Common Questions
Below are some commonly asked questions about the public housing program.
What is Public Housing?
What is subsidized housing?
What is HUD?
How do I qualify for Public Housing?
How do I determine what I will pay and what the Housing Authority will pay?
What is Minimum Rent?
Public housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Public housing comes in all sizes and types that is owned and managed by the housing authority. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers Federal aid to housing authorities that manage the housing for low-income residents at rents they can afford.
"Subsidized housing" is a term used to describe housing which is financed in whole or in part with government funding.
"HUD" is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD is the U.S. government agency responsible for delivering the vast majority of the nation's affordable housing programs.
How do I qualify for Public Housing?
To qualify for Public Housing, your family's income must not exceed the low income limits for the number of people that will be living in the household as shown in the table below:
INCOME GUIDELINES (PUBLIC HOUSING) EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2018 |
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| HOUSEHOLD | EXTREMELY LOW | VERY LOW | LOW |
| 1 Person | $12,750 | $21,200 | $33,900 |
| 2 Persons | $16,460 | $24,200 | $38,750 |
| 3 Persons | $20,780 | $27,250 | $43,600 |
| 4 Persons | $25,100 | $30,250 | $48,400 |
| 5 Persons | $29,420 | $32,700 | $52,300 |
| 6 Persons | $33,740 | $35,100 | $56,150 |
| 7 Persons | $37,550 | $37,550 | $60,050 |
| 8 Persons | $39,950 | $39,950 | $63,900 |
How do I determine what I will pay and what the Housing Authority will pay?
You need to figure out your household's total annual income. Once this is done, you need to subtract any mandatory deductions, such as childcare, disability assistance, and medical expenses. Divide this amount by 12, which gives you your monthly adjusted annual income. To determine your share of rent, it is the highest of the following amounts:
- 30 percent of the family's monthly adjusted income; or
10 percent of the family's monthly gross income.
Minimum Rent is the lowest total tenant payment permitted for tenants receiving Section 8 assistance. The minimum rent is $30 and is used when 30% of adjusted monthly income and 10% of gross monthly income (where applicable) are all below $30. The minimum rent covers the tenant’s contribution for rent and utilities.