HOME PJs have the flexibility to choose one of three definitions of "annual income" to determine the income eligibility of applicants to their HOME Program activities. However, there are several HOME rules and requirements that apply regardless of the definition of income a PJ chooses to use. These overarching rules and requirements include:

• determining whose income to count;
• anticipating income;
• verifying income;
• assessing income information;
• comparing income to HOME Program Income Limits; and
• timing income certifications.

The three definitions of "annual income" that PJs may use to determine the eligibility of applicants are presented in detail in the Three Definitions of Income topic of this module.