Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Amherst

Amherst, NY has 17 affordable and income-based rental properties offering 2,195 units across the city. Of the 12 properties with available inspection scores, 8 rated excellent and 4 rated good -- with none falling into fair or poor categories. None of the 12 flood-mapped properties carry high flood risk.

Properties

2,195

Total units

91/100

Avg HUD score

At a glance

🏠 Affordability

Amherst has 12 HUD-assisted or income-restricted properties with a combined 1,598 units available to income-qualified renters. No median rent, median income, or renter household share data is available for this page at this time.

Census ACS

🛡️ Safety

Safety

Violent crime rate data for Amherst was not available in FBI Crime Data Explorer at the time of publication. For local public safety information, the Amherst Police Department publishes reports and community resources on its official website.

Among the 12 HUD-assisted properties in Amherst, none are located in a high-risk flood zone, based on available flood map data.

FBI Crime Data Explorer

🚶 Getting around

Walk Score 42 · Car-Dependent

Getting Around Amherst

According to Walk Score, the area around assisted properties in Amherst earns a Walk Score of 42 (Car-Dependent) and a Bike Score of 44. No Transit Score is available. Residents should plan on having access to a vehicle for most daily errands.

Walk Score

🎓 Schools

9 schools · 2 districts

Schools

According to NCES Common Core of Data, 9 public schools across 2 districts serve Amherst, including 5 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools. Ratings and offerings vary by school and district, so renters should check the assigned schools for a specific address before applying.

NCES Common Core of Data

📊 Cost of living

Cost of Living & Affordability

Amherst is a suburban community in Erie County where housing costs tend to run higher than many surrounding areas. The 12 HUD-assisted properties in the city provide 1,598 income-based units, offering an important affordable option for renters in this market.

Eligibility and rent amounts at these properties are based on your household income and family size. Rents are set as a percentage of your income or capped at HUD-determined limits for the area -- not at market rate.

Affordable units available: 1,598 across 12 properties
Program types: HUD-assisted and income-based housing
Rent structure: Income-based; you pay only what is determined affordable for your household

To understand what you might qualify for, compare your household income against the current HUD income limits for Erie County, which are updated annually.

BEA / BLS

🌊 Environment & risk

Environment & Flood Risk

All 12 HUD-assisted properties in Amherst have been mapped for flood exposure. None are located in a high-risk flood zone, which is a reassuring sign for renters concerned about flood-related disruptions or insurance requirements.

FEMA · EPA AirNow

HUD Inspection Scoresavg 91/100(12 of 17 scored)

90+ (8)70–89 (4)No score (5)

17 properties on the map

Top-rated properties

Browse all 17 affordable apartments in Amherst→

Other cities in NY

› Affordable housing in Albany › Binghamton income-based apartments › Income-restricted rentals in Bronx › Brooklyn affordable apartments › HUD & Section 8 housing in Buffalo › Affordable housing in Hamburg › Mount Vernon income-based apartments › Income-restricted rentals in New Rochelle › New York affordable apartments › HUD & Section 8 housing in Niagara Falls › Affordable housing in Port Jefferson Station › Poughkeepsie income-based apartments

Your rights & resources

› How HUD & Section 8 housing works › Tenant rights in NY › Housing assistance & waitlists › Free legal aid (LawHelp)› Energy bill help (LIHEAP)

About Affordable Housing in Amherst, NY

Amherst is a suburban town in western New York with a notable share of high-performing affordable housing. All 12 HUD-assisted properties here have been scored, and 8 of those 12 earned an "excellent" rating -- a strong showing for renters prioritizing housing quality.

Walk Score rates Amherst as Car-Dependent (score: 42), so having reliable personal transportation will make day-to-day errands much easier, according to Walk Score data. The bike score of 44 suggests some cycling infrastructure exists, though it is not a primary way most residents get around.

Families with children will find 9 public schools across 2 districts in the area, including 5 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools, according to NCES Common Core of Data.

On the safety front, none of the 12 mapped properties fall within a high-risk flood zone, according to HUD-assisted property data -- a reassuring detail for renters concerned about flood exposure.

Eligibility & how to apply

New York income limits (2026)New York public housing authorities Section 8 waitlists in New York

Helpful guides

How Section 8 Vouchers Work What Is Income-Based Housing?How to Apply for Affordable Housing Section 8 vs. LIHTC Understanding HUD Inspection Scores How Affordable Housing Waitlists Work

Research: what 22,600 HUD inspection scores reveal →