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The Housing Affordability Index (HAI) is adjusted by replacing median household income with 50% of the median household income. The result is an overall HAI that reflects, for the typical household with income at 50% of the median household income for the area, the percent of income required to occupy the median housing unit including both sold and rented housing. The sold component of the overall HAI measures, for the typical household with income at 50% of the median household income, the percent of income required for the Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Homeowner’s Insurance (PITI) payment for the median unit sold. The rental component of the overall HAI measures, for the typical household with income at 50% of the median household income, the percent of median household income required for gross rent, including utilities, for the median unit rented.

The HAI (at 50% Median Household Income) is depicted for the most recent quarter in the chart below. The orange box illustrates the sold component which reflects, for the typical household with income at 50% of the median household income, the percent of income required to own the typical unit. The yellow box represents the rental component which reflects, for the typical household with income at 50% of the median household income, the percent of income required to rent the typical unit. The blue box, representing the overall HAI (at 50% Median Household Income), is the weighted average of the sold and rental components (each component is weighted by its respective share of the housing market; sold by the percent of owners and rental by the percent of renters) and reflects, for the typical household making 50% of median income, the percent of income needed to afford a typical home.

For households making 50% of median income, what percent of their income is needed to afford a typical home?

There were about households with incomes at or below 50% of median.
Affordability from a Metropolitan Perspective (Not applicable for State): Replacing the jurisdiction 50% of median household income with the metropolitan 50% of median household income of results in a revised HAI of (with the sold component = and the rent component = ).

NA = Data not available.
Note: Owner costs are based on units sold in this quarter. If number of sales is small, view index with caution.
Sources: MLS Sales Data (Virginia Association of REALTORS®), U.S. Census, American Community Survey, Consolidated Housing Affordability Strategy Data, and Virginia Tech Center for Housing Research.

This chart shows the trend of housing affordability based on 50% of median household income over time. Quarterly data is shown for the Housing Affordability Index at 50% of Median Household Income (HAI_50%) which represents affordability of the typical housing unit (either sold or rent); the sold component of the HAI_50% which represents affordability of the typical sold unit; and the rent component of the HAI_50% which represents the affordability of the typical rental unit.

How has that percentage changed over time?

Missing points = Data not available.
Note: A small number of sales may cause erratic trends.
Sources: MLS Sales Data (Virginia Association of REALTORS®); U.S. Census, American Community Survey; and Virginia Tech Center for Housing Research.

Statewide Map of Housing Affordability Index at 50% of Median Household Income

This map, for the most recent quarter, shows the Housing Affordability Index at 50% of Median Household Income (HAI_50%) for Virginia Counties and Independent Cities allowing for a visual comparison of housing affordability of the typical housing unit for localities in Virginia. More intense red color indicates a higher index (meaning a larger percent of household income is needed for housing). Grey color indicates that data is not available. Move mouse over the map to see the percentage values for individual localities. Use the sliders at the bottom of the map to select a range of values to display (the default is all, 0%-100%).

The data contained in SOURCEBOOK is intended for informational, educational and research uses. The information may not be used for commercial purposes or re-marketed. Any reproduction and distribution of this information must clearly identify HousingForward Virginia and SOURCEBOOK as the provider of the information.