Real Estate Case Competition: ULI Hines Student Competition: Affordable Housing

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sets income limits that determine eligibility for assisted housing programs including the Public Housing, Section 8 project-based, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, Section 202 housing for the elderly, and Section 811 housing for persons with disabilities programs. HUD develops income limits based on Median Family Income estimates and Fair Market Rent area definitions for each metropolitan area, parts of some metropolitan areas, and each non-metropolitan county.

The Congressional Research Service has put together this report for Members and Committees of Congress. Today’s federal housing assistance programs fall into three main categories: rental housing
assistance, assistance to state and local governments, and assistance for homeowners. Most of
these programs are administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Existing and pending home sales, housing affordability and metro area median home prices and affordability data.

HUD awards discretionary funding through over 20 Grant programs that support HUD initiatives, including Affordable Housing Development and Preservation, Community and Economic Development, Environment and Energy, Fair Housing, Homelessness, Homeownership, Rental Assistance, and Supportive Housing and Services.

Local Housing Solutions (LHS) was developed for policymakers and practitioners from cities of different sizes and different levels of resources and technical capacity. LHS presents a rich and evolving set of resources to support comprehensive, balanced, and equitable housing strategies that enhance affordability, protect low-income residents from displacement and unsafe conditions, and foster inclusive neighborhoods.

Learn about government programs that help low-income people find affordable rental housing. Each of the programs - subsidized housing, public housing, and housing choice vouchers - is different. Get the details on how they work, who is eligible, and how to apply.

The National Low Income Housing Coalition educates, organizes and advocates to ensure decent, affordable housing for everyone.

HUD collects LIHTC data at the property level and the tenant level. This page provides access to the property and tenant level data and also to data on Qualified Census Tracts and Difficult Development Areas designated by HUD.

The Urban Institute and Brookings Institution Tax Policy Center describe he Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) , which subsidizes the acquisition, construction, and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income tenants.

The Tax Foundation is the nation’s leading independent tax policy 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Since 1937, it has provided principled research, insightful analysis, and engaged experts to inform smarter tax policy at the federal, state, and global levels.

The National Housing Law Project's mission is to advance housing justice for poor people and communities. It has compiled information about the low-income housing tax credit and related topics.