More than 80 percent of the maximum income limits for public housing and Section 8 rental assistance were reduced, making affordable housing more accessible for Carter County residents. These numbers fluctuate from year to year based on the median area income.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development determines the limits, which were approved unanimously Tuesday by the Elizabethton Housing and Development Agency (EHDA) Board of Commissioners.

EHDA Executive Director Kelly Geagley said these numbers help determine eligibility of applicants.

“These numbers are just for people applying for Public Housing and Section 8 to see if they qualify,” said Geagley. “It has nothing to do with rent or what they pay once they are in housing.”

He said the changes only apply to new applicants and will not affect current tenants.

“Families have to be at or below the income level to be eligible for housing,” Geagley said. “Income limits do not apply for people already living in housing.”

He said for this reason, his opinion is that these numbers will have very little change, if any, on applicants for these programs.

“A great majority of applicants for housing fall well below the income limits,” he said.