People who apply for Section 8 are subject to income limits, which are set annually by HUD. These income limits are calculated as a percentage of the median income for individual areas of the country. There are three income-limit tiers:5
- Extremely low income: 30% of the area's median income level
- Very low income: 50% of the area's median income level
- Moderately low income: 80% of the area's median income level
These income limits take into account where you live as well as the number of people in your household. Using Los Angeles as an example again, the 2021 limits for a four-person household are as follows:6
- Extremely low income: $35,450
- Very low income: $59,100
- Moderately low income: $94,600
HUD offers an online query tool that you can use to check income limits in your area.
Note
Priority for Section 8 housing vouchers is usually given to people who are in the extremely low income limits.