Income limits are calculated using a set of formula relationships The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD estimates median family income based on the most recent census data estimates updated with a combination of local Bureau of Labor statistics data and census divisional data Separate median family income estimates are calculated for all Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Primary Metropolitan Statistical Areas and Metropolitan Counties.
Very Low-Income Limits
Low-income limits are calculated using a set of formula relationships. The first step is to calculate the very-low income limits based on 50 percent of the estimated area median income for a four-person family as determined by HUD. Adjustments are then made if the 50 percent number is outside of formula constraints.
More specifically, the very low-income limit for a four-person family is calculated as follows:
50 percent of the area median family income is calculated and set as the tentative four-person family income limit;
If it is lower, the four-person income limit is increased to the amount at which 3 5 per cent of it equals 85 per cent of the annualized two-bedroom Section 8 Fair Market Rent or FMR. (this adjusts income limits upward for areas where rental housing costs are unusually high in relation to the median income.
If it is higher, the four-person income limit is reduced to the amount at which 3 0 per cent of it equals 120 per cent of the two-bedroom FMR (this adjusts income limits downward for areas where rental housing costs are unusually low in relation to the median income);
To minimize program management problems, income limits are being held at the most recent fiscal year levels in areas where the FMR reductions would have resulted in lower income limits; and in no instance are income limits less than if based on the State non-metropolitan median family income level.
Low-Income Limits:
The next step is to calculate the low-income limits. Most four-person low-income limits are the higher of 80 percent of the area median family income or 80 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median family income level. Because the very low-income limits are not always based on 50 percent of median, calculating low-income limits as 80 percent of median would produce anomalies inconsistent with statutory intent (e.g., very low-income limits could be higher than low-income limits). The calculation normally used, therefore, is to set the four-person low-income limit at 1.6 (i.e., 80%/50%) times the relevant four-person very low-income limit. The only exception is that the resulting income limit may not exceed the U.S. median family income level except when justified by high housing costs. Use of very low-income limits as a starting point for calculating other income limits has the effect of adjusting low-income limits in areas where the very low-income limits have been adjusted because of unusually high or low housing-cost-to-income relationships.
Family Size Adjustments:
Family size adjustments are made to provide higher income limits for larger families and lower income limits for smaller families. The factors used are as follows:
Number of Persons in Family and Percentage Adjustments
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
70% | 80% | 90% | Base | 108% | 116% | 124% | 132% |
Income limits for families with more than eight persons are not included in the printed lists because of space limitations. For each person in excess of eight, 8 percent of the four-person base should be added to the eight-person income limit. (For example, the nine-person limit equals 140 percent [132 + 8] of the relevant four-person income limit.) All income limits are rounded to the nearest $50 to reduce administrative burden.
Income Limits for Admissions and Continued Occupancy
Based upon the foregoing methodology, the following table sets forth the calculated income limits for admissions and continued occupancy in State-aided family public housing. These-income limits are adjusted periodically whenever the HUD estimates of area median income are revised and are, therefore, subject to change.
Income and Asset Limits for Admission (Effective March 29, 2001)
County | 1 Person | 2 Persons | 3 Persons | 4 Persons | 5 Persons | 6 Persons | 7 Persons | 8 Persons |
Honolulu | $22,600 | $25,850 | $29,050 | $32,300 | $34,900 | $37,450 | $40,050 | $42,650 |
Hawaii | 18,100 | 20,700 | 23,250 | 25,850 | 27,800 | 30,000 | 32,050 | 34,100 |
Kauai | 22,600 | 25,850 | 29,050 | 32,300 | 34,900 | 37,450 | 40,050 | 42,650 |
Maui | 23,750 | 27,150 | 30,550 | 33,950 | 36,650 | 39,400 | 42,100 | 44,800 |
Income and Asset Limits for Continued Occupancy (Effective March 29, 2001)
County | 1 Person | 2 Persons | 3 Persons | 4 Persons | 5 Persons | 6 Persons | 7 Persons | 8 Persons |
Honolulu | $36,200 | $41,350 | $46,500 | $51,700 | $55,800 | $59,950 | $64,100 | $68,200 |
Hawaii | 28,950 | 33,100 | 37,200 | 41,350 | 44,650 | 48,000 | 51,300 | 54,600 |
Kauai | 36,200 | 41,350 | 46,500 | 51,700 | 55,800 | 59,950 | 64,100 | 68,200 |
Maui | 38,000 | 43,450 | 48,900 | 54,300 | 58,650 | 63,000 | 67,350 | 71,700 |
Haw. Code R. tit. 15, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, ch. 193, subch. 6, exh. A