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More than one housing program
This property uses more than one affordable housing program. That can change who qualifies and how rent is set, so read the labels below and call the office to confirm the unit you want.
Programs on this listing include LIHTC tax credit · 60% AMGI AMI, USDA Section 515.
Best fit
Families · Income-based, 60% AMI
Rent
30% of adjusted income
Floor plans
1 Bed • 2 Bed • 3 Bed
Total Units
50
Assisted
50
Year Built / Opened
2012
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How Walk Score worksWhat this means for you
30%
of adjusted income
This property includes LIHTC tax credit · 60% AMGI AMI, USDA Section 515. Rent rules can change by unit, so ask the office which program applies to the apartment you want.
USDA Section 515: This is rural housing in a smaller town or rural area. Many tenants pay based on income, but the exact rent can vary by unit and assistance level.
LIHTC: These are income-based apartments with rent limits tied to the local Area Median Income (AMI) — not market-rate rent. The local 4-person AMI for the 95386 zip code is $81,750 (2024 data). Rent limits are set from that number. If this property also has rental assistance, some tenants may pay about 30% of adjusted income.
To qualify for these apartments at WATERFORD GARDENS, your total household income must fit the local Area Median Income (AMI) limits for Waterford and the 95386 zip code. The exact rules can vary by program and by household size.
This property includes LIHTC tax credit · 60% AMGI AMI, USDA Section 515. Check the program labels on this page and confirm the exact unit rules with management before you apply.
Local Median (1-Person)
$57,225
Local Median (4-Person)
$81,750
Based on the latest 2024 census data, the figures above show the local median earnings for this area. Management will generally require your household income to be at or below 50% of these median figures.
3 accessible units reported.
Management Company
BUCKINGHAM PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Property Owner
WATERFORD COURT A CALIFORNIA LP
Multiple
Rent-Restricted Units
50 of 50 total
income-restricted tax credit apartments
Waterford gardens is a Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) apartment community in Waterford, California. LIHTC properties — also called Section 42 housing or tax credit apartments — are income-restricted rentals developed with federal tax credits administered by state Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs). Qualifying residents pay rent based on a percentage of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Waterford. Based on 2024 data, the local AMI for the 95386 zip code is $57,225 for a single person and $81,750 for a 4-person household. These figures make Waterford tax credit apartments among the most affordable rentals available without a Section 8 voucher.
To qualify, your total household income must fall at or below the income limit set for this property — currently 60% AMGI of AMI. That works out to approximately $49,050/yr for a 4-person household in the 95386 area. Unlike public housing, LIHTC income-restricted apartments are privately managed and require you to apply directly to the property. Rent is fixed at a discounted rate tied to AMI — not to your specific income — so your monthly payment stays predictable.
By law, LIHTC properties must remain rent-restricted for a minimum of 30 years. Waterford gardens was placed in service around 2012, keeping rents income-restricted at least through ~2012.
You must be of qualifying age. Your income must fall within HUD's Area Median Income (AMI) limits for Waterford. Based on the 95386 zip code AMI (2024), this property's 50% income limit is approximately $28,613/yr for 1 person / $40,875/yr for a 4-person household.
This listing shows historically available units. Ask directly if a unit is open today.
If you use a wheelchair or walker, confirm elevator access and doorway widths before submitting a paid application.
Did you know?LIHTC properties have specific maximum rent limits based on your income and the local Area Median Income (AMI). Read the full guide
Income limits are calculated against the Area Median Income (AMI) for the 95386 zip code. Based on recent Census data, the local median income is $57,225 for a single person, and $81,750 for a four-person household. Your specific income cap depends on the exact subsidy program rules applied by management.
To view how these median figures translate to specific income caps (e.g., 30%, 50%, or 60% AMI limits) for all household sizes, check out the AMI Calculator .
Our eligibility tool automatically cross-references your household size and gross income with the local AMI database for this property to determine your fit.
Rental Assistance
Both Federal and State
Qualifying tenants may pay ~30% of income
Rent-Restricted Until
~2012
Minimum 30-year LIHTC legal commitment
Income Limit
60% AMGI
Your household income must be at or below this % of Area Median Income — roughly $49,050/yr for a 4-person household in 95386 (2024 data)
Designated For
AT-RISK
May have preference policies — confirm with management
Additional Financing Sources
Waterford gardens is part of the USDA Section 515 program, providing affordable housing to low-income households. This program offers income based apartments and low income housing options in waterford.
No. USDA Section 515 housing is open to anyone who meets the income limits for waterford. You do not need to be a farmworker or work in agriculture to qualify for these affordable apartments.
Because this property has 100% Rental Assistance, your rent will be capped at roughly 30% of your adjusted household income, providing true income based apartments. Management will calculate your exact rent based on your income documents.
This record reports: 1 Bed • 2 Bed • 3 Bed. Availability can change rapidly, so ask management which layouts are currently open and whether any accessible units are available.
Yes, this property reports having 3 dedicated accessible unit(s). However, availability is subject to change. You should still call management to verify the dimensions of the doorways and bathrooms, and ensure an accessible unit is currently open.
This page currently shows 1 vacant unit reported. Even with vacancies, you should still ask whether the unit type you need is immediately available and whether screening or document review could delay move-in.
Use the eligibility checker to see the next step for this listing. Contact details are not shown here, but you can start the process and get your application path from the property page.
We'll ask a few basic questions and then show the next step.
Waterford gardens is a Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) property. HFA records indicate the income ceiling is set at 60% AMGI. This means your household income must be at or below that percentage of the Area Median Income (AMI) for waterford. Based on 2024 Census data, the local median income for the 95386 zip code is $57,225 for a single person and $81,750 for a 4-person household. At the 60% AMGI limit, the approximate income threshold is $34,335/yr for a 1-person household / $49,050/yr for a 4-person household. Management will verify income during the application process.
To view the specific income caps (e.g. 30%, 50%, or 60% AMI limits) for all household sizes, check out the AMI Calculator .
Our eligibility tool automatically cross-references your household size and gross income with the local AMI database for this property to determine your fit.
LIHTC properties are required by law to remain affordable for a minimum of 30 years from the date they were placed in service (Waterford gardens was placed in service around 2012, so rent restrictions are secured at least until ~2042). After that period, the owner can choose to exit the program or renew. Ask management about the property's current compliance end date.
Yes. HFA records show this property has both federal and state project-based rental assistance. This means qualifying tenants may pay as little as 30% of their adjusted monthly income toward rent, with the assistance contract covering the remainder. Confirm with management which units carry the rental assistance and whether any are currently available.
In addition to the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit, this property was also financed with: USDA Section 515 rural housing loan, non-profit sponsorship. Layering multiple housing subsidy programs is common and often allows properties to offer deeper affordability or better amenities than LIHTC alone.
HFA records show this property was acquired and rehabilitated using LIHTC funding around 2012. Renovation scope varies widely — some properties received light cosmetic updates while others were substantially rebuilt. Ask management what was renovated, the age of key systems (roof, HVAC, plumbing), and whether any additional work is planned.
According to HFA records, this LIHTC property is specifically designated to serve AT-RISK. This means it may have specialized services, accessible units, or preference policies that prioritize these groups. Contact management to understand their current preference and waitlist selection process — being in a designated group does not guarantee priority without a formal application.
Data Provenance
Sourced from USDA Section 515 Directory. Last updated: Jun 25, 2026.Read our methodology.
