Rent Subsidy Eligibility Calculator
Estimate your eligibility for rent subsidy assistance (Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher Program) based on your household income, size, and local fair market rent. Results are estimates only — contact your local Public Housing Authority (PHA) for official determination.
Formulas Used
1. Size-Adjusted AMI:
Adjusted AMI = Published AMI × Size Multiplier
(Multipliers: 1-person=70%, 2=80%, 3=90%, 4=100%, 5=108%, 6=116%, 7=124%, 8+=132%)
2. Income Limits:
Extremely Low Income = Adjusted AMI × 30%
Very Low Income = Adjusted AMI × 50% ← Section 8 / HCV eligibility threshold
Low Income = Adjusted AMI × 80%
3. Gross Rent:
Gross Rent = Monthly Rent + Utility Allowance
4. Tenant Total Payment (TTP):
TTP = max(30% × Monthly Adjusted Income, 10% × Monthly Gross Income, $50 minimum rent)
5. Housing Assistance Payment (HAP):
Effective Payment Standard = min(FMR, Gross Rent)
HAP = max(0, Effective Payment Standard − TTP)
6. Tenant's Share:
Tenant Share = Gross Rent − HAP
7. Rent Burden:
Rent Burden = (Monthly Housing Cost ÷ Monthly Income) × 100%
(HUD considers >30% cost-burdened; >50% severely cost-burdened)
Assumptions & References
- Eligibility is based on the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program under 42 U.S.C. § 1437f and 24 CFR Part 982.
- The primary income eligibility threshold is 50% of Area Median Income (AMI), adjusted for household size. By law, 75% of new vouchers must go to households at or below 30% AMI.
- The Payment Standard is assumed equal to 100% of FMR. PHAs may set payment standards between 90% and 110% of FMR (24 CFR § 982.503).
- The Tenant Total Payment (TTP) formula follows 24 CFR § 982.305 and § 5.628. This calculator uses gross income as a proxy for adjusted income; actual adjusted income accounts for deductions (dependents: $480/child, elderly/disabled: $400, medical expenses exceeding 3% of income, childcare costs).
- AMI data source: HUD Income Limits Dataset.
- FMR data source: HUD Fair Market Rents Dataset.