LMI

101 East Capitol, Suite 350, Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 682-1611 FAX (501) 682-3991

What is LMI?

LMI means Low-to-Moderate Income. For the purposes of the CDBG Program, a "Low Income" household is one in which the total household income does not exceed fifty percent of the median income for the area, as adjusted for household size by HUD, while a "Moderate Income" household is one in which the total household income does not exceed eighty percent of the median income for the area, as adjusted for household size by HUD.

LMI statistics may be obtained from the most recent Census data, or may be collected in a special survey.

Data Sources for LMI Determinations

Using Census Tract data to establish an LMI percentage for your project sounds much easier than performing a survey – until it comes time to actually find the Census data. Then things can get complicated! Although we do not maintain the following websites, the Commission routinely recommends them as good sources for census data:

(1)

The Institute for Economic Advancement’s Census State Data Center

This site is maintained as a public service of the UALR College of Business, and can be found at

http://www.aiea.ualr.edu/census/default.html

Click the Arkansas Census Data link.

Next, click the Low to Moderate Income from [most recent census] Census link.

There you will find tables of Low to Moderate Income data for individuals and households, by Arkansas Counties and Arkansas Cities. The third page of each table contains the percentage you are looking for.

The HUD Community Development Program also maintains census data by state. This link

http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/systems/census/ar/index.cfm

is to the 2000 Census data, with low to moderate income estimates for the current fiscal year. You will be interested in the last table, the Non-entitled Local Government Summaries. The first listings in the table are for Arkansas Counties (column E), and the subsequent listings are for Arkansas Cities (column I).

In most cases, you will want more specific county data, broken down by townships. That information can be found at the US Census Bureau site:

http://www.census.gov/

A wide variety of data can be obtained from these tables, including area Median Household Income, which is also required on the application.