Down payment assistance income limits in Hawaii
13 down payment assistance programs in Hawaii publish an income limit, a purchase price cap, or both.
Every figure below is the limit the administering agency publishes. Limits are revised as area incomes and local prices move, so confirm current figures with the agency before relying on them.
Area median income by county
HUD's published four-person area median income for each Hawaii county. A program that sets its limit at a percentage of area median income applies that percentage to the figure for the county where the home is, adjusted for household size.
| County | Published | 4-person median |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 2026 | $98,300 |
| Honolulu | 2026 | $133,400 |
| Kalawao | 2026 | $121,400 |
| Kauai | 2026 | $120,100 |
| Maui | 2026 | $121,400 |
Published limits by program
| Program | Income limit | Price cap |
|---|---|---|
| Deferred Closing Costs Assistance LoanStatewide · Statewide | 80% of area median incomeHousehold income up to 80% of HUD Area Median Income (AMI) for the county where the property is located. Honolulu County FY25 100% AMI = $129,300 4-person; 80% AMI ~ $103,400 4-person. | — |
| Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL) ProgramStatewide · Statewide | 130% of area median incomeHousehold income up to 130% of HUD Area Median Income (AMI) for the county where the property is located | — |
| Down Payment Loan ProgramHonolulu · Honolulu | 80% of area median incomeAnnual gross household income limits by family size, generally up to 80% of HUD Area Median Income for Honolulu County. 2025 Honolulu County 100% AMI = $129,300 (4-person). Seed range $77,950-$164,798 reflects family-size sliding scale and possible higher AMI tier. Verify current published income limits with DCS Loan Branch. | — |
| First-Time Home Buyer's Down Payment Assistance ProgramMaui | 140% of area median incomeIncome up to 140% of Maui County AMI by household size. Seed range $69,850-$131,700 reflects 80% AMI low end through 140% AMI upper bound across household sizes. | — |
| Hale Kamaaina Mortgage Program - Down Payment Assistance (Second Mortgage Loan) | See programHousehold income limits (2025, non-targeted / targeted) by county and household size: Hawaii $123,000 (1-2 person) / $141,450 (3+); targeted $147,600 / $172,200. Honolulu $152,000 / $174,800; targeted $182,400 / $212,800. Kalawao $133,080 / $155,260; targeted $147,600 / $172,200. Kauai $159,480 / $186,060 (no targeted tracts). Maui $161,520 / $188,440; targeted same. | $809,458 |
| Hawaii County Deferred Payment LoanHawaii | See programIncome limit not published on the loans page for the Hawaii County product (the comparable Maui County product caps at 120% AMI); confirm exact AMI limit with HCL. | — |
| Homebuyer Loan ProgramKauai | 140% of area median incomeTiered by KMHI (Kauai Median Household Income) by family size. 2024 Kauai 100% KMHI = $107,100 (4-person); 2025 KMHI = $102,200 (4-person). Seed range $74,350-$140,200 reflects ~80% to 140% KMHI band. Sales-price tier brackets at 4.75%-7.50% interest, with the lowest rate for lowest-income tier. | $586,550 |
| Kahua Hale Mortgage Loan | 80% of area median incomeBorrower household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). | — |
| Kupaa Hale Mortgage Loan | 80% of area median incomeBorrowers must either be low-income (below 80% AMI) OR purchase in a low- to moderate-income census tract. | — |
| Maui County Deferred Payment LoanMaui | 120% of area median incomeBorrower must earn under 120% of Area Median Income (AMI). $200,000 maximum loan applies to low-AMI borrowers. | — |
| Max HLPR (Home Loan Payment Relief) Loan | See programIncome limit not published for the Max HLPR product specifically; HHOC Mortgage products generally serve low- to moderate-income first-time buyers (other HHOC products list 80%-130% AMI tiers). Confirm with HHOC Mortgage. | — |
| Mortgage Booster ProgramStatewide · Statewide | 120% of area median incomeHousehold income up to 120% of HUD Area Median Income (AMI) for the county where the property is located | — |
| Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program | $161,6972024 income limits (non-targeted areas), families of 2 or less / 3 or more: Honolulu $140,606 / $161,697; Maui $138,960 / $162,120; Kauai $144,840 / $168,980; Hawaii $113,200 / $130,180. Higher limits apply in targeted areas (contact HHFDC). | $785,429 |
Questions, answered
What are the income limits for down payment assistance in Hawaii?
13 down payment assistance programs in Hawaii publish an income limit, a purchase price cap, or both. 9 express the limit as a percentage of the area median income for the county where the home is, and 4 publish a flat dollar figure instead.
Why does the same program have different income limits in different counties?
Because most limits are set as a percentage of area median income, which HUD publishes per county and revises annually. A program with one published percentage therefore admits a different dollar figure in each county, and the figure is further adjusted for household size.
Is a published limit the same as being approved?
No. An income limit is one eligibility rule among several — credit requirements, purchase price caps, occupancy rules and homebuyer education all apply separately, and the first-mortgage lender underwrites on its own terms. Always confirm current figures with the administering agency.
Is Hey Prescott a lender?
No. Hey Prescott is an educational directory of down payment assistance programs. We list programs and link to official sources; we do not make loans or give individualized lending advice.
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