UPDATED: DEC 2025

Resi Metrics’ TDHCA 2026 QAP GIS Feature Set converts many of the most diligence-heavy, location-driven aspects of the Texas LIHTC site screening process into a single, map-ready statewide dataset—organizing TDHCA 2026 QAP scoring geographies, restrictions, and administrative boundaries into a cohesive set of GIS layers.

The feature set notably includes statewide layers for three of the most time-consuming, site-location dependent 9% LIHTC scoring items to vet—Opportunity Index, Underserved Areas, and Proximity to Job Areas—presented in a way that lets developers quickly gauge a site’s competitive strength and filter across Texas to identify the highest-scoring geographies to target.

In addition, developers can quickly visualize key award-limiting and risk-screening geographies, including Housing De-Concentration Factors and Undesirable Site Features, to flag conditions that may require additional documentation, mitigation, or local action.

The dataset also brings the QAP’s administrative framework to life—TDHCA regions, Urban-Rural designations, and a carefully processed statewide Urban–Rural map—along with mapped geographies for competitive award priorities and other statewide context layers used in affordable housing diligence.

For 4% LIHTC / tax-exempt bond development workflows, the feature set includes a Texas-wide presentation of HUD Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs) and Difficult Development Areas (DDAs) for 2025–2026, clearly delineating new, continuing, and expiring designation areas relevant to the 30% basis boost.

The result is a turnkey first-pass feasibility map stack that lets you rapidly filter, visualize, and document the geographic factors that matter most for both competitive and non-competitive LIHTC applications in Texas. At the same time, the underlying intent is preserved: each mapped layer is tied to the relevant QAP provision and summarized in plain English so your team can quickly understand what a polygon represents, when it applies, and where it appears in the QAP (for example, Underserved Area and Proximity to Job Areas are addressed within the QAP’s selection criteria and scoring framework).

What’s included

This dataset is delivered in two complementary formats:

• KMZ / KML files for lightweight viewing in Google Earth and similar viewers. Each Resi Metrics KMZ is built with an intentional, scoring-first folder hierarchy that makes complex filtering intuitive inside the file—for example, quickly isolating 5-point Underserved Area tracts for General Population or visualizing 2026-new 30% basis-boost areas relative to 2025.
• Esri Mobile Map Package (.mmpk) containing the complete statewide map stack (all included layers) in a single package, optimized for smooth performance and attribute browsing. For the best experience, we recommend opening the Mobile Map Package in ArcGIS Earth (free).

Some layers are provided as larger KMZ/KML deliverables that may exceed practical limits in Google Earth / Google Earth Pro; for those layers, ArcGIS Earth (free) is the supported viewer to ensure reliable loading and performance.

Included layer catalog with QAP short references

• Housing De-Concentration Factors (QAP 2026 §11.3)
  • 2x State Average per Capita – County (QAP 2026 §11.3(c)) 
  • 2x State Average per Capita – Place (QAP 2026 §11.3(c))
  • Three Year - One Mile Rule (QAP 2026 §11.3(d)) 
  • >20% Housing Tax Credit Units per Household (QAP 2026 §11.3(e))
• Site and Development Requirements and Restrictions (QAP 2026 §11.101)
  
  • High Poverty Rate Census Tracts (QAP 2026 §11.101(a)(3)(D)(i))
    
• Competitive HTC Selection Criteria (QAP 2026 §11.9)
  • Opportunity Index Tracts (QAP 2026 §11.9(c)(5)(A))
    • 2 pts – High-income, low-poverty tract (QAP §11.9(c)(5)(A)(i)) 
    • 1 pt – Adjacent to high-opportunity tract (QAP §11.9(c)(5)(A)(ii)) 
    • 1 pt – Rural growth tract (QAP §11.9(c)(5)(A)(iii)) 
  • Opportunity Index Amenity Points (QAP 2026 §11.9(c)(5)(B))
    • 1 pt – Educational Attainment - Associate Degree (QAP §11.9(c)(5)(B)(i)(X) | §11.9(c)(5)(B)(ii)(IX)
  • Underserved Area (QAP 2026 §11.9(c)(6))
    • Colonia within 150 miles of Rio Grande – 5 pts (QAP 2026 §11.9(c)(6)(A)) 
    • No same-target Development ≤20 years – 5 pts** (QAP 2026 §11.9(c)(6)(C))
    • No same-target Development ≤15 years – 4 pts** (QAP 2026 §11.9(c)(6)(D))
    • No same-target Development ≤10 years – 3 pts** (QAP 2026 §11.9(c)(6)(E))
    • No same-target Development ≤10 years in tract + contiguous tracts – 5 pts** (QAP 2026 §11.9(c)(6)(F))
    • Highest-income quartile tracts - 5 pts (QAP 2026 §11.9(c)(6)(H))
      • **Filterable for General Population, Elderly Development, and Supportive Housing
  • Proximity to Job Areas (QAP 2026 §11.9(c)(7))
    • Scoring for Urban Tracts  (QAP 2026 §11.9(c)(7)(A))
      • Development within 5 miles of 10,000 jobs - 4 pts (QAP 2026 §11.9(c)(7)(A)(i))
      • Development within 5 miles of 8,000 - 3 pts (QAP 2026 §11.9(c)(7)(A)(ii))
      • Development within 5 miles of 6,500 jobs - 2 pts (QAP 2026 §11.9(c)(7)(A)(iii))
      • Development within 5 miles of 4,500 jobs - 1 pts (QAP 2026 §11.9(c)(7)(A)(iv))
    • Scoring for Rural Tracts (QAP 2026 §11.9(c)(7)(B))
      • Development within 5 miles of 6,000 jobs - 4 pts (QAP 2026 §11.9(c)(7)(B)(i))
      • Development within 5 miles of 4,500 - 3 pts (QAP 2026 §11.9(c)(7)(B)(ii))
      • Development within 5 miles of 3,000 jobs - 2 pts (QAP 2026 §11.9(c)(7)(B)(iii))
      • Development within 5 miles of 1,500 jobs - 1 pts (QAP 2026 §11.9(c)(7)(B)(iv))

• Basis Boost
  • 2026 Difficult Development Areas (Filterable based on Sunsetting / 2025 Areas, 2025-2026 Areas, and New 2026 Areas)
  • 2026 Qualified Census Tracts (Filterable based on Sunsetting / 2025 Areas, 2025-2026 Areas, and New 2026 Areas)
• TDHCA Property Inventory (source: TDHCA Multifamily Property Inventory dated 11.26.2025)
  • Filterable by Program (4% LIHTC or 9% LIHTC) and Target Population Served (Elderly, General or Supportive)
• TDHCA Administrative
  • TDHCA Administrative Regions
  • Places (TDHCA 2026 Rural/Urban Designations by Place and Statewide Urban-Rural Map)
  • Award Priorities 
• Texas Jurisdictions
  • Counties
  • TX School Districts
  • US House Districts
    
  • TX Senate Districts
  • TX House Districts

Coverage notes & important limitations

• This is a screening / planning toolkit designed to accelerate early diligence. It does not replace the QAP, TDHCA guidance, or applicant verification. The QAP explicitly places responsibility on the Applicant to confirm/verify data and interpretations.
• Where a rule depends on applicant actions or submittals (e.g., OnTheMap job counts), the dataset provides structure and map organization, not the underlying third-party calculation.
• For rural/urban determinations outside Places/ETJs, the statewide nearest-place layer is an interpretive visualization; municipal boundaries and ETJ extents should be verified for final determinations.

Delivery & updates

A secure download link will be delivered via SendOwl to the email provided during checkout. Resi Metrics will provide data updates and corrections for 60 days following the purchase date, ensuring you receive any material fixes or refinements identified during that period.

Reference documents included

• Data Dictionary
• How-To Guide
• Disclaimer