Update--Oregon: Variable Impacts Result from Changing Extremely Low Income Definition for the Voucher Program.

Update/Caveat:
I've received feedback that the XLI limits likely will not be allowed to exceed the lesser of the new calculation amount OR the 50% MFI limit.
This seems plausible, but I don't see any specific language in the legislation that provides that additional limitation, other than providing Secretary discretion.
Rather than changing my Excel worksheet calculations, I have added a row alerting the reader that is SUBJECT TO CHANGE once HUD publishes its Notice.
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The 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill  signed into law contains a provision (Section 238) that changes the voucher definition of Extremely Low Income to the higher of 30% of Median Family Income or the Poverty Limit, adjusted for bedroom size.  
Notes:  

1. This change will ONLY occur AFTER HUD publishes a notice to implement this provision. 
2. Not yet clear to me whether this definition will also be used for public housing or any other HUD subsidy programs.

I have put together an Excel workbook HERE and embedded below with MY calculations of the impact of this change for Oregon; all the user has to do is select the county of interest. 

Two observations:  

1. Eligibility impacts increase as family size income increases. For the Portland metro area for example the new limit does NOT impact 1 or 2 person households but increases eligible income by 14.7% for 4 person households.
2. Impacts vary by area. In Jackson county ALL household sizes see increases in eligible XLI incomes; 5.1% for a 1 person household, but 50.5% for a 4 person household. 

Originally created and posted on the Oregon Housing Blog.