Housing Policy Cheat Sheet

The core ideas of Housing Policy distilled into a single, scannable reference — perfect for review or quick lookup.

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Quick Reference

Affordable Housing

Housing for which the occupant pays no more than 30 percent of gross household income on housing costs, including utilities. When households exceed this threshold, they are considered cost-burdened, limiting their ability to meet other basic needs.

Zoning

Local government regulations that divide land into zones specifying permitted uses (residential, commercial, industrial) and development standards such as building height, density, and setbacks. Zoning profoundly shapes housing supply and neighborhood character.

Redlining

The discriminatory practice, initiated by the Home Owners' Loan Corporation in the 1930s, of denying or limiting financial services to residents of certain neighborhoods based on racial or ethnic composition, regardless of individual creditworthiness.

Housing Vouchers (Section 8)

A federal rental assistance program administered by HUD that provides subsidies to low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities, allowing them to rent housing in the private market while paying approximately 30 percent of their income toward rent.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)

Created by the Tax Reform Act of 1986, LIHTC is the largest source of affordable housing financing in the United States, providing tax credits to private developers in exchange for setting aside a portion of units at below-market rents for qualifying tenants.

Fair Housing Act

Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. It also established enforcement mechanisms through HUD and the courts.

Inclusionary Zoning

A land-use policy that requires or incentivizes developers to include a percentage of affordable units in new residential developments, typically in exchange for density bonuses, tax breaks, or expedited permitting.

Rent Control and Rent Stabilization

Government regulations that limit the amount by which landlords can increase rents on existing tenants, designed to protect tenants from rapid rent increases and displacement. Rent stabilization typically allows moderate annual increases, while strict rent control may freeze rents.

Public Housing

Government-owned and operated residential properties developed to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals and families. In the United States, public housing is managed by local Public Housing Authorities under HUD oversight.

Gentrification

The process by which investment and development in a lower-income neighborhood leads to rising property values, changes in neighborhood character, and the potential displacement of long-term residents who can no longer afford increased rents or property taxes.

Key Terms at a Glance

Affordable Housing:Housing for which occupants pay no more than 30 percent of gross income on housing costs including utilities.

Area Median Income (AMI):The midpoint household income for a geographic area, calculated by HUD and used to set eligibility thresholds for housing programs.

Blockbusting:The illegal practice of inducing homeowners to sell at below-market prices by exploiting fears about neighborhood racial change.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG):A federal program providing flexible annual grants to communities for housing, economic development, and neighborhood improvement benefiting low- and moderate-income persons.

Community Land Trust:A nonprofit organization that holds land in trust for the community, leasing it to homeowners or developers to preserve long-term housing affordability.

Community Reinvestment Act (CRA):A 1977 federal law requiring banks to meet the credit needs of all communities they serve, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.

Cost-Burdened:A household spending more than 30 percent of gross income on housing costs. Severely cost-burdened households spend more than 50 percent.

Disparate Impact:A legal standard under which facially neutral policies can violate fair housing law if they disproportionately harm a protected group without sufficient justification.

Exclusionary Zoning:Land-use regulations that effectively exclude affordable or multi-family housing, such as large-lot minimums and single-family-only districts.

Fair Housing Act:Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, prohibiting discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA):A federal agency created in 1934 that insures private mortgage loans, reducing lender risk and enabling broader access to homeownership.

Gentrification:A process of neighborhood change involving investment, rising property values, and the potential displacement of lower-income residents.

Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8):A federal rental subsidy allowing low-income households to rent in the private market, paying approximately 30 percent of income toward rent.

Housing First:An evidence-based approach providing permanent housing to homeless individuals without preconditions such as sobriety or employment.

HUD:The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the principal federal agency for housing programs, fair housing enforcement, and community development.

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