Income Requirements
Your household income must generally be below 50% of the median income in your area. Here are current limits for a family of four:| State / Area | Income Limit (Family of 4) |
|---|---|
| Texas (Houston area) | $44,650/year |
| Florida (Miami area) | $43,800/year |
| California (LA area) | $56,300/year |
| Georgia (Atlanta area) | $46,850/year |
| Illinois (Chicago area) | $50,200/year |
| Arizona (Phoenix area) | $44,100/year |
| New York (NYC area) | $55,950/year |
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What You Need for Your Appointment
Have these ready before you go
Government-issued Photo ID — Driver’s license, passport, or state ID for all adults.
Social Security Numbers — SSN cards for every household member.
Proof of Income — Last 4 pay stubs. Include tips and gig income.
Bank Statements — Last 3 months, all accounts. Include every page.
Employment Letter — On company letterhead with salary and start date.
Rental History + References — Last 3 years of addresses + 2 landlord references.
Common mistakes to avoid
❌ Missing bank statement pages — include blank ones too.
❌ Not reporting all income — cash jobs and gig work count.
❌ Expired IDs — check dates 2 weeks before your appointment.
Who Gets Priority?
Most local agencies give preference to:- Veterans and active-duty military families
- Elderly applicants (62 and older)
- People with disabilities
- Families currently homeless or at risk of homelessness
- Families displaced by natural disasters
- Households where at least one member is employed
Citizenship Requirements
- U.S. citizens qualify automatically
- Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are eligible
- Certain other eligible immigration statuses qualify
- Mixed-status families: eligible members can still receive prorated assistance
Background Check
PHAs will review:- Rental history — evictions in the last 3–5 years may be disqualifying
- Criminal background — certain offenses may disqualify (varies by PHA)
- Prior housing assistance — outstanding debts to a previous PHA must be resolved
Deductions That Can Lower Your Calculated Income
The PHA allows deductions that reduce your income calculation — meaning the government covers more of your rent:- $480 per dependent in your household
- $400 deduction for elderly or disabled households
- Medical expenses exceeding 3% of income (elderly/disabled only)
- Childcare costs for working families