Final answer:
To qualify for a Housing Choice Voucher, a household's income must typically not exceed 50% of the area median income (AMI), with 75% of vouchers going to those below 30% of the AMI. Considerations of local cost of living and the impact of other aid programs like Medicaid are also essential when discussing housing assistance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The maximum percent of area median income (AMI) allowable for a household to qualify for a Housing Choice Voucher, which is part of the federal housing assistance, depends upon the guidelines set by the local Public Housing Authority (PHA). Generally, to be eligible for this type of housing assistance, a household's income must not exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area in which the family chooses to live. However, by law, the PHA must provide 75% of its vouchers to applicants whose incomes do not exceed 30% of the AMI.
It's important to consider that while the AMI threshold is set nationally, the cost of living can vary significantly from one area to another. For instance, the median household income and the cost of basic goods, such as housing, are quite different across states. In this way, while discussing housing assistance, these local variations and the impact of both cash and non-cash government programs such as Medicaid and food aid may influence the actual living conditions of low-income families.