Norman Commons Apartments Austin Review: New Construction at Tax Credit Prices (2025)

A one bedroom in a building completed in 2025 for $1,089/month. Electric included. No, that’s not a typo.

Norman Commons is a 156-unit tax credit community at 5712 Jackie Robinson St in Austin’s 78721 zip code. The math here is unusual enough that I had to double-check it. I track apartment pricing across East Austin daily as a licensed Texas REALTOR (TX #679806), and brand new construction at this price point basically doesn’t exist on the market rate side. Atlas Eastside, a 2024 build less than a mile away, starts at $1,238 for a one bedroom. And that’s before you add electric and internet.

But here’s what listing sites won’t tell you: this is an income restricted property. You can’t just want to live here. You have to qualify under specific income caps. Make too much money and you’re ineligible, period. And the pet policy? Confusing. The property’s locator data says no pets allowed. Multiple listing sites say pets are allowed with a 35 lb limit and $300 deposit. Call the leasing office before you get your hopes up either way.

I’ll break down exactly who qualifies, what it actually costs to live here, and whether Foundation Communities’ screening criteria work for your situation.

Norman Commons Quick Facts

The 5.0 Google rating looks great on paper. But 9 reviews from a property that opened in 2025 tells you almost nothing. Only three of those reviews have written text. I’ll cover what those early reviews do and don’t tell you below.

Best For / Skip If

Norman Commons Makes Sense If…

Your household income falls within the tax credit limits and you want new construction. The income caps depend on household size. For the 60% AMI tier (the highest), based on the 2026 Austin-Round Rock MFI of $134,400: a single person caps at roughly $56,450/year. Two people, $64,500. Three, $72,600. Four, $80,640. The 50% and 30% tiers cap lower. Foundation Communities can give you the exact numbers, since TDHCA sometimes adjusts them. But if your income fits? You’re getting 2025 finishes, gas appliances, walk-in showers, high ceilings, and fiber optic internet at rents $400 to $800 below market rate in the same area.

You need a larger floor plan on a budget. They have three and four bedroom units here. A four bedroom at $1,650 to $1,800 in new construction? Good luck finding another one at that price in Austin.

You receive disability, retirement, or SSI income. Foundation Communities only requires 2x monthly rent for applicants on fixed income, not the standard 2.5x or 3x. That’s a lower bar than nearly every market rate community in Austin.

You want more than just an apartment. Foundation Communities runs free Learning Centers with after-school and summer programs, a food pantry, and case management at their properties. Norman Commons also gives you free Wi-Fi and rent reporting to all three major credit bureaus. Only on-time payments get reported, so it can’t hurt your score. If you’re rebuilding credit, paying rent here actually builds your credit file. You won’t find that at most market rate properties.

Skip Norman Commons If…

You have a pet over 35 pounds (or the pet policy doesn’t work for you). There’s conflicting information here. The property’s locator data lists Norman Commons as “No Pets Allowed.” But Apartments.com and ApartmentHomeLiving both show pets allowed with a $300 deposit, 35 lb weight limit, max 2 pets, spayed/neutered required, and a pet interview. Call the leasing office at (737) 394-5527 to get the real answer before applying. If you need a pet friendly community with no weight limit, check our East Austin apartments guide for options nearby.

Your income exceeds the tax credit limits. Making too much money disqualifies you. If your household income is above the caps for your unit size, you cannot live here regardless of how much you want to.

You need walkability. Walk Score is 25. That’s car dependent territory. The nearest grocery store requires a drive. If walking to daily errands matters to you, this location won’t work.

You have a felony conviction within the past 5 years. Foundation Communities doesn’t budge on this. Class A misdemeanors within 3 years will also get you denied. I’ll break down the full screening criteria below.

Wondering If Norman Commons Fits Your Situation?

Fill out a quick form and I’ll reach out to go over your specifics: income, credit, background, timeline. I can check whether you’ll likely qualify before you spend $30 on an application, and I’ll share any current specials that might not be listed online. You’ll hear from a real person (me), not an automated system.

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Location Deep Dive

What’s Actually Nearby

Norman Commons sits in the East MLK corridor of 78721, just south of where US-183 and MLK Boulevard intersect. The property’s own website names the nearby essentials, and they check out: H-E-B at Capital Plaza is about 1.5 miles south on Ed Bluestein. Sprouts Farmers Market on E. 7th is about 2.5 miles. So you’re driving for groceries. No way around it.

For quick food, Dan’s Hamburgers is close by on MLK. Palomino Coffee works for your morning fix. The East Austin food scene with all the places that end up in magazine articles? That’s accessible by car, but you’re not walking to it from here.

Boggy Creek Greenbelt is about 2 miles southwest. Rosewood Park is roughly 1.5 miles south. Givens Park and Springdale Park are both within a couple of miles. And Norman Elementary School, part of Austin ISD, is right next to the property.

Bus lines 5, 18, 237, and 339 have stops within a half mile. The MLK Jr. MetroRail station is 2.8 miles away. That said, the Transit Score of 38 means public transit alone won’t cover most daily needs.

The Commute Math

Route notes: The 183 Toll Road is right there, which gives you a faster corridor north toward Samsung, the Domain, and Round Rock. Heading downtown, you’ll typically take MLK or E. 7th west to I-35. Rush hour on I-35 through East Austin adds 15-20 minutes. The toll road helps avoid that mess if you’re headed north.

Neighborhood Vibe

Let me be direct: this stretch of 78721 along Jackie Robinson Street is residential and quiet. It’s not the bar and restaurant East Austin you see in magazine articles. That’s 78702, about 3 miles west.

This area is historically Black and Latino, and it’s in the early stages of the same development wave that already transformed inner East Austin. Older single family homes sit next to newer construction. It’s low key out here. If you want nightlife or walkable restaurants, you’re driving.

Pricing and True Cost

Floor Plans

*Net effective range based on either 2 weeks free or both specials stacking. Pricing verified June 2026.

One thing to understand about those rent ranges: they reflect different income tiers (30%, 50%, 60% MFI), not different apartments. Your rent gets set by your household income and size. You don’t pick a price. The property manager determines your tier when you apply.

Net Effective Rent Calculation

Here’s the math on the current specials. The property’s locator data lists two concessions: 50% off one month plus 2 weeks free on a 12-month lease. But ApartmentHomeLiving only shows “2 weeks free.” These might be alternatives, not stacking offers. Or the deeper concession may have expired. So I’m calculating both scenarios.

If only 2 weeks free (14 days):

For a 1 BR at $1,089/month:

Daily multiplier: (365 - 14) / 365 = 0.9616
Net effective rent: $1,089 × 0.9616 = $1,047/month
Monthly savings: $42/month ($504 total savings over the lease)

If both concessions stack (29 days free):

For a 1 BR at $1,089/month:

Daily multiplier: (365 - 29) / 365 = 0.9205
Net effective rent: $1,089 × 0.9205 = $1,002/month
Monthly savings: $87/month ($1,044 total savings over the lease)

Your actual net effective rent falls somewhere between $1,002 and $1,047 depending on which special applies. Ask the leasing office to confirm before signing.

All the Fees

Here’s what stands out. The $30 application fee is among the lowest in Austin. Most communities charge $50 to $75. The $0 admin fee? I almost never see that. Market rate communities typically charge $150 to $300. And the property paying electric saves you $80 to $150/month depending on unit size and season. That’s real money.

True Monthly Cost Example

For a 1 BR at $1,089 base rent with current specials:

Net effective rent:           $1,002 to $1,047 (depending on special)
Required monthly fees:        $0 (no additional mandatory fees listed)
Electric:                     $0 (property pays)
Gas (cooking/heating):        ~$30-60 (resident pays, estimate based on Austin rates)
Wi-Fi:                        $0 (included free)
Renter's insurance:           ~$15-25
---------------------------------------
Estimated true monthly cost:  ~$1,047 to $1,132

Even at the high end of that range, you’re still paying $200 to $300 less per month than a one bedroom at Atlas Eastside (0.67 miles away, built 2024, starting at $1,238 before electric, gas, and internet). For a building that’s a year newer.

Specials change. What’s listed above was accurate as of late June 2026. I talk to leasing teams regularly, and offers shift.

Want to Know What Specials Are Actually Available Right Now?

Tax credit pricing works differently than what you see on Zillow. Your rent depends on your income tier, not on which apartment you like. I can walk you through the actual numbers for your household size and income so you’re looking at the right units.

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Screening Criteria

Income Requirements

Foundation Communities uses a 2.5x income requirement for earned income and 2x for disability, retirement, SSI, or SSDI income.

For disability/retirement/SSI/SSDI applicants at 2x:

That 2x requirement for fixed income applicants matters. Most market rate properties require 2.5x to 3x regardless of income source. So if you’re on $2,200/month disability income, you’d qualify for a 1BR here ($1,089 × 2 = $2,178 needed). At a 3x property, you’d need $3,267/month for the same unit. That gap is the difference between approved and denied.

Foundation Communities accepts Section 8 vouchers at all their properties, and income requirements for voucher holders drop even lower ($800 to $1,000/month depending on household size).

But remember: this is a tax credit property. There’s an income ceiling too. You have to earn enough to meet the 2.5x floor but not so much that you blow past the income cap for your unit’s tier.

What Gets You Denied

Let me be direct about Foundation Communities’ automatic denial triggers:

• Felony conviction within the past 5 years
• More than 2 felony convictions regardless of how long ago
• Class A misdemeanor conviction within the past 3 years
• Lifetime sex offender registration
• Skipping out on a previous lease, being asked to leave, or owing money to a prior landlord (unless the debt was paid in full)
• Negative rental history at any Foundation Communities property
• Falsifying any information on the application
• No co-signers accepted

Credit score: Foundation Communities doesn’t publish a specific credit score minimum. They look at your overall credit history. If you have credit concerns, the $30 application fee means low financial risk. But if you want to know whether your profile fits before applying, that’s exactly what I do.

If you’ve been denied at market rate properties because of screening issues, Foundation Communities’ criteria are clearer than most. You know upfront what gets you denied. The 5-year felony lookback is stricter than some second chance apartments in Austin, but the 2.5x income floor is lower than the 3x most properties demand.

The Application Process

1. Contact the leasing office at (737) 394-5527 or NormanCommons@foundcom.org
2. Submit application with income documentation (pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit verification letters)
3. Income verification against tax credit limits and minimums
4. Background and rental history screening
5. Approval, conditional approval, or denial

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Closed weekends.

What a locator provides at Norman Commons: I can pre-screen your income and background situation before you apply. Tax credit properties have specific documentation requirements that trip people up. I’ve worked with Foundation Communities properties and know what they need upfront. That saves you time and a potential denial.

What Early Residents Are Saying

Norman Commons opened in late 2025. Before writing this section, I checked every platform I could find: Google, ApartmentRatings, Yelp, Birdeye, ModernMsg, ForRent, ApartmentHomeLiving, Apartments.com, Facebook. Google is the only one with any resident reviews at all. Nine total. All 5 stars. Only three with actual written feedback.

That’s not enough to identify patterns. So I’m going to be honest about that rather than pretend 9 reviews tell a complete story.

What the Early Reviews Say

Ms. Ashley gets named twice in the written reviews. One resident called her “amazing” and “there every step of the way.” Another said the apartments are spacious. As of early April 2026, about a third of units were occupied or leased according to Community Impact reporting. The property is still filling up, which explains the thin review count and the generous move-in specials.

What to Watch For (Based on Foundation Communities’ Portfolio)

Foundation Communities manages nearly 30 properties and thousands of units across Austin. Based on their track record at other properties, here’s what to watch as Norman Commons fills up:

Maintenance response times. New buildings have fewer maintenance issues by nature. Everything’s under warranty. The real test comes at year 2 or 3 when appliances start aging and wear shows up. Foundation Communities has a mixed reputation on maintenance speed at their other properties.

Common area upkeep. 156 units sharing a fitness center, basketball court, and playground means heavy use. Ask about cleaning schedules and landscaping when you tour. New properties tend to start strong on this, but it’s worth checking back at the 6-month and 12-month marks.

Management response to reviews. I couldn’t find management responses to the existing Google reviews. At a brand new property trying to build a reputation, that’s a missed opportunity.

Community programming quality. The Learning Center and food pantry are signature Foundation Communities offerings. Ask current residents how actively those programs run at Norman Commons specifically.

The Uncomfortable Truth

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

You’re Car Dependent Here

Walk Score 25. That’s car dependent territory. The nearest full-service grocery store is over a mile away. No walkable restaurant cluster. Bus routes 5, 18, 237, and 339 have stops within a half mile, but the Transit Score of 38 tells the real story: public transit won’t replace a car for most people here. If you don’t have reliable wheels, do the math before committing. The rent savings can evaporate fast once you add a car payment, insurance, and gas.

The Pet Policy Is a Mess

Here’s something that would trip you up if you applied based on listing site info alone. The property’s locator data says “No Pets Allowed.” Apartments.com and ApartmentHomeLiving both say pets are allowed with a $300 deposit, 35 lb weight limit, max 2 pets, spayed/neutered required, and a pet interview. I’ve seen this kind of discrepancy before at new properties where policies get updated but not every platform catches the change. Don’t assume either answer is correct. Call the leasing office directly and get the pet policy in writing before you sign anything or bring an animal home.

Income Verification Happens at Renewal Too

This is the part most people don’t think about with tax credit properties. Your income gets verified again annually. If you get a raise, a promotion, or a second job that pushes your household income above the cap for your unit tier, you could face a rent adjustment or lose eligibility at renewal. That’s not Foundation Communities being difficult. It’s federal rules. Tax credit properties have to re-check income every year.

Ready to Move Forward, or Want to Look at Other Options?

You’ve seen the full picture. If Norman Commons fits your situation, I can help you prep the application. If the income caps, pet policy, or location don’t work, I know which nearby East Austin communities might be a better match.

Get Help Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Norman Commons allow pets?

The data doesn’t agree. The property’s locator data says no pets. Apartments.com and ApartmentHomeLiving both list pets allowed with a $300 deposit, 35 lb weight limit, max 2, spayed/neutered required, and a pet interview. Call the leasing office at (737) 394-5527 to confirm before applying.

What credit score do I need for Norman Commons?

Foundation Communities doesn’t publish a specific credit score minimum. They look at your overall credit history as part of the application. At $30 to apply, the financial risk is low if you’re unsure. But if you want to know before spending that $30, that’s what I do.

What utilities are included at Norman Commons?

Electric is included. The property pays your electric bill. Gas is your responsibility. Units have gas appliances (range/oven), so expect $30 to $60/month for gas depending on usage and season. Wi-Fi is free too.

How much is the security deposit?

It’s refundable and varies by unit. Apartments.com lists it as a per-unit charge but doesn’t show the dollar amount. Call the leasing office at (737) 394-5527 for your specific number.

Does Norman Commons accept Section 8 vouchers?

Yes. Foundation Communities accepts Section 8 vouchers at all of their properties. Income requirements for voucher holders are lower: $800 to $1,000/month depending on household size.

What are the income limits for Norman Commons?

Norman Commons has units at 30%, 50%, and 60% of the Area Median Income. The exact cap depends on your household size and which unit tier you’re applying for. Contact Foundation Communities or reach out to me for current numbers.

Is Norman Commons on a waitlist?

As of mid-2026, no. They’re leasing units now with no waitlist. That could change as the property fills up.

What is the lease term at Norman Commons?

The minimum lease term is 12 months. Current specials require a 12-month lease. Confirm the active offer with the leasing office.

Is Norman Commons near public transit?

Bus routes 5, 18, 237, and 339 have stops within a half mile. The MLK Jr. MetroRail station is 2.8 miles away. But the Transit Score of 38 means most daily needs still require a car.

Does Norman Commons have accessible units?

Yes. Norman Commons has at least 16 units built for mobility access and 3 more for residents with vision or hearing needs. Call the leasing office to check availability in those floor plans.

The Bottom Line: Is Norman Commons Worth It?

The value is real. Brand new 2025 construction. Electric and Wi-Fi included. $30 application fee. $0 admin fee. A one bedroom starting at $1,089 with net effective rent around $1,002 to $1,047 after specials. Market rate new construction in Austin starts at $1,238 or higher before utilities. The first year math is hard to beat for anyone who income-qualifies.

But here’s the other side: income caps that get checked every year, a pet policy nobody can seem to agree on, and a location where you need a car for basically everything.

This property makes sense if:

• Your household income falls within the tax credit tiers
• You don’t have pets, or your pet is under 35 lbs and the pet policy confirms acceptance
• You own a car or have reliable transportation
• You want new construction at below-market pricing with electric included
• On-site support services (Learning Center, food pantry, case management) are something you’d actually use

This property doesn’t make sense if:

• Your income exceeds the caps (even slightly)
• You have a pet over 35 lbs (or any pet, if the no-pets policy turns out to be accurate)
• You need a walkable neighborhood for daily errands
• You have a felony within the past 5 years or more than 2 felonies total
• You expect your income to rise significantly during the lease term

For the right renter, this is one of the best deals in East Austin right now. The question is whether the income restrictions, the pet situation, and the car dependence work for your specific life. That’s what I help people figure out.

If you want help with that, or you’d rather look at alternatives without these restrictions, fill out the form above and I’ll text you within a few hours.

Need Help Deciding?

You’ve got everything to evaluate Norman Commons on your own. But if you want help:

Fill out the form above and I’ll text you to answer questions, check your application situation, share current specials, and coordinate next steps. Tax credit applications require different documentation than market rate properties. I can walk you through what Foundation Communities needs before you apply. You’ll talk to me directly, not an automated system.

Going solo? 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.