent works but the deposit does not, the move-in assistance guide explains how to investigate local help before committing to a lease.