Eligibility Requirements: Do You Qualify for AST Housing?

Eligibility Requirements Vary by Program

Artist Space Trust offers housing opportunities to Bay Area artists as they become available. Because each opportunity is shaped by specific funding sources, property conditions, and stewardship structures, eligibility requirements vary by program.

This page outlines general eligibility guidelines to help artists understand whether AST housing opportunities may be a fit — and how to prepare for future opportunities.

An artist wearing an elaborate art display

Photo: Artist Llano

Who AST Housing Is For

AST serves artists and culture bearers living in the San Francisco Bay Area, across disciplines and traditions, including visual, performing, literary, and community-based cultural practices.

In general, AST housing opportunities are designed for artists who:

Can demonstrate an ongoing artistic or cultural practice
Currently live in the San Francisco Bay Area
(Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma Counties)
Earn below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
Are seeking long-term housing stability

View current housing opportunities →

What Counts as an Artistic Practice?

AST asks applicants to self-identify as artists and provide information that demonstrates an ongoing practice. Some housing opportunities may be designed for specific types of artistic or cultural work, so each call for applications may include additional criteria.

Applicants are typically asked to provide:

A short narrative about their current practice
Work samples or documentation
References or community connections who can speak to their work

We recognize that artistic careers are nonlinear:

The aesthetic quality of your work is not judged

Proof of income from artistic work is not required

Income and Homeownership Requirements

Most AST housing opportunities are income-restricted, based on public or philanthropic funding guidelines.

Some opportunities — particularly homeownership programs — include additional requirements, such as:

Being a first-time homebuyer, as defined by HUD
Completing a HUD-approved homebuyer education course
Qualifying for a bank mortgage
Meeting program- and lender-specific criteria

In general:

Income limits are set at or below 80% of the Average Median Income (AMI)
Limits vary by household size
Income is verified using standard documentation (such as tax records and bank statements)

For homeownership opportunities, income must meet eligibility requirements at the time of purchase. Income may increase above 80% AMI after ownership is established.

Learn more about AST homeownership →