Affordable housing is a generic term and is often used interchangeably with low income housing. In reference to this article, Portland’s inclusionary zoning law applies to households making at or below 80 percent of area median income (AMI), which is $58,650 for a family of four according to the City’s website, or households at or below 60 percent AMI. You will often hear some Cities and real estate industry folks refer to this kind of program as “workforce housing. (see )

Low income housing requires some sort of public subsidy, most often Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), to be financially feasible. These types of projects target families at or below, 60,50 and or 30% AMI. In LIHTC properties, residents pay no more than 30% of their income in rent. Also, 80% AMI units don’t qualify for Federal low income housing tax credits.This is a rather simplistic explanation. If you have any other questions, I will help as best I can.