Austin generally calculates residential expenses in terms of median family income, adjustable to family size; the median lies statistically in the center, with half of Austin families (of varying unit size, see right) earning more than that amount annually and the other half making less. Eighty percent MFI – one common standard for “affordable” – clocks in for a one-person “family” at a healthy $39,850 yet is still considered “low income” by the standards of U.S. Housing and Urban Development. The standard has inevitably led to some steep rents, which are still technically “affordable.” For example, HUD defines “affordable” rent as not consuming more than one-third of a person’s income; by that reading, rent for a single person earning 80% MFI could top out at $996 a month and still technically be considered “affordable” from a developer-incentives standpoint. If Austin is serious about preserving its affordable rental stock, a fairer measure of affordability than 80% MFI – or commitment to deeper affordability – is likely needed.
| Household Size | ||||
| Income | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 30% Median Income | 14,950 | 17,100 | 19,200 | 21,350 |
| 40% Median Income | 19,900 | 22,750 | 25,600 | 28,450 |
| 50% Median Income | 24,900 | 28,450 | 32,000 | 35,550 |
| 60% Median Income | 29,850 | 34,150 | 38,400 | 42,650 |
| 65% Median Income | 32,350 | 36,950 | 41,600 | 46,200 |
| 80% Median Income | 39,850 | 45,500 | 51,200 | 56,900 |
“HUD Income Limits by Household Size,” effective March 20, 2007, from the city of Austin’s Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Office
This article appears in September 14 • 2007.