How to Determine Rent on Subsidized Housing

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers a variety of programs for rental assistance, including the Section 8 housing choice voucher, public housing and privately owned subsidized housing. For each type of housing assistance, eligibility and the amount of assistance received is determined based on income and resources. Income guidelines vary from region to region.

Things You'll Need

• Calculator
• Pencil
• Paper
• Documentation for all income sources

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Instructions

• 1

  Calculate your annual household income. This figure includes employment, Social Security benefits, SSI, child support, pensions, unemployment benefits and other types of income. If you are paid on a weekly basis from your employer, estimate your annual income by taking the average of the last four pay periods and multiply it by 52. If you are paid bi-weekly, estimate the average of the last two pay periods and multiply by 26. To obtain your monthly household income, divide the annual household income by 12.

• 2

  Obtain information regarding the median income of your housing authority's region. If your household income is greater than 80% of this amount, then you are ineligible for HUD assistance. In almost all cases, your income must be 50% of the median income or below to qualify for HUD assistance, with the majority of vouchers being awarded to individuals and families whose household income is below 30% of the median income.

• 3

  Contact your local housing authority to obtain the "standard rental rate" for an apartment for yourself or your family.

• 4

  Subtract 30% of your monthly income from the "standard rental rate". This is an estimate of the maximum housing assistance that HUD will provide for your rent each month. You will be responsible for the remaining portion.

• 5

  Contact your local housing authority office to schedule an appointment to apply for housing assistance and to have a more accurate figure calculated for your housing assistance. Bring copies of your utility bills, your 12-month pharmacy printout, all out-of-pocket medical bills, child support payments and other monthly expenses. These expenses can be deducted from your monthly income which can lead to an increase in the amount of assistance provided by HUD.