Affordable Housing means different things to different people. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines "affordable housing" as housing which consumes no more than 30% of a household's monthly income, including utilities. This is the maximum a family should spend. Generally, when families or individuals spend more than 30% of their income on housing they do not have enough income to weather financial setbacks or meet other basic needs such as food, clothing and medical insurance.
The 2010 area median income for a household of 4 in Transylvania County is $56,700. HUD's definition of income levels can be seen in the table below. HUD also defines fair market rent for an area. For a two-bedroom unit the fair market rent for Transylvania County is $773. A low-income family would have to spend 66% of their monthly income for housing, instead of the suggested 30%, to be able to afford a two-bedroom unit in Transylvania County.
| Income Definition | Percent (%) of Area Median Income ($56,700) | Annual Income ($) | Monthly Income ($) | 30 Percent of Monthly Income ($) | Fair Market Rent as a Percent (%) of Maximum Affordable Rent |
| Low | > 50 to 80 | 28,351 to 45,360 | 2,363 to 3,780 | 708 to 1,134 | 109% to 68% |
| Very Low | > 30 to 50 | 17,011 to 28,350 | 1,418 to 2,363 | 425 to 708 | 181% to 109% |
| Extremely Low | < 30 | 0 to 17,010 | 0 to 1,418 | 0 to 425 | 181% or more |