What Are the Income Limits For Section 8 Housing?
Section 8 is a government-funded program that helps low-income families afford housing. The program provides subsidies to landlords who agree to rent to Section 8 tenants, and it also helps families with the cost of rent. In order to be eligible for the program, families must meet certain income requirements.
In general, families who participate in the Section 8 program must have an annual income that is below 50% of the median income for their area. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Families who are considered “extremely low-income” may be eligible for Section 8 assistance even if their income is above 50% of the median.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sets the limits every year, and they’re based on your family size, adjusted gross annual income (AGI), and whether or not you have dependents other than a spouse or children.
What Are the Section 8 Income Limits?
The federal government imposes limitations on how much income tax a person can earn each year. These limits are known as “income limits.” They vary depending on whether you are an individual or a married couple filing jointly. The limits are based on your marital status, the number of children you have, and your filing status.
In FY 2022, Income Limit(s) under Section 8 ( will be Effective 5/1/2022)
| Number of Persons | Extremely Low Income 30% of Median | Very Low Income 50% of Median | Low Income 80% of Median |
| 1 | $25,050 | $41,700 | $66,750 |
| 2 | $28,600 | $47,650 | $76,250 |
| 3 | $32,200 | $53,600 | $85,800 |
| 4 | $35,750 | $59,550 | $95,300 |
| 5 | $38,650 | $64,350 | $102,950 |
| 6 | $41,500 | $69,100 | $110,550 |
| 7 | $44,350 | $73,850 | $118,200 |
| 8 | $47,200 | $78,650 | $125,800 |
Types of Section 8 Income Limits
The most common types of Section 8 income limits are:
- income limits for homeless families
- income limits for homeless single adults
- income limits for homeless elderly or disabled people
1. Income Limits for Homeless Families:
There are two types of Section 8 income limits for homeless families:
- A family’s annual income can be no more than 80 percent of the area median income. This applies to all families with children who are receiving government subsidies for housing (including Section 8 vouchers).
- A family’s total assets cannot be more than 30 percent of their annual income, and they must own a home or have equity in a home that they can live in while they receive benefits.
2. Income Limits for Homeless Single Adults:
Section 8 provides a place to live to homeless single adults who are at or below the income limits. The income limits for homeless single adults are:
- $25,050 per month for one person (30% of Median)
- $28,600 per month for two people (30% of Median)
- $32,200 per month for three people (30% of Median)
3. Income Limits for Homeless Elderly or Disabled People:
Income limits for homeless elderly or disabled people are slightly different. They are based on the number of people in a household, not on their total income. The maximum amount of money that a family can receive from public housing or other subsidized housing is calculated by taking all members’ incomes and dividing them by 10.
If you are an older or disabled person who is homeless, there are a number of income limits that you may be able to meet in order to qualify for Section 8 housing program. The table Above provides examples of these limits.
There are also limits to the amount of assets you can have.
One of the biggest factors that determine your income limits is the value of your assets. If you have a lot of assets, then your income limit goes up. On the other hand, if you have very little in assets and/or debts, then your income limits will go down.
Report all of your income
The IRS requires that you report all of your income. This includes money you earn at work, money you get from investments, and any other income that comes in.
You have to report all of your earned income, which includes wages and tips, and interest and dividend payments. If you’re self-employed, you also have to report all of your business income.
What if my income is slightly higher than the limit?
If your income is slightly higher than the limit, you may be able to apply for a hardship exemption. The hardship exemption allows you to exceed the limits while still maintaining your household’s financial security. However, you must be able to show that the increase in income is temporary and that it will not last longer than 6 months.
If your income is slightly lower than the limit, you may be eligible for an increased rate if you have been making payments consistently over a long period of time. In this case, you will be required to make payments at a higher rate for each additional month of missed payments.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the income limits for Section 8 housing vary depending on the location and size of the household. However, applicants are generally required to have an income that is at or below 80% of the area’s median income. Therefore, those who are interested in applying for Section 8 housing should determine whether they meet the income requirements before doing so.
