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Families
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Floor plans
Call for layouts
Total Units
160
Year Built / Opened
2011
HUD Score
98
Waitlist expected. Click Check Eligibility below to generate your ready-to-print application materials so you're first in line.
Walk Score®
65/100• Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score®
33/100• Some Transit
Bike Score®
40/100• Somewhat Bikeable
Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® are trademarks of Walk Score and Redfin.
How Walk Score worksWhat this means for you
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. The local 4-person AMI for the 21045 zip code is $146,291 (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 SIERRA WOODS APTS, your total household income must fit the local Area Median Income (AMI) limits for Columbia and the 21045 zip code. The exact rules can vary by program and by household size.
This property includes LIHTC tax credit · 60% AMGI AMI. Check the program labels on this page and confirm the exact unit rules with management before you apply.
Local Median (1-Person)
$102,403
Local Median (4-Person)
$146,291
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.
Not explicitly confirmed. Call ahead to verify elevator availability and doorway widths before applying.
Management Company
HABITAT AMERICA LLC
Property Owner
Sierra Woods Limited Partnership
Multiple
HUD Property ID
800009326
Rent-Restricted Units
159 of 160 total
income-restricted tax credit apartments
Rent-Restricted Until
~2011
Minimum 30-year LIHTC legal commitment
Sierra woods apts is a Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) apartment community in Columbia, Maryland. 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 Columbia. Based on 2024 data, the local AMI for the 21045 zip code is $102,403 for a single person and $146,291 for a 4-person household. These figures make Columbia 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 $87,775/yr for a 4-person household in the 21045 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. Sierra woods apts was placed in service around 2011, keeping rents income-restricted at least through ~2011.
You must be of qualifying age. Your income must fall within HUD's Area Median Income (AMI) limits for Columbia. Based on the 21045 zip code AMI (2024), this property's 50% income limit is approximately $51,202/yr for 1 person / $73,146/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.
Last inspection 7/27/2023 · This score means the property meets HUD's highest safety and quality standards.
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 21045 zip code. Based on recent Census data, the local median income is $102,403 for a single person, and $146,291 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.
Income Limit
60% AMGI
Your household income must be at or below this % of Area Median Income — roughly $87,775/yr for a 4-person household in 21045 (2024 data)
Designated For
Families
May have preference policies — confirm with management
Additional Financing Sources
This record reports: Call for layouts. Availability can change rapidly, so ask management which layouts are currently open and whether any accessible units are available.
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.
Sierra woods apts 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 columbia. Based on 2024 Census data, the local median income for the 21045 zip code is $102,403 for a single person and $146,291 for a 4-person household. At the 60% AMGI limit, the approximate income threshold is $61,442/yr for a 1-person household / $87,775/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 (Sierra woods apts was placed in service around 2011, so rent restrictions are secured at least until ~2041). 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: tax-exempt bonds, 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 2011. 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 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: Jul 11, 2026.Read our methodology.
