Cambridge Villas Apartments Austin Review: 55+ Senior LIHTC Housing on Dessau Rd (Reviewed 2026)

Cambridge Villas carries a 3.5 on Google and a 1.5 on Yelp. That gap tells you something. This 208-unit senior community on Dessau Road in Pflugerville is a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit property, only for people 55 and up. It’s one of the few income-capped options in the 78660 zip code. And right now, there’s a one month free special running. I’ve tracked affordable and tax credit housing across Austin and Pflugerville for years through direct community contacts. Cambridge Villas stands out for one reason most listing sites won’t explain: the rent looks low, but you have to earn under a certain amount to qualify.

Here’s what the listing sites won’t tell you: this is a tax credit property with income caps, a 55+ age restriction, and fourplex-style construction with no upstairs or downstairs neighbors. The review history mentions rats more than once. Those trade-offs matter, and I’m going to break down every one of them.

Quick Facts

The 3.5 Google rating tells part of the story. The 1.5 on Yelp tells a rougher one. Seven of 9 Yelp reviews are 1-star. Birdeye pulls together 78 reviews and lands at 3.2. I’ll get into what’s behind the split and why Google’s review tags flag “rats” with 2 mentions.

Who Cambridge Villas Works For

You qualify for LIHTC housing and want to stay in Pflugerville. The 60% AMI income caps for Travis County in 2026 are $56,460 if you live alone and $64,560 for two people. If you’re under those caps and 55 or older, Cambridge Villas is one of the few spots in the 78660 zip code where you can get a one bedroom for $850/month with trash and water included. That math is hard to beat on Dessau Road when the closest comparable apartment, The Bower, starts at $1,199 and has no income caps.

You need single-story living with no shared walls above or below. Cambridge Villas is built as fourplexes, not a typical apartment building. All units are one level. You don’t have upstairs neighbors, and nobody’s walking around below you. If you have trouble with stairs or you’ve dealt with noise from the apartment above you, that matters. The property is also ADA accessible with handicap friendly units.

You want low move-in costs. A $24 application fee is about as low as it gets in this market. There’s no admin fee. With one month free on a 12-month lease, your first month is covered, so your upfront costs are basically the $300 security deposit, pet deposit if applicable, and the app fee. That’s it.

Who Should Skip Cambridge Villas

You earn too much. If you make more than the income cap for Travis County (that’s $56,460 for one person, $64,560 for two), you can’t live here. That’s how LIHTC housing works. They’ll check your income when you apply, and you’ll need to bring tax returns, pay stubs, or benefit statements. If you’re over the cap, they won’t approve you regardless of everything else on your application.

You’re under 55. The age rule is firm. If you’re 54 and closing in on your birthday, you’ll still need to wait.

Pest issues are a deal breaker for you. Multiple reviews across Google and Yelp mention rats. Google’s review tags flag “rats” with 2 mentions. If that’s not something you can live with, read the Uncomfortable Truth section before you go any further.

Ready to See If Cambridge Villas Fits Your Situation?

I can tell you whether your income and background match this property’s screening before you spend the $24 application fee. If it doesn’t work, I know which nearby communities will.

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Location Deep Dive

What’s Actually Nearby

Cambridge Villas sits at 15711 Dessau Road in Pflugerville, tucked into a residential area east of I-35.

You need a car here. Walk Score is around 6 out of 100.

The closest grocery store is the HEB on Wells Branch Parkway, less than a mile south. About a 5-minute drive. Shops at Wells Branch, a small strip center, is about 0.9 miles away with a few dining and retail options. Downtown Pflugerville (Pecan Street) is about 2.5 miles northwest, with local restaurants, breweries, and the Pflugerville Library.

The closest hospital is Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Pflugerville, 3.4 miles away (about 5-7 minutes by car). There’s a CVS and Walgreens within 2 miles on Wells Branch for pharmacy runs.

The nearest Capital MetroRail station is Howard Station, roughly 3 miles west. CapMetro buses run on Wells Branch but don’t come down Dessau Road to the property. If you don’t drive, getting to a bus stop is going to be a problem.

Commute Math

I-35 is less than 2 miles west, and SH-130 is about 3 miles east. If you’re commuting to Round Rock or north Austin, the drive is reasonable. Getting downtown during rush hour is the painful direction. 35 South backs up every day.

Neighborhood Vibe

Dessau Road in this stretch is suburban and quiet. There’s no nightlife, no bar scene, and not much foot traffic. It’s mostly houses and newer apartment buildings around here. That’s changed fast in recent years. The Bower (built 2025) and Brio (built 2023) are both within half a mile, and this corridor has more new construction coming.

For a 55+ community, that quiet is a good thing. You’re not next to a highway, not near construction noise (the new builds are mostly done), and the fenced community keeps through-traffic out. But don’t expect to walk anywhere. You’re driving to the grocery store, the pharmacy, and the doctor.

Pricing & True Cost

Floor Plans

Why the wide gap between floor price and upper range? Tax credit property. The $850 and $950 are the rents at the 60% AMI level. The higher numbers ($1,450 and $1,776) likely reflect units at higher income tiers or full-price rents. Most residents here are paying near the floor prices.

Net Effective Rent Calculation

Using the 1BR floor price with the current 1 month free special on a 12-month lease:

• Base rent: $850/month
• Special: 1 month free on 12-month lease
• Daily multiplier: (365 – 30) ÷ 365 = 0.9178
• Net effective rent: $850 × 0.9178 = $780/month
• Monthly savings: $850 – $780 = $70/month

That brings the effective cost of a 1BR down to $780/month. For a 2BR at the $950 floor price:

• Net effective rent: $950 × 0.9178 = $872/month

Fee Breakdown

Required Fees (Everyone Pays)

Optional Fees

One heads-up on pets: my locator database says 2 pets max at 35 lbs each, but AffordableHousing.com’s listing says 1 pet max at 99 lbs. Policies change, so confirm the current rules with the leasing office before you apply.

The $0 admin fee is worth calling out. Most Austin-area apartments charge $150-$350 in admin fees on top of the application fee. Cambridge Villas doesn’t. The property also pays for trash and water, which saves you $30-$60/month compared to places that pass those costs to you.

True Monthly Cost Scenario

A renter in a 1BR with the floor price and one pet, no covered parking:

A renter who adds covered parking ($30/month) bumps to about $825-$835/month. Still under $850 even without the special.

Want to Compare This Property’s True Cost to Nearby Options?

I can run the math on Cambridge Villas against other LIHTC and market-rate properties in the 78660 zip so you know exactly what you’re paying before you sign.

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Screening Criteria

Cambridge Villas screens differently than a regular apartment because it’s a tax credit property. Here’s what you need to know.

Income Requirements: Caps, Not Just Minimums

This is where tax credit housing works backward from a normal apartment. Instead of needing to earn enough to qualify, you need to earn under the cap. Cambridge Villas uses the 60% AMI election for Travis County.

2026 Income Caps (60% AMI, Austin-Round Rock MSA):

If your income exceeds these limits, you don’t qualify. Period. If you’re close to the line, they’ll check with pay stubs, tax returns, Social Security statements, or pension paperwork. Income from every adult in your household counts.

There’s also a floor: you still need enough income to pay rent. Most LIHTC properties want 2x-2.5x rent. At $850 for a 1BR, that means roughly $1,700-$2,125/month gross income, or about $10-$13/hour full-time. Ask the leasing office for the exact number when you apply.

Credit Expectations

Tax credit properties don’t screen as hard on credit as market-rate places. Given its age (built 2007), rent level, and property type, Cambridge Villas lines up with what I’d call the Class C / second-chance range. That typically means:

• 550+ credit gets a reasonable shot at approval
• Below 550 may require a higher deposit
• The property runs both a credit check and a background check, but I haven’t found a published minimum score anywhere online. Ask the office directly.

What Gets You Denied

Based on how LIHTC properties screen and what I know about Capstone’s policies:

• Income over the 60% AMI cap for your household size
• Under age 55
• You owe money to a previous landlord (that’s almost always an automatic decline anywhere)
• Faking income documents (LIHTC programs get audited, and they take this seriously)
• Sex offenses are typically an automatic decline
• Felonies within the lookback window (typically 5-7 years for this property class). Capstone runs criminal background checks on all applicants. LIHTC properties tend to be more flexible than market-rate on older convictions, so ask about your specific situation before applying.

Application Process

1. Apply: $24 per person, non-refundable. You can download the application from their website as a PDF.
2. Income verification: You’ll need to prove your income falls within the AMI limits. This takes more paperwork than a regular apartment application. Expect to bring tax returns, recent pay stubs, benefit award letters, or bank statements.
3. Background and rental history check: Standard screening for credit, criminal, and rental history.
4. Decision: Timeline varies, but expect 3-7 business days. LIHTC applications take longer because they have to verify your income paperwork.

Here’s what working with a locator does for you here: I can tell you whether your income, credit, and rental history are likely to pass Cambridge Villas’ screening before you spend $24 finding out. If Cambridge Villas looks tight for your situation, I know which nearby communities have more flexibility.

Resident Reviews Decoded

Review Snapshot Across Platforms

Review Pattern Analysis

That Yelp number needs context. Seven of 9 reviews are 1-star. Zero are 4 or 5 stars. Yelp skews negative because people with bad experiences are more likely to post, and 9 reviews isn’t a huge sample. But a 1.5 is still the lowest I’ve seen for a senior community in this area. Google’s 3.5 across 63 reviews tells a more balanced story.

What People Like

The positive reviews tend to come from people who’ve actually lived there a while.

A Caring.com reviewer who’s been at Cambridge Villas since 2017 called out spacious rooms, attentive staff, monthly food bank drop-offs, and a full activity calendar. Another Caring.com reviewer praised the fourplex design specifically, noting that units are all one level with no neighbors above or below. That same person liked the no-carpet flooring, the on-site beauty salon, and the library.

On Google, Dedra Kennedy described her neighbors as “like a family” after living there several years. The “helpful staff” tag has 5 mentions, and “community support” has 4. One Yelp reviewer called the apartments roomy, praised the tub/shower combo and storage, and noted residents can garden and decorate their exteriors. But even that reviewer added that management “don’t wear a smile too often.”

What People Don’t Like

The negative reviews keep coming back to management, and this isn’t a one-year blip. It shows up across years and platforms. On Yelp, a 2019 reviewer wrote that “the management team is awful” and that they “treat the senior citizens very bad.” A 2018 Yelp review said “management sucks” and “the whole place is infested with rats.” On Google, Lilibet Plutin called office staff “very rude and disrespectful.” And a 2024 Yelp reviewer implied the property “took full advantage of elderly parents.”

The Winter Storm Uri response in February 2021 is worth its own section. KXAN (Austin’s NBC affiliate) ran a story specifically about Cambridge Villas. Half the community lost power for days. When water was turned back on, pipes burst across the property, flooding apartments.

A Yelp reviewer from that period wrote that management “left residents to fend for themselves for days without power” and that “all the units are flooded because they didn’t shut down water properly after pipes busted.” A local bakery called Pflour Shop stepped in and cooked 208 spaghetti meals for residents because grocery stores weren’t stocked and nobody could cook.

To be fair, Winter Storm Uri hit all of Texas hard, and most properties struggled. But the flooding here was bad enough to make the local news, and the Yelp reviews suggest residents felt abandoned by management during it. That’s worth knowing.

Parking comes up on multiple platforms too. One Caring.com reviewer said “parking for people with cars is a little difficult.” On Birdeye, someone called it a “serious parking problem” where “residents can’t find a place to park.” For a 55+ community where most people drive, that’s not a small thing.

How Management Handles Feedback

Capstone does respond to Google reviews. But every response is the same template. Negative reviews get: “We regret to hear that you had this experience with us. Please reach out to us directly at (512) 990-2348.” Positive reviews get: “Thank you so much for your positive comments!” No specifics, no follow-up, and nothing that suggests the complaints changed anything.

On Yelp and Birdeye, management doesn’t respond at all.

The Uncomfortable Truth

No listing site will write this section. I’m not trying to kill the deal. I want you to know what you’re signing up for before you sign.

The Rat Complaints Aren’t Going Away

This isn’t one angry reviewer. Google’s review tags include “rats” with 2 mentions. When Google flags something as a topic, it means enough reviewers brought it up independently. A 2018 Yelp reviewer used the word “infested.” A MyCaringPlan summary of reviews across the web called out “the place being infested with rats, old, nasty, and surrounded by piles of garbage.”

Whether this is a current issue or an older problem under different staff isn’t clear. But it’s shown up on at least three platforms over multiple years. Before signing a lease, ask the office about their current pest control schedule, who handles it, and how often they treat. Get the answer in writing.

The 2021 Winter Storm Response Made the News

KXAN ran a story in February 2021 about Cambridge Villas specifically. When Winter Storm Uri hit Texas, half the community lost power for days. Water came back on. Pipes burst. Apartments flooded.

Every property in Texas got hit by that storm. But a news outlet covered this specific community, and Yelp reviewers described feeling abandoned by management during it. That tells you something about how things were handled when it mattered most. The property was renovated in 2021, which may have fixed some of the plumbing and building problems that made the storm damage worse. Ask about it. Ask what they’ve fixed since then.

The Income Cap Can Work Against You

LIHTC housing sounds like a great deal until your income changes. If you get a raise, pick up a part-time job, or start collecting a new benefit, you could exceed the AMI cap at recertification. You won’t get evicted immediately, but your rent could go up, and at renewal you may need to prove you still qualify. For someone on a fixed retirement income, this is less of a concern. But if you’re 55 and still working full-time, watch the math.

The Yelp Numbers Are Brutal

7 of 9 Yelp reviews are 1-star. Zero are 4 or 5 stars. That’s a 1.5 average.

Yelp skews negative. People with bad experiences post more. But a senior community with zero positive Yelp reviews is unusual. Google’s 3.5 across 63 reviews is more balanced, and the Caring.com reviews from long-term residents are genuinely positive. The gap between Google and Yelp here is one of the widest I’ve seen for any Pflugerville property. Read both before you decide.

Ready to Move Forward, or Want to See Alternatives?

If Cambridge Villas looks right, I can pre-screen your application before you spend the $24. If it doesn’t, I know every affordable and 55+ community in the Austin metro. Let’s figure out what fits.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cambridge Villas income-restricted?

Yes. Cambridge Villas is a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit property. At least 40% of units are reserved for people under the income cap. For 2026, that cap is $56,460 if you live alone in the Austin-Round Rock area.

What is the age requirement for Cambridge Villas?

You must be 55 or older. That’s a hard rule, not a suggestion. It’s a federally recognized senior housing community.

Does Cambridge Villas accept Section 8 vouchers?

Yes. LIHTC properties have to accept Section 8 vouchers, and Cambridge Villas is no exception.

How much is rent at Cambridge Villas?

Floor prices are $850/month for a 1BR (750 sq ft) and $950/month for a 2BR (1,000 sq ft) at the 60% AMI income tier. There’s currently a special offering 1 month free on a 12-month lease, which brings the net effective rent to $780/month for a 1BR.

Does Cambridge Villas allow pets?

Yes. Up to 2 pets, 35 pounds max each, $150 refundable deposit per pet, and $0/month pet rent. Aggressive breeds are not allowed. No pet screening is required.

What utilities are included at Cambridge Villas?

The property pays for trash and water. You pay electric. All units are all-electric (no gas).

Is there a laundry facility?

Units have full-size washer and dryer connections, but machines aren’t included. There’s also a shared laundry room on site.

Does Cambridge Villas have a waitlist?

Tax credit properties often have waitlists, especially for the cheapest units. Call the office at (737) 510-4289 to check what’s open. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM.

What school district is Cambridge Villas in?

Pflugerville ISD. The assigned schools are Windermere Elementary, Pflugerville Middle, and Pflugerville High.

What’s nearby Cambridge Villas?

HEB grocery is less than a mile south on Wells Branch Parkway. Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Pflugerville is 3.4 miles away. I-35 access is under 2 miles west. Downtown Pflugerville is about 2.5 miles northwest.

The Bottom Line

Here’s where Cambridge Villas lands: it’s one of the few 55+ income-restricted communities in Pflugerville’s 78660 zip code with rents under $1,000/month for both one and two bedroom units. The fourplex layout with no upstairs or downstairs neighbors is a real plus if you want single-story living. No admin fee. Property pays trash and water. And the current one month free special brings the net effective rent on a 1BR to $780/month. Hard to argue with that math.

The trade-off is real, though. Pest complaints show up on Google, Yelp, and Birdeye. Dealing with the office staff is a coin flip based on the reviews. Management responds to complaints with the same copy-paste reply every time. And the LIHTC paperwork to prove your income is more involved than a standard apartment application.

This property makes sense if:

• You’re 55+ and your income falls within the 60% AMI limits for Travis County
• You want single-story, fourplex-style living with no upstairs or downstairs neighbors
• You need low move-in costs and below-market rent in Pflugerville
• You have a small pet (under 35 lbs) and want $0/month pet rent

This property doesn’t make sense if:

• Your income exceeds the LIHTC caps ($56,460 for one person, $64,560 for two)
• You’re under 55
• Pest history is an absolute deal breaker for you
• You don’t have a car (there’s no bus service to Dessau Road)

If you meet the age and income requirements, Cambridge Villas deserves a look. Just read the reviews yourself before you sign anything.

Need Help Deciding?

Work with me: My service is free. I’m paid a referral fee from the property’s marketing budget, so your rent stays the same whether you use a locator or apply on your own. I can check whether your income and background will pass Cambridge Villas’ screening before you apply. And if this property isn’t the right fit, I know every 55+ and LIHTC community in the Austin metro.

Going solo? Apply directly through the Cambridge Villas website or call their office at (737) 510-4289. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Just tell them “Ross Quade from Austin Apartment Team” referred you on your tour and application. Text me at 512-360-0852 when you apply so I can make sure everything’s on track.