Affordable Housing

Affordable housing is housing that an individual or family can rent or purchase without spending 30 percent or more of their income. Under this guideline, millions of American families cannot afford housing in the community where they live. Governments and other organizations provide programs to help some families pay for housing, including subsidies and vouchers, but many families that qualify do not receive this help. Qualifying for affordable housing is based on how an individual’s or family’s income compares to the Area Median Income (AMI), or the typical income in the community.