The federal government sets income limits, based on a size of a household, to qualify for housing programs. The allowable income may vary depending on the program or population served, but the income limits are expressed as a percentage of “Area Median Income” (AMI). These limits are published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) annually for all metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas of the country, including Westchester County. Because Westchester County is a “High Cost” area, HUD has given the county permission to use its calculation of 80 percent AMI, rather than HUD’s own calculation which includes averaging this Income Limit on a national basis.

The income limits must be used for any program involving federal funding, but has also been adopted by Westchester County for use with its programs. HUD’s income limits provide a national standard that is widely accepted by professionals working with affordable housing issues and developments. These limits are also used by New York State and other financiers of affordable housing in providing funds for affordable housing developments in Westchester County, including charitable organizations, banks and lenders.

Westchester County encourages municipalities, local housing agencies and others to utilize the HUD Income Limits. Use of these standards will enable units created locally, that meet the County’s definition of affordable housing, to be credited to the municipality under the Housing Allocation Plan.