What Is Area Median Income (AMI)? A Housing Help Guide
AMI is the middle income for your area, set by HUD each year. See how it sets Section 8, public housing, LIHTC and HOME limits for your family size.
KPCB Staff · Oct 21, 2026
KPCB Staff
Combined Expertise In The Low Income Housing Space For 10 Years
Guides written and reviewed by the KPCB Edge editorial team. We check every figure against the agency that runs the program and update our guides when the rules change.
Guides by KPCB Staff
Does Medicaid Pay for In-Home Care? Coverage and How to Apply
Medicaid can pay for nursing visits, home health aides and help with daily tasks at home. See what's covered, who qualifies, and how family can get paid.
KPCB Staff · Jul 10, 2025
PHA Pre-Application: How to Get on a Housing Waiting List
What a housing authority pre-application asks, how to fill it out, what happens after you submit it, and how to keep your place on the waiting list.
KPCB Staff · Jul 1, 2025
Social Security Payments: Dates, Amounts and the 2027 COLA
When Social Security and SSI payments arrive in late 2026 and 2027, how much the 3.6% COLA adds, and what to do if a payment is late or missing.
KPCB Staff · Jun 24, 2025
60,000 New Section 8 Vouchers? What HUD Funded and How to Apply
HUD never released a batch of 60,000 new Section 8 vouchers. See what new vouchers were funded in 2025 and 2026 and how to get on a waiting list.
KPCB Staff · Jun 18, 2025
Hidden Benefits You Might Qualify For: Programs People Miss
Lesser-known help with phone, internet, energy, Medicare, school meal and tax costs, who qualifies, and how to apply through official channels.
KPCB Staff · Mar 24, 2025
How to Get Free or Discounted Childcare in Your Area
Find free or low-cost childcare through Head Start, your state's child care assistance program, and federal tax breaks, with steps for applying.
KPCB Staff · Feb 13, 2025
How to Transfer a Section 8 Voucher to Another State
HUD's portability rules for moving your Section 8 voucher out of state: who can move, the steps to take, and what changes at your new housing agency.
KPCB Staff · Aug 4, 2022
Service Animals vs. Emotional Support Animals: What's Different
How service animals and emotional support animals differ in stores, rental housing and on flights, including HUD's 2026 change for ESAs in housing.
KPCB Staff · Aug 2, 2022
California Assisted Living Waiver: Eligibility and How to Apply
How California's Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver works: who qualifies, the 15 counties, the waitlist, room and board costs and how to apply.
KPCB Staff · Mar 31, 2022
The Difference Between SNAP and WIC, and How to Get Both
How SNAP and WIC differ in who qualifies, what each one buys and current income limits, plus how to apply for one or both programs for free.
KPCB Staff · Mar 28, 2022
Landlord and Tenant Rights: Federal Protections and State Law
Most tenant rights come from state and local law. Here are the federal protections that apply everywhere and where to get free legal help.
KPCB Staff · Nov 5, 2021
How to Become a Section 8 Landlord: Steps, Inspections and Rent
How landlords join the Housing Choice Voucher program: contacting the PHA, screening, inspections, rent reasonableness, the HAP contract and payments.
KPCB Staff · Oct 26, 2021
Section 811 Housing for People With Disabilities: How to Apply
Section 811 helps very low-income adults with disabilities rent affordable homes. See who qualifies, how rent is set, and how to apply for free.
KPCB Staff · Sep 9, 2021
Section 8 Background Check: What PHAs Look For and Who Is Denied
What a Section 8 background check covers, the four federal reasons a PHA must deny you, what's left to local policy, and how to dispute a denial.
KPCB Staff · May 18, 2021
FHA Loan Requirements: Credit, Down Payment and How to Apply
FHA loan rules explained: the 580 and 500 credit score tiers, 3.5% or 10% down, mortgage insurance, 2026 loan limits and how to apply with a lender.
KPCB Staff · May 7, 2021
Rent to Own: How It Works, the Risks, and Section 8 Rules
How rent-to-own homes work, what option fees and rent credits are, the risks to check before you sign, and how Section 8 voucher rules apply.
KPCB Staff · Apr 8, 2021
SNAP Eligibility and Benefits: Income Limits and How to Apply
Who qualifies for SNAP (food stamps), the income limits and maximum benefits for Oct. 2026 to Sept. 2027, and how to apply in your state.
KPCB Staff · Mar 16, 2021
Facing Homelessness? Steps to Take Today for Shelter and Help
Who to call first if you are losing your home or have nowhere to stay tonight: 211, your local homeless help line, shelters, eviction help and hotlines.
KPCB Staff · Jan 21, 2021
How to Check if You're on the Section 8 Waitlist After Applying
How to confirm your Section 8 application made the waitlist, keep your spot, and know what happens when the housing authority calls your name.
KPCB Staff · Jan 15, 2021
LIHEAP Energy Assistance: Who Qualifies and How to Apply
LIHEAP helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. See the FY2027 income limits, crisis help rules, and how to apply in your state.
KPCB Staff · Nov 16, 2020
What to Do If You Didn't File a Tax Return: Steps to Fix It
Missed a tax return? How to check if you had to file, claim a refund within 3 years, get free IRS help and transcripts, and file a past-due return.
KPCB Staff · Nov 8, 2020
HUD Housing Programs for People With Disabilities
Which HUD programs help people with disabilities pay rent, who qualifies for Mainstream vouchers, Section 811 and public housing, and how to apply free.
KPCB Staff · Nov 1, 2020
Does Section 8 Check Your Credit? Credit Scores and Rental Help
How credit affects Section 8 and public housing, what landlords can check, whether applying hurts your score, and how to fix errors on your reports.
KPCB Staff · Nov 1, 2020
What Are Housing Grants? Where Real Housing Help Comes From
Federal housing grants go to states and cities, not to you directly. Learn how down payment help, USDA repair grants and free housing counselors work.
KPCB Staff · Oct 29, 2020
Section 8 Income Eligibility: How to Check If You Qualify
See how Section 8 income limits work, what counts as income, how to look up the limit for your area, and how your share of the rent is figured.
KPCB Staff · Oct 27, 2020
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Apartments: How to Qualify
How LIHTC apartments work for renters: income limits, how the rent is capped, how to find properties near you, and using a Section 8 voucher.
KPCB Staff · Oct 23, 2020
SSDI vs. SSI: How They Differ and What Each Pays in 2026 and 2027
Compare SSDI and SSI: who qualifies, 2026 and 2027 payment amounts, resource limits, Medicare vs. Medicaid, and how to apply with Social Security.
KPCB Staff · Oct 16, 2020
How to Apply for Medicare Online: A Step-by-Step Guide
Sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B online through Social Security. See when to apply, what you need, 2026 costs, and help if your income is low.
KPCB Staff · Oct 13, 2020
Enrolling in WIC: Who Qualifies, Income Limits and How to Apply
Who can get WIC, the July 2026 to June 2027 income limits, how SNAP, Medicaid or TANF can qualify you, what to bring and how to sign up.
KPCB Staff · Sep 14, 2020
Enrolling for CHIP: How to Get Low-Cost Health Coverage for Kids
Learn who qualifies for CHIP, what it covers and costs, and how to apply through your state or HealthCare.gov. Applying is free and open all year.
KPCB Staff · Sep 10, 2020
How to Enroll in Medicaid: Who Qualifies and How to Apply
Who qualifies for Medicaid, how to apply online, by phone, by mail or in person, what to have ready, how long a decision takes, and how to appeal.
KPCB Staff · Sep 5, 2020
How to Make an Unemployment Claim: Filing With Your State
How to file for unemployment benefits: who usually qualifies, which state to file in, what to have ready, and what to do after you apply or get denied.
KPCB Staff · Sep 5, 2020
Section 8 Housing Guide: How Vouchers Work and Who Qualifies
What Section 8 is, how the voucher splits your rent, who qualifies, what you pay, and how long it takes, with links to the official HUD tools.
KPCB Staff · Sep 4, 2020
TANF Eligibility: Who Qualifies and How to Apply for Cash Help
Who qualifies for TANF cash assistance, the federal 60-month limit and work rules, what your state decides, and how to find your state's TANF office.
KPCB Staff · Sep 4, 2020
How SNAP Works: EBT Cards, Benefit Amounts and Renewals
How SNAP food benefits work day to day: applying in your state, using your EBT card, what you can buy, how amounts are figured, and how to keep benefits.
KPCB Staff · Aug 26, 2020
Benefits of Affordable Housing, Who Qualifies and How to Apply
See what HUD affordable housing programs give you, from rent tied to your income to the right to a hearing, plus who qualifies and how to apply for free.
KPCB Staff · Aug 26, 2020
The Steps to Section 8: How to Apply and Get a Voucher
Step-by-step guide to Section 8: who qualifies, how to apply through your housing authority, the waiting list, using your voucher and keeping it.
KPCB Staff · Aug 26, 2020
Public Housing vs. Section 8: Differences and How to Apply
How public housing and Section 8 vouchers differ in rent, where you live, and moving, plus who qualifies, how to apply for free, and background checks.
KPCB Staff · Aug 26, 2020
Emergency Housing and Emergency Section 8: Where to Get Help Now
Need a place to stay tonight? Call 211, reach your local homeless help line, and learn how Section 8 priority and emergency vouchers work.
KPCB Staff · Aug 26, 2020
How to Apply for Section 202 Housing for Seniors
Who qualifies for Section 202 senior housing, how rent is set, and how to find a building and apply directly with the property manager.
KPCB Staff · Aug 26, 2020
How to Add Someone to Your Section 8 Voucher, Step by Step
How to get a spouse, partner, child or relative added to your Housing Choice Voucher: who approves it, what to bring, and how it changes your rent.
KPCB Staff · Aug 25, 2020
Seniors Applying for Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
If you are 62 or older, see how Section 8 counts Social Security, the $550 elderly deduction, medical costs and assets when you apply for a voucher.
KPCB Staff · Aug 25, 2020