Affordable Housing: Housing is "affordable" when the occupant(s) pays no more than 30% of its total income on rent and utilities; or if the occupant(s) owns their own home, than they would pay no more than 35% of their total income on their mortgage payment, insurance, taxes, homeowner association fees and utilities. Federal resources are funneled to the state and local levels for use in the development of affordable housing units, or to assist income-eligible households in purchasing, rehabilitating or renting safe and decent housing.

Area Median Income (AMI): Each year, the federal government calculates the median income for communities across the country to use as guidelines for federal housing programs. Area median incomes (AMI) are therefore set according to family size and vary region by region. In Contra Costa County, the median income for a family of four is $86,100/year. The 2008 AMI chart shows the median income for a range of household sizes. Income categories used in federal programs, such as CDBG, are calculated based on the AMI: Moderate Income (81-120% AMI), Low Income (51 to 80% AMI) and Very Low Income (below 50% AMI).

Analysis of Impediments (AI): A HUD requirement for each jurisdiction to conduct an analysis to determine impediments to fair housing choice within the community. Appropriate actions must be taken to overcome the effects of any impediments identified through that analysis.

Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG): Authorized by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to provide CDBG eligible metropolitan cities and urban counties (called "entitlement communities") with annual direct grants that they can use to revitalize neighborhoods, expand affordable housing and economic opportunities, and/or improve community facilities and services, principally to benefit low- and moderate-income persons.

Consolidated Plan: Developed by local/state governments with the input from citizens and community groups, the Consolidated Plan serves four functions: 1) it is a planning document for each state/community, built upon public participation and input; 2) it is the application for funds under HUD's formula grant programs (CDBG, HOME, ESG and HOPWA); 3) it lays out local priorities; and 4) it lays out a 3-5 year strategy the jurisdiction will follow in implementing HUD programs.

Continuum of Care: A program to help homeless Americans get housing, job training, child care and other services. The Continuum of Care, which is the centerpiece of the federal policy on homelessness, stresses permanent solutions to homelessness through comprehensive and collaborative community planning.

Fiscal Year: Any yearly accounting period, regardless of its relationship to a calendar year. City of Walnut Creek's Fiscal Year is from July 1 through June 30 of the next calendar year.

Full Time Equivalent (FTE): One FTE is 2,080 hours of paid employment. The number of FTEs is derived by summing the total number of hours (for which included categories of employees) are paid by the appropriate categories of employees and dividing by 2,080 hours (one work-year).

HUD: U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) administers many federal housing programs and grant programs. HUD's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination.

Low Income: Households whose incomes are between 51% and 80% of the area median income (AMI), as determined by HUD, based on family size.

Moderate Income: Households whose incomes are between 81% and 120% of the area median income (AMI), as determined by HUD, based on family size.

Very Low-Income: Households whose incomes do not exceed 50% of the area median income (AMI), as determined by HUD, based on family size.