Affordability Levels
Defining Affordability
Based on Federal and State definitions, affordable housing means only 30% of a household’s monthly income should go to housing-related expenses. Anything above 30% may affect a person’s ability to pay for essentials such as food and healthcare.
When we use the term ‘affordable housing’, we mean housing that is in some way designed for lasting affordability (like deed-restrictions or City regulatory restrictions) to ensure households are not paying more than 30% of their monthly income on housing-related expenses, such as rent and utilities or a mortgage.
Affordability levels have both Federal and State definitions and are based on the Area Median Income (AMI), which is the midpoint of a jurisdiction’s income distribution.
City of East Palo Alto Affordability Definitions
The City has the following affordability definitions (see Municipal Code 18.37):
"35% AMI Income Household" are those households whose income does not exceed 35 percent of the area median income, adjusted for family size and as published annually by the City of East Palo Alto.
"Low-Income Households" are those households whose income does not exceed 60 percent of the area median income, adjusted for family size and as published annually by the City of East Palo Alto.
"Median-Income Households" are those households whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the area median income, adjusted for family size and as published annually by the City of East Palo Alto.
"Moderate-Income Households" are those households whose income does not exceed 120 percent of the area median income, adjusted for family size and as published annually by the City of East Palo Alto.
Income and Rent Limits
East Palo Alto Income and Rent Limits Schedules
2024 Income and Rent Limits (coming soon)
