Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Revenues [Abstract]
Property revenues	$ 4,145,933	$ 4,031,179	$ 8,384,862	$ 7,596,732
Mortgage revenue bond investment income	2,288,646	2,407,760	4,660,050	4,628,673
Gain on sale of bonds	667,821	0	667,821	0
Other income	43,427	148,950	82,772	400,311
Total Revenues	7,145,827	6,587,889	13,795,505	12,625,716
Expenses [Abstract]
Real estate operating (exclusive of items shown below)	2,447,042	2,374,329	4,726,976	4,506,537
Provision for loss on receivables	238,175	710,690	476,350	710,690
Depreciation and amortization	1,527,403	1,316,112	2,966,308	2,449,171
Interest expense	1,546,688	1,630,527	2,865,223	2,404,261
General and administrative	1,048,366	677,422	1,698,945	1,319,017
Total Expenses	6,807,674	6,709,080	12,733,802	11,389,676
Income (loss) from continuing operations	338,153	(121,191)	1,061,703	1,236,040
Income from discontinued operations	90,113	379	136,147	14,383
Net income (loss)	428,266	(120,812)	1,197,850	1,250,423
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	122,218	122,436	261,370	304,497
Net income (loss) - America First Tax Exempt Investors, L.P.	306,048	(243,248)	936,480	945,926
Net income (loss) allocated to:
General Partner	165,927	56,769	174,630	71,462
Net income (loss) allocated to limited partners	399,130	116,905	1,260,718	1,571,515
Unallocated loss of Consolidated Property VIEs	(259,009)	(416,922)	(498,868)	(697,051)
Noncontrolling interest	122,218	122,436	261,370	304,497
Net income (loss)	$ 428,266	$ (120,812)	$ 1,197,850	$ 1,250,423
Unitholders' interest in net income per unit (basic and diluted):
Net income (loss), basic and diluted, per unit	$ 0.01	$ 0.00	$ 0.04	$ 0.05
Weighted average number of units outstanding, basic and diluted	33,682,818	30,122,928	31,912,707	30,122,928