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Difficult Development Areas 2026

Published by Office of Policy Development and Research, GIS Helpdesk and Open Data Division | Department of Housing and Urban Development | Catalog Last Checked: September 30, 2026 at 03:13 PM | Dataset Last Updated: September 30, 2025 at 02:51 PM
This service provides spatial data and information on Difficult Development Areas (DDAs) used for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. DDAs are designated by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and defined in statute as areas with high construction, land, and utility costs relative to its Area Median Gross Income (AMGI). DDAs in metropolitan areas are designated along Census ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) boundaries. DDAs in non-metropolitan areas are designated along county boundaries. DDAs may not contain more than 20% of the aggregate population of metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, which are designated separately. Difficult Development Areas (DDA) for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program are designated by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and defined in statute as areas with high construction, land, and utility costs relative to its Area Median Gross Income (AMGI).  DDAs in metropolitan areas are designated along Census ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) boundaries.  DDAs in non-metropolitan areas are designated along county boundaries.  DDAs may not contain more than 20% of the aggregate population of metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, which are designated separately. To learn more about Difficult Development Areas (DDA) visit: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/qct.html, for questions about the spatial attribution of this dataset, please reach out to us at GISHelpdesk@hud.gov. Data Dictionary: DD_Difficult Development Areas Date of Coverage: 2026 Last Updated: 09-2025

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Complete Metadata
@type Dataset
accessRights Public
accrualPeriodicity annually
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[
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description This service provides spatial data and information on Difficult Development Areas (DDAs) used for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. DDAs are designated by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and defined in statute as areas with high construction, land, and utility costs relative to its Area Median Gross Income (AMGI). DDAs in metropolitan areas are designated along Census ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) boundaries. DDAs in non-metropolitan areas are designated along county boundaries. DDAs may not contain more than 20% of the aggregate population of metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, which are designated separately. Difficult Development Areas (DDA) for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program are designated by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and defined in statute as areas with high construction, land, and utility costs relative to its Area Median Gross Income (AMGI).  DDAs in metropolitan areas are designated along Census ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) boundaries.  DDAs in non-metropolitan areas are designated along county boundaries.  DDAs may not contain more than 20% of the aggregate population of metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, which are designated separately. To learn more about Difficult Development Areas (DDA) visit: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/qct.html, for questions about the spatial attribution of this dataset, please reach out to us at GISHelpdesk@hud.gov. Data Dictionary: DD_Difficult Development Areas Date of Coverage: 2026 Last Updated: 09-2025
distribution 
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identifier https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=87d645f216024a07936c0f8bb0f20366
issued 2025-02-24
keyword 
[
  "Boundaries",
  "Community Development Programs",
  "DDA",
  "Difficult Development Areas",
  "Economy",
  "HUD",
  "HUD.Official.Content",
  "LIHTC",
  "Location",
  "Low Income Housing Tax Credit",
  "QCT",
  "Qualified Census Tracts",
  "Society",
  "U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development",
  "polygon"
]
landingPage 
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  "title": "Difficult Development Areas 2026 landing page"
}
modified 2025-09-30T14:51:32.906Z
programCode 
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publisher 
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      "name": "U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development",
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rights 
[
  "HUD and the dataset and metadata authors assume no responsibility for the use or misuse of the dataset. No warranty, expressed or implied is made with regard to the accuracy of the spatial accuracy, and no liability is assumed by the U.S. Government in general, the dataset creators or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development specifically, as to the spatial or attribute accuracy of the data."
]
spatial 
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  "@type": "Location",
  "prefLabel": "United States and Minor Outlying Islands"
}
title Difficult Development Areas 2026

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