Even though lower-income individuals generally spend more than 30% on rent, they ought to be spending less than 100% on rent, which means that the map should populate with numbers that are some percentage of income. Say, 50%? Which means you wouldn't have to account for food spending, as that and any other potential necessary and as-yet unaccounted for cost (e.g. transportation, basic health, child support) would be reflected in the remaining percentage of income.

My first question would be to ask how much money they want left over at the end of the month, after all expenditures. Most of the clients I had in mind when starting this don't need or want much more than cable TV, money for cigarettes, and food. They are accustomed to living way beneath their means and as a result have developed living habits that people who value frugality might consider admirable. It would probably work out to displaying a rent price of around 50-70% of their total income. I probably would never show this to someone who makes less than $1000/mo, since that individual is better fit for subsidized housing programs. It's also worth noting that the Fair Market Rent values include the price of basic utilities.

For instance, housing might be really cheap in Shohomish County, WA compared to your income in Washington County, OR, but that decrease in housing price might come with a corresponding and compensatory decrease in income.

For most of my clients, the income they receive is pretty static -- that is, Social Security, Social Security Disability, Military Service Connected Disability, Non-Service Military Disability (possibly with Aid & Attendance). These forms of compensation don't change with location.

Depending on their physical disabilities, they may also be eligible for more income with state programs as well (IHSS/PAS/HCBS) so long as there isn't a conflict with annual income ceilings or other types of benefits they already receive. Receiving these forms of income generally comes with some level of health insurance, so they'd be fine on that front as well. The welfare system is incredibly complex.

Although the mean I calculated for their income was $879.53 from their benefits, I included people who receive no benefits at all. A lot of these guys make $1300-$1600/mo which isn't affordable in metropolitan areas, but is fine in plenty of other places.

Out of curiosity, what do you do for a living?

I'm a case manager for homeless veterans with a non-profit.

Thanks for the feedback!