This dataset provides data on Qualified Census Tracts for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program for 2024. LIHTC Qualified Census Tracts, as defined under the section 42(d)(5)(C) of the of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, include any census tract (or equivalent geographic area defined by the Bureau of the Census) in which at least 50 percent of households have an income less than 60 percent of the Area Median Gross Income (AMGI), or which has a poverty rate of at least 25 percent. Maps of Qualified Census Tracts and Difficult Development Areas are available at: huduser.gov/sadda/sadda_qct.html .

A Difficult Development Area (DDA) for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program is an area designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with high construction, land, and utility costs relative to its Area Median Gross Income (AMGI). All designated DDAs in Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) or Primary Metropolitan Statistical Areas (PMSA) may not contain more than 20% of the aggregate population of all MSAs/PMSAs, and all designated areas not in metropolitan areas may not contain more than 20% of the aggregate population of the non-metropolitan counties.

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) property locations depicted in this map service represent the general location of the property. The locations of individual buildings associated with each property are not depicted here. The location of the property is derived from the address of the building with the most units. Location data for HUD-related properties and facilities are derived from HUD's enterprise geocoding service. The LIHTC database contains information on 40,502 projects and almost 2.6 million housing units placed in service since 1987.

This service provides spatial data and information on Difficult Development Areas (DDAs) used for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. DDAs are designated by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and defined in statute as areas with high construction, land, and utility costs relative to its Area Median Gross Income (AMGI). DDAs in metropolitan areas are designated along Census ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) boundaries. DDAs in non-metropolitan areas are designated along county boundaries. DDAs may not contain more than 20% of the aggregate population of metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, which are designated separately.

This service identifies U.S. Census Block Groups in which 51% or more of the households earn less than 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program requires that each CDBG funded activity must either principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons, aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight, or meet a community development need having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community and other financial resources are not available to meet that need. With respect to activities that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons, at least 51 percent of the activity's beneficiaries must be low and moderate income.

This service identifies U.S. Census Tracts in which 51% or more of the households earn less than 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program requires that each CDBG funded activity must either principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons, aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight, or meet a community development need having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community and other financial resources are not available to meet that need. With respect to activities that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons, at least 51 percent of the activity's beneficiaries must be low and moderate income.

Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) data documenting the extent of housing problems and housing needs, particularly for low income households, at the County level. This is estimated by the number of households that have certain housing problems and have income low enough to qualify for HUD’s programs (primarily 30, 50, and 80 percent of median income).

The Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 (Safety and Soundness Act) provides for the establishment of single-family and multifamily goals each year, including a single-family purchase money mortgage goal for families residing in low-income areas. The Safety and Soundness Act defines "low-income area" as: (a) census tracts or block numbering areas in which the median income does not exceed 80 percent of area median income (AMI), (b) families with income not greater than 100 percent of AMI who reside in minority census tracts, and (c) families with income not greater than 100 percent of AMI who reside in designated disaster areas. A “minority census tract” is a census tract that has a minority population of at least 30 percent and a median income of less than 100 percent of the AMI. Census tract level data identifying these areas are available below for 2010 and 2011 based on 2000 Census tract geography, and for 2012 and subsequent years based on 2010 Census tract geography. As in the previous underserved area definition, low-income area and minority census tract definitions are based on prior year metropolitan area definitions as determined by OMB. Designated disaster areas are identified by FHFA based on the three most recent years' declarations by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), where individual assistance payments were authorized by FEMA. Each file includes a map of the counties identified as designated disaster areas and a description of the data layout, also available separately.