NAHRO - Building Communities Together for 75 Years

Site Tools:

Calendar Calendar

Contact Information Contact Information

Site Map Site Map

Site Search Site Search

NAHRO Homepage NAHRO Home

About NAHRO
Legislative/Regulations
Member Services
Join NAHRO
Conference/Seminars
Professional Development
Transpire, Inc.
Publications/Resources
Awards
Press Room

 Members Login Here

Jobs
Advocacy
Committees
Email Lists
News
NAHRO Monitor
Small Agencies
Solutions Database

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

1.  How many American people are homeowners?

2.  What are the federal income limits used to define the terms "very low-income" and "low-income"?

3.  How do I find affordable housing in my neighborhood?

4.  How would you define"affordable housing?"

Do you have an interesting FAQ that you would like posted?
Email your question to faqs@nahro.org
1.  How many American people own their own homes?

According to the HUD, the U.S. homeownership rate rose to 66 percent in the second quarter of 1998—tying the all-time rate set in the third quarter of 1997.  The number of families owning their own homes rose to 68.3 million—the highest number in American history. (Source:  Today's FOCUS at HUD, 7/22/98)

Back to Questions

2. What are the federal income limits used to define the terms "very low-income" and "low-income."

The most important statutory provisions relating to income limits are as follows:

  • "very low-income" is defined as 50 percent of the median family income for the area, subject to specified adjustments for areas with unusually high or low incomes;

  • "low-income" is defined as 80 percent of the median family income income for the area, subject to adjustments for areas with unusually high or low incomes or housing costs;

  • where the local median family income is less than the State nonmetropolitan median income, income limits are based on the State nonmetropolitan median; and,

  • income limits are adjusted for family size so that larger families have higher income limits.

(Source:  HUD Notice PDR-98-02:  Transmittal of Fiscal Year (FY) 1998 Public Housing/Section 8 Income Limits, January 7, 1998)

Back to Questions

3.  How do I find affordable housing in my neighborhood?

There are several approaches to finding affordable housing in your community.

  1. Visit the HUD Web Site's Field Office Directory   which lists the HUD offices by area.  Note that housing is limited to federally funded affordable housing.

  2. Check you phone book and look under County/State/City Listings for the Housing Department.

  3. NAHRO is made up of Regional Councils, Chapters and State Associations.  Link to this area on the NAHRO web site and find your geographic area.  Area offices may be able to direct you to the appropriate agency.

  4. Our State Housing and Community Development Agencies page offers additional information on who to contact.

  5. See also our Housing Help for Individuals page.

Back to Questions

4.   How would you define "affordable housing?"

A definition was included in Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez Housing Act.  For rental units, it defined "affordable housing" as that renting for no more than 30 percent of income for a family making no more than 65 percent of the area median income.  For homeownership units, it defines "affordable" as a house selling for no more than 95 percent of the area median purchase price.

Back to Questions

Updated: 11/15/2000