### Question
How does the law define very low-income families?


### Answer
Under *42 U.S.C. § 1437a*, **very low-income families** is defined as:

> low-income families whose incomes do not exceed 50 per centum of the median family income for the area, as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families, except that the Secretary may establish income ceilings higher or lower than 50 per centum of the median for the area on the basis of the Secretary's findings that such variations are necessary because of unusually high or low family incomes

#### Citation:
  - *42 U.S.C. § 1437a*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 8-LOW-INCOME HOUSING > SUBCHAPTER I-GENERAL PROGRAM OF ASSISTED HOUSING**

