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Basic Eligibility Criteria
PART II: BASIC ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
3-II.A. INCOME ELIGIBILITY AND TARGETING
Income Limits
HUD is required by law to set income limits that determine the eligibility of applicants for HUD’s assisted housing programs, including the housing choice voucher program. The income limits are published annually and are based on HUD estimates of median family income in a particular area or county, with adjustments for family size.
Types of Low-Income Families [24 CFR 5.603(b)]
Very low-income family. A family whose annual income does not exceed 50 percent of the median income for the area, adjusted for family size.
Extremely low-income family. A family whose annual income does not exceed30 percent of the median income for the area, adjusted for family size.
HUD may establish income ceilings higher or lower than 30, 50, or 80 percent of the median income for an area if HUD finds that such variations are necessary because of unusually high or low family incomes.
Using Income Limits for Eligibility [24 CFR 982.201]
Income limits are used for eligibility only at admission. Eligibility is established by comparing a family’s annual income with HUD’s published income limits. To be income-eligible, a family must be one of the following:
3-II.A. INCOME ELIGIBILITY AND TARGETING
Income Limits
HUD is required by law to set income limits that determine the eligibility of applicants for HUD’s assisted housing programs, including the housing choice voucher program. The income limits are published annually and are based on HUD estimates of median family income in a particular area or county, with adjustments for family size.
Types of Low-Income Families [24 CFR 5.603(b)]
Very low-income family. A family whose annual income does not exceed 50 percent of the median income for the area, adjusted for family size.
Extremely low-income family. A family whose annual income does not exceed30 percent of the median income for the area, adjusted for family size.
HUD may establish income ceilings higher or lower than 30, 50, or 80 percent of the median income for an area if HUD finds that such variations are necessary because of unusually high or low family incomes.
Using Income Limits for Eligibility [24 CFR 982.201]
Income limits are used for eligibility only at admission. Eligibility is established by comparing a family’s annual income with HUD’s published income limits. To be income-eligible, a family must be one of the following:
- Extremely low-income family
- Very low-income family
| Household Size | Extremely Low Income | Very Low Income |
| 1 | $14,350 | $23,950 |
| 2 | $18,310 | $27,350 |
| 3 | $23,030 | $30,750 |
| 4 | $27,750 | $34,150 |
| 5 | $32,470 | $36,900 |
| 6 | $37,190 | $39,650 |
| 7 | $41,910 | $42,350 |
| 8 | $45,100 | $45,100 |