Housing Affordability: What It Really Costs to Live in Today’s Market

When we talk about housing affordability, the ability of individuals or families to secure safe, stable housing without spending more than 30% of their income on rent or mortgage. Also known as safe housing costs, it’s not just about how much a home costs—it’s about whether your paycheck can actually cover it, plus utilities, insurance, and repairs. Too many people think affordable housing means cheap apartments, but it’s really about balance. A $1,200 rent might seem fine until you realize your job pays $2,800 a month, and after taxes, transportation, food, and medical bills, you’re left with nothing.

That’s why Section 8 income limits, the maximum earnings allowed to qualify for federal housing assistance in the U.S.. Also known as HUD income caps, it’s a key part of the puzzle matter so much. In Virginia, for example, a family of four earning over $58,000 a year can’t get Section 8 help—even if they’re paying half their income on rent. And it’s not just income. public housing eligibility, the set of rules that determine who can live in government-subsidized homes. Also known as housing authority requirements, it includes criminal records, eviction history, and even immigration status. One missed payment or a minor offense can kick you out, even if you’re working full-time.

Then there’s the legal side. In Baltimore County, you can’t rent a house to more than five people if it has two bedrooms—even if the space is big enough. rental limits, local laws that cap how many people can live in a rental unit based on bedroom count. Also known as occupancy rules, they’re meant to prevent overcrowding, but they also block families from sharing costs. Meanwhile, in Virginia, landlords can raise rent by 10% or 20% next year—no cap, no warning. That’s not affordability. That’s instability.

People think affordable housing is about building more units. But the real issue? Rules that keep people out, incomes that don’t rise, and landlords who don’t have to play fair. The posts below show you exactly how these systems work—not in theory, but in real cases. You’ll see what blocks people from getting help, how rent caps fail, and where you can still find a deal—even if the system isn’t built for you.