In Puerto Rico: Income Limits Webinar

HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge welcomed a virtual audience from Puerto Rico to an information session on the methodology used to calculate income limits for the island.

Every year, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sets income limits that determine eligibility for assisted housing programs, including the Public Housing, Section 8 project-based, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, Section 202 housing for the elderly, and Section 811 housing for persons with disabilities programs. Since the year 2016, HUD has received input from private and government housing partners, non-profit organizations, and industry stakeholders in Puerto Rico of the need to modify income limits for Puerto Rico to help more families qualify for these programs, in tune with the realities of the local costs of living and housing.

On June 22, 2022, HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge welcomed a virtual audience from Puerto Rico to an information session on the methodology used to calculate income limits for the island. The live webinar with more than 300 participants was the result of a Secretary Fudge's commitment made in San Juan earlier this year to address local stakeholders' request to understand the process.

HUD San Juan Field Office in collaboration with the Regional Office and the Office of the Secretary, coordinated the public engagement session. Governor Pedro Pierluisi and Resident Commissioner Jennifer González-Colón attended the event and provided remarks. It was the first of a series of steps HUD is taking to address Puerto Rico's local government, non-profit, and private industry questions, and concerns regarding how the Department calculates income limits for Puerto Rico.

The webinar offered live Spanish language translation and American Sign Language interpretation. Adam Bibler from the Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) presented on the methodology used by HUD to develop Income Limits. Douglas Rice from the Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) then followed up with a presentation on the more practical implications of how Income Limits apply to HUD programs like Public Housing and HOME, and others such as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.

In response to questions received over time, HUD has developed answers to frequently asked questions (www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il.html#2022_faq) on Puerto Rico income limits in both English and Spanish. A recording of the event and additional resources is available at HUD's YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/user/HUDchannel/featured).

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