Smart Housing

What Is SMART Housing?

SMART Housing was created by the city of Austin to aid students who receive need-based financial aid, pay for school through student loans, or work while going through school to pay for living expenses independently. Students who qualify for SMART Housing qualify for discounted monthly installments at certain apartment communities, including 21 Pearl!

How Do I Qualify For SMART Housing?

There are two ways to qualify for SMART Housing. The first is receiving need-based financial aid, which may automatically qualify you for smart housing. The second qualifier is if you meet the low-to-moderate income requirement for Austin, which means whoever is paying for the housing only makes 50-60% of the median Austin income. You will need proof from a W2, 1040, a letter from an employer, or three pay stubs. If you are unsure whether you qualify for SMART Housing, send a screenshot of your UT direct cash page or proof of income to a member of our team for help!

Is SMART Housing Pricing Only For Certain Floorplans?

All our amenity spaces will be closed until further notice to help support social distancing and to keep our residents and staff as safe as possible, this includes the coffee bar and all common areas.

When Is SMART Housing Available?

SMART Housing rates are typically sent out in July by the city of Austin. 21 Pearl has a limited number of units dedicated to SMART Housing, but these fill up rather quickly, so we recommend signing a housing contract earlier to help ensure you can save your place.

What If I Qualify For SMART Housing, But My Roommates Don’t?

Since 21 Pearl offers individual SMART Housing contracts, we can typically mix someone with SMART Housing and someone without SMART Housing in one unit, so you don’t have to worry about not living with your friend or roommate!