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Category: Low Income Housing

Low-Income Housing designates income-restricted residential properties developed, subsidized, or managed through municipal housing authorities and private developers receiving federal subsidies, reserving units for individuals and households earning between 30 and 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI).

Low-Income Pillars Income Eligibility Tiers Housing Directory Low-Income FAQs

Core Low-Income Housing Guides

Intake Protocol

What You Need to Apply for Low-Income Housing

Checklist of government IDs, pay stubs, tax transcripts, and proof of residency required for intake.

Immigration & Eligibility

DACA & Non-Citizen Housing Eligibility

Navigating HUD Section 214 citizenship requirements and mixed-status family prorated rent rules.

Development Mechanics

Developer’s Guide to Low-Income Housing

Financing mechanisms, regulatory agreements, and statutory compliance required to construct subsidized units.

Navigating Public Housing, Project-Based Section 8 & LIHTC Properties

Low-income housing operates through three primary statutory channels, each with distinct application portals, waiting lists, and rent calculation methodologies. Traditional Public Housing is owned directly by municipal authorities like the Detroit Housing Commission (DHC). Tenants pay 30% of their adjusted gross income.

In contrast, LIHTC (Low-Income Housing Tax Credit) communities are privately owned. Rents in LIHTC buildings are not tied to individual tenant income fluctuations; rather, rents are capped at statutory dollar maximums tied to 50% or 60% of the regional Area Median Income.

Program StructureOwnership EntityRent Calculation BasisWaiting List Type
Public Housing (Conventional)Municipal Housing CommissionStrictly 30% of tenant adjusted incomeCentralized municipal PHA waitlist
Project-Based Voucher (PBV)Private Landlord / Non-Profit30% of tenant adjusted incomeSite-specific individual property waitlist
LIHTC Tax Credit PropertyPrivate For-Profit / Non-ProfitFixed maximum rent based on unit AMI tierOn-site property management intake

Low-Income Housing Directory

Tax Credits & Funding

Development & Construction

Frequently Asked Questions

Can DACA recipients qualify for low-income housing?

While direct federal Section 8 and public housing programs require eligible immigration status under Section 214, DACA recipients are fully eligible for state-funded housing programs and private Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) communities, which do not impose citizenship restrictions.

What is a mixed-status family in public housing?

A mixed-status family includes both citizens (such as US-born children) and non-citizens without eligible immigration status. HUD permits mixed-status families to live in public housing or receive vouchers under a prorated subsidy formula proportional to the number of eligible household members.

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