The Essential Housing Program
Built for the people who keep Dallas running.
At least half of the 127 homes are reserved at reduced rents for income-qualified households.
income and rent restricted
Homes at reduced rents are reserved for households earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income, with a share set aside at 60%. The program was built with the city’s essential workforce in mind: teachers, nurses, first responders, police officers and military members.
Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) are accepted.
The rest of the homes lease at market rent. Every home, restricted or not, is the same home: the same floor plans, the same finishes, the same building.
Who qualifies
Income, not job title.
Any household can qualify. What counts is the total income of everyone who will live in the home, from every source: wages, second jobs, bonuses, benefits. If it is at or below the limit for your household size, you may qualify for a restricted home.
The 2026 income limits
Find your household size.
Maximum annual household income for a restricted home, by the number of people who will live in it. Restricted homes sit in one of two tiers; the leasing team confirms which tier applies to the home you want.
| People in the household | 60% AMI | 80% AMI |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $50,880 | $67,840 |
| 2 | $58,140 | $77,520 |
| 3 | $65,400 | $87,200 |
| 4 | $72,660 | $96,880 |
| 5 | $78,480 | $104,640 |
| 6 | $84,300 | $112,400 |
| 7 | $90,120 | $120,160 |
| 8 | $95,940 | $127,920 |
HUD 2026 income limits for the Dallas, TX HUD Metro FMR Area, Dallas County, for leases signed on or after May 1, 2026. Larger households: call for the figure. The program also caps the rent on each restricted home by its bedroom count and tier; Rents come out when pre-leasing opens.
How it works
Three steps.
- Call or visit with your household size and the home you want.
The leasing team tells you whether that home is restricted and, if so, which tier it sits in.
- Compare your household income with the limit for that tier.
Use the table above. Income counts for every adult who will live in the home, from every source.
- Apply, with income documents for every adult.
The standard application (credit, background and rental history) applies to every home at The Parker; a restricted home adds the income paperwork. Fees are on the FAQ page.
Plain answers
Six questions, answered.
- What is the Essential Housing Program at The Parker at Bishop Ridge?
- At least half of the 127 homes are reserved at reduced rents for income-qualified households earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income, with a share set aside at 60%. The program was built with the city’s essential workforce in mind: teachers, nurses, first responders, police officers and military members. The rest of the homes lease at market rent.
- Does The Parker at Bishop Ridge accept Housing Choice Vouchers?
- Yes. The Parker accepts Housing Choice Vouchers, also known as Section 8.
- How do I find out if I qualify?
- Add up the income of everyone who will live in the home, from every source, and compare it with the 2026 limit for your household size. If it is at or below the 80% figure you may qualify for a restricted home; the leasing team confirms which tier applies to the home you want. Call (877) 516-6483.
- Are all 127 homes income-restricted?
- No. At least half are reserved for income-qualified households. The rest lease at market rent to anyone who meets the standard application criteria.
- Is a restricted home different from a market-rate home?
- No. Every home at The Parker is the same home: the same floor plans, the same finishes, the same building and amenities. The program sets the rent, not the home.
- Do I have to be a teacher, nurse or first responder to qualify?
- No. Eligibility is by household income, not by job. The program was written with the essential workforce in mind, and any household within the income limit can apply.