The public housing program provides safe, decent, and
affordable rental housing to low- and very low-income families, the elderly,
and persons with disabilities.
Eligibility is based on area median income; residents must also be a U.S. citizen or an eligible
immigrant. Their monthly rental and utilities payments are capped at 30%
of adjusted income.
There are approximately 1.2 million public housing units owned and managed by more than 3,000 Public Housing Agencies (PHAs).
PHAs receive operating and capital subsidies from the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to cover ongoing operating
and capital costs. PHAs are responsible for general property management,
ongoing program compliance, and, in some cases, providing supportive services
to residents.
Currently, there are more than 2 million persons that reside
in about 1 million public housing households. Of those 1 million households,
more than half (52 percent) are headed by a disabled and/or elderly resident,
and nearly half (41 percent) have at least one child residing in the home.
Nearly three quarters (72 percent) of households are considered very low- or
extremely low-income, making less than 50 percent of area median income, and
the average annual tenant income is about $13,400.
