How to Qualify for Affordable Housing

Our residents include restaurant employees, construction workers, housekeepers, college grads, teachers, and retirees relying on social security. AHC’s thousands of residents reflect the vibrant, diverse population that has shaped the Washington-Baltimore region for decades. All share a common need for an affordable, secure, and convenient, high-quality place to live.

Who Qualifies for Affordable Housing?

A blue-tinted box centered on a blurred cityscape background displays the text 30%–80% in dark font, referencing the income ranges of those who qualify for affordable housing.

AHC provides affordable housing for families earning between 30% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), which is the midpoint of incomes in a given geographic area.

For example, in Arlington the median income for a family of four was $163,900 in 2025. This means a family of four can qualify for affordable apartment that is income-limited at 50% AMI if they earn a household income not more than $81,950 (50% of AMI in Arlington), while a single person can earn up to $57,400 and still qualify. Although HUD recommends housing costs not exceed 30% of annual income, this standard is often unrealistic in the expensive mid-Atlantic region. We’ve provided links below for further regional-specific information on qualifying for affordable housing.

Regional Housing Information

Baltimore City, MD

Alexandria City, VA

Baltimore County, MD

Arlington County, VA

Montgomery County, MD

Fairfax County, VA

Washington, DC

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