The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released its income limits for 2009, which are used to determine eligibility for housing assistance under several federal housing programs.

HUD develops the median family income estimates using income data from the annual American Community Survey. Starting with the completion of the 2007 survey, the Census Bureau made three-year aggregations of income data available. These three-year data are being used for the first time in the calculation of the fiscal 2009 income estimates. Other changes are also outlined.

HUD will issue a separate income limits publication for the low-income housing tax credit program.

The background information can be found at www.huduser.org.