Household Income
Household income is an important factor in qualifying for rental assistance. Subsidized apartments offer units with different rent levels for different household income categories. Each unit also has a different income limits depending on the size of the apartment.
The household income categories are:
Acutely low income: 0-15% of AMI
Extremely low income: 15-30% of AMI
Very low income: 30% to 50% of AMI
Lower income: 50% to 80% of AMI; the term may also be used to mean 0% to 80% of AMI
Moderate income: 80% to 120% of AMI
Source: California Dept. of Housing and Community Development.
Area Median Income (AMI) is the midpoint of a region’s income distribution- half of the families in a region earn more than the median and half earn less than the median.
The 2023 Mendocino County AMI is $89,700. This table shows the the annual income limits for each household category:
| Persons in household: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acutely low income | 9,400 | 10,750 | 12,100 | 13,450 | 14,550 | 15,600 | 16,700 | 17,750 |
| Extremely low income | 17,850 | 20,400 | 24,860 | 30,000 | 35,140 | 40,280 | 45,420 | 50,560 |
| Very low income | 29,750 | 34,000 | 38,250 | 42,500 | 45,900 | 49,300 | 52,700 | 56,100 |
| Low income | 47,600 | 54,400 | 61,200 | 68,000 | 73,450 | 78,900 | 84,350 | 89,800 |
| Median income | 62,800 | 71,750 | 80,750 | 89,700 | 96,900 | 104,050 | 111,250 | 118,400 |
| Moderate income | 75,350 | 86,100 | 96,900 | 107,650 | 116,250 | 124,850 | 133,500 | 142,100 |
Source: California Dept. of Housing and Community Development. (pdf)
Example: Mary’s family of two has a household income of $30,000 per year, which is about 33% of the Mendocino Area Median Income (AMI) of $89,700.
Mary’s family may qualify for a project-based voucher for “very low income” households.
Remember that income is one factor when qualifying for subsidized housing. Our housing guides can help you figure out if you qualify, so make an appointment today!