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Best fit
Families
Rent
Contact for pricing
Floor plans
2 Bed • 3 Bed
Total Units
43
Year Built / Opened
2021
Waitlist expected. Click Check Eligibility below to generate your ready-to-print application materials so you're first in line.
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This property includes LIHTC tax credit · 60% AMGI AMI. Rent rules can change by unit, so ask the office which program applies to the apartment you want.
LIHTC: These are income-based apartments with rent limits tied to the local Area Median Income (AMI) — not market-rate rent. Rent limits are set from the local AMI. If this property also has rental assistance, some tenants may pay about 30% of adjusted income.
Not explicitly confirmed. Call ahead to verify elevator availability and doorway widths before applying.
Rent-Restricted Units
38 of 43 total
income-restricted tax credit apartments
Rent-Restricted Until
~2021
Minimum 30-year LIHTC legal commitment
Merle hay apartments (aka lillis lofts) is a Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) apartment community in Urbandale, Iowa. 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 Urbandale. These properties are among the most affordable apartments 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. 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. Merle hay apartments (aka lillis lofts) was placed in service around 2021, keeping rents income-restricted at least through ~2021.
You must be of qualifying age. Your income must fall within HUD's Area Median Income (AMI) limits for Urbandale.
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
This record reports: 2 Bed • 3 Bed. Availability can change rapidly, so ask management which layouts are currently open and whether any accessible units are available.
Merle hay apartments (aka lillis lofts) 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 urbandale. The exact dollar threshold depends on your household size. Management will verify income during the application process.
Income Limit
60% AMGI
Your household income must be at or below this % of Area Median Income
Designated For
Families
May have preference policies — confirm with management
Additional Financing Sources
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 (Merle hay apartments (aka lillis lofts) was placed in service around 2021, so rent restrictions are secured at least until ~2051). After that period, the owner can choose to exit the program or renew. Ask management about the property's current compliance end date.
In addition to the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit, this property was also financed with: non-profit sponsorship. Layering multiple housing subsidy programs is common and often allows properties to offer deeper affordability or better amenities than LIHTC alone.
Yes. HFA records classify this as a new construction LIHTC property, meaning units were purpose-built as affordable housing rather than converted from existing stock. New construction properties often feature modern layouts and energy-efficient systems. It's worth asking management about the age of appliances and any known maintenance issues before applying.
According to HFA records, this LIHTC property is specifically designated to serve families. 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 LIHTC Database. Last updated: Aug 8, 2026.Read our methodology.
