“Lower income housing” represents housing that is for individuals and families making up to 120% of the area median income (AMI) for a household is split into three categories: moderate, low, and very low. The Orange County AMI is currently $127,800. 

Moderate income in Orange County would be households making between 80%-120% of AMI, which would be between $114,800-$153,350 for a household of four. Low income would be households making between 50%-80% of AMI and very low income would be households making between 30-50% of AMI.

It is important to note that RHNA also requires jurisdictions to provide for market rate (or above moderate income) housing opportunities. In fact, approximately 1/3 of the City’s RHNA requirement is for market rate housing.