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Down payment assistance income limits in Iowa

44 down payment assistance programs in Iowa 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 Iowa 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.

HUD four-person area median income by county in Iowa
CountyPublished4-person median
Adair2026$102,900
Adams2026$99,300
Allamakee2026$90,200
Appanoose2026$71,900
Audubon2026$90,300
Benton2026$113,100
Black Hawk2026$91,000
Boone2026$112,300
Bremer2026$108,300
Buchanan2026$99,400
Buena Vista2026$96,900
Butler2026$96,900
Calhoun2026$86,500
Carroll2026$103,900
Cass2026$93,500
Cedar2026$98,900
Cerro Gordo2026$97,400
Cherokee2026$104,600
Chickasaw2026$97,700
Clarke2026$88,700
Clay2026$94,700
Clayton2026$87,000
Clinton2026$95,900
Crawford2026$89,200
Dallas2026$116,400
Davis2026$98,900
Decatur2026$79,400
Delaware2026$94,600
Des Moines2026$84,700
Dickinson2026$110,100
Dubuque2026$106,300
Emmet2026$87,600
Fayette2026$85,800
Floyd2026$96,100
Franklin2026$87,400
Fremont2026$96,200
Greene2026$91,200
Grundy2026$91,000
Guthrie2026$116,400
Hamilton2026$96,800
Hancock2026$88,300
Hardin2026$90,100
Harrison2026$114,000
Henry2026$86,600
Howard2026$86,700
Humboldt2026$91,400
Ida2026$81,000
Iowa2026$101,700
Jackson2026$93,600
Jasper2026$95,900
Jefferson2026$100,500
Johnson2026$121,400
Jones2026$97,700
Keokuk2026$84,600
Kossuth2026$96,300
Lee2026$84,700
Linn2026$105,300
Louisa2026$97,300
Lucas2026$82,900
Lyon2026$96,600
Madison2026$116,400
Mahaska2026$93,300
Marion2026$104,700
Marshall2026$92,100
Mills2026$114,000
Mitchell2026$96,800
Monona2026$89,300
Monroe2026$93,300
Montgomery2026$86,800
Muscatine2026$92,100
O'brien2026$101,300
Osceola2026$91,000
Page2026$84,300
Palo Alto2026$104,100
Plymouth2026$103,300
Pocahontas2026$82,200
Polk2026$116,400
Pottawattamie2026$114,000
Poweshiek2026$97,000
Ringgold2026$95,500
Sac2026$97,700
Scott2026$97,500
Shelby2026$99,300
Sioux2026$109,800
Story2026$122,400
Tama2026$87,900
Taylor2026$80,900
Union2026$81,300
Van Buren2026$82,500
Wapello2026$83,000
Warren2026$116,400
Washington2026$93,800
Wayne2026$85,800
Webster2026$98,400
Winnebago2026$93,600
Winneshiek2026$106,100
Woodbury2026$97,900
Worth2026$99,800
Wright2026$85,100

Published limits by program

Published income limits and purchase price caps by program in Iowa
ProgramIncome limitPrice cap
AHEAD Regional Housing Trust Fund Down Payment Assistance ProgramOttumwa · Wapello$100,000Total household income must not exceed $100,000/year regardless of household size (AGI from Form 1040 plus non-reportable income such as SSI/SSDI/support).—
Cedar Falls Housing Trust Fund Homebuyer AssistanceCedar Falls · Black Hawk80% of area median incomeHouseholds must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI), based on household size, for Cedar Falls/Black Hawk County.—
Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homeownership ProgramCedar Rapids · Linn; Benton80% of area median incomeHousehold income must fall within 30% (minimum) to 80% (maximum) of Area Median Income, by family size, separately for Linn and Benton Counties. 2025-26 Linn County: 1=$21,350-$56,950; 2=$24,400-$65,050; 3=$27,450-$73,200; 4=$32,150-$81,300; 5=$37,650-$87,850; 6=$43,150-$94,350; 7=$48,650-$100,850; 8=$54,150-$107,350. 2025-26 Benton County: 1=$23,300-$62,100; 2=$26,600-$70,950; 3=$29,950-$79,800; 4=$33,250-$88,650; 5=$37,650-$95,750; 6=$43,150-$102,850; 7=$48,650-$109,950; 8=$54,150-$117,050.—
City of Ames CDBG Homebuyer Assistance Program (with Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa)Ames · Story80% of area median incomeTotal gross household income must not exceed 80% of the Ames MSA limit by household size (effective June 15, 2023, subject to change): 1=$59,600; 2=$68,100; 3=$76,600; 4=$85,100; 5=$91,950; 6=$98,750; 7=$105,550; 8=$112,350.—
Down Payment AssistanceCouncil Bluffs · Pottawattamie80% of area median income80% AMI Pottawattamie County — typically $61,350 (1 person) up to $115,650 (8+ person), per HUD published 2025/2026 limits.—
Down Payment Assistance ProgramIowa City · Johnson80% of area median income~120% AMI Johnson County / Iowa City MSA — typically $66,200 (1 person) up to $109,700 (8+ person) by household size.$285,000
Dubuque and Jackson Counties Habitat for Humanity Homeownership ProgramDubuque · Dubuque$82,150Household gross income within published min/max ranges by size (2025 HUD-based): 1p $21,600-$57,550 ... 4p $32,150-$82,150 ... 8p $54,150-$108,450.—
Dupaco / Fannie Mae HomeReady Down Payment AssistanceDubuque · DubuqueSee programFollows Fannie Mae HomeReady income eligibility (generally income at or below 80% AMI for the property location); additional Dupaco eligibility guidelines apply. Exact limits not published on the announcement page.—
Dupaco R.W. Hoefer Foundation First-Time Homebuyer GrantDubuque · DubuqueSee programEligibility guidelines apply; specific income limits are determined by Dupaco's mortgage lending department and not published on the public grant sheet.—
Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Corporation Housing Trust Fund - Down Payment AssistanceDubuque · Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, Jackson80% of area median incomeAdjusted annual household income at or below 80% of area median income (county-specific). 2025 limits effective 4/1/2025, 80% of median by household size 1-8: Cedar 58,450/66,800/75,150/83,500/90,200/96,900/103,550/110,250; Clinton 52,150/59,600/67,050/74,500/80,500/86,450/92,400/98,350; Dubuque 57,550/65,750/73,950/82,150/88,750/95,300/101,900/108,450; Delaware 54,250/62,000/69,750/77,500/83,700/89,900/96,100/102,300; Jackson 53,300/60,900/68,500/76,100/82,200/88,300/94,400/100,500. At least 30% of state HTF funds must benefit households at or below 30% AMI.—
FHLB Des Moines Home$tart Down Payment Grant80% of area median incomeAt or below 80% of area median income based on household size and state/county; includes income of all current and intended household members; calculated as of enrollment date—
FHLB Des Moines Native American Homeownership Initiative (NAHI) Grant80% of area median incomeAt or below 80% of area median income (HUD or NAHASDA income limits) based on household size; includes income of all current and intended household members—
First Time Home Buyer ProgramCedar Rapids · Linn80% of area median income80% AMI Linn County / Cedar Rapids MSA — typically $35,200 (1 person) up to $119,000 (8+ person) by household size, per HUD published 2025/2026 limits.$219,000
First-Time Homebuyer Loan Program (City of Dubuque)Dubuque · Dubuque80% of area median incomeFirst-time buyers at or below 80% AMI; up to $25,000 for households at/below 30% AMI. Separate moderate-income program serves >80% to <=100% AMI. Specific current dollar chart to be confirmed with City.—
FirstHome 2nd LoanStatewide · Statewide$173,460Household income limits vary by county and household size per IFA's published 2025/2026 charts; non-targeted ~$99,800-$130,520, targeted ~$120,000-$173,460.$665,000
FirstHome GrantStatewide · Statewide$173,460Household income limits vary by county and household size per IFA's published 2025/2026 charts; non-targeted ~$99,800-$130,520, targeted ~$120,000-$173,460.$665,000
Greater Des Moines Habitat Homeownership: Direct (Down Payment Assistance)Des Moines · Polk80% of area median incomeHousehold income between 50% and 80% of area median income for household size (Polk/Dallas/Jasper AMI)—
GreenState H.O.M.E. Loan & Grant ProgramSee programTargeted to people of color living in low- to moderate-income census tracts; home purchase may be in any neighborhood. Specific income thresholds determined by lender at application.—
Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa Homeownership ProgramMason City · Cerro Gordo80% of area median incomeTotal income up to ~80% AMI with min/max ranges by family size: 1p $18,790-$50,083 ... 4p $26,825-$71,525 ... 8p $35,425-$94,433.—
Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities Homeownership ProgramDavenport · ScottSee programIncome within HUD income guidelines (posted 06/2025); a family of 3 or fewer must make at least $30,000/year. Min/max ranges by household size in the HUD guidelines on the program page.—
Historic West Des Moines Housing Fund - Down Payment ProgramWest Des Moines · PolkSee programIncome-based per program guidelines (guidelines PDF is CMS-gated).—
Homebuyer Assistance Program (City of Waterloo)Waterloo · Black Hawk80% of area median incomeHousehold income at/below 80% AMI for Waterloo/Cedar Falls MSA; effective 6/1/2026: 4-person $75,300 (1p $52,750 ... 8p $99,400).$219,000
Homebuyer Down Payment Grant ProgramDavenport · Scott80% of area median income80% AMI Scott County (Davenport MSA) — typically $50,150 (1 person) up to $94,550 (8+ person) by household size.—
Homeownership Assistance ProgramMultiple120% of area median income~120% AMI SW Iowa — typically $77,200 (1 person) up to $115,650 (8+ person) by household size; verify current limit by county at intake.—
Homes for Iowans 2nd LoanStatewide · Statewide$173,460Single statewide income tier of $173,460 regardless of county or household size (HFI is non-bond-funded and not subject to MRB county-by-county limits).$665,000
IFA Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program (ECICOG)Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Washington80% of area median incomeAt/below 80% AMI for household size, varies by county; effective 5/1/2026 (e.g., Benton/Iowa/Jones/Linn/Washington 4-person $75,300; higher in Johnson County).$324,000
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity Homeownership ProgramIowa City · JohnsonSee programHousehold total gross income must fall within 40-80% of the Area Median Income of the county of residence; limits vary by household size and are published as a table image on the Criteria and Application page (exact dollar figures not machine-readable). All wages and benefits counted (SSI, SSDI, retirement, alimony, VA benefits, child support). HUD-based, subject to change.—
Journey to HomeownershipDes Moines · Multiple100% of area median incomeHousehold income must be below 100% of the Area Median Income for NFC lending areas in Polk and Linn Counties.—
Military Homeownership AssistanceStatewide · StatewideSee programNo separate Military Homeownership Assistance income limit; limits of paired FirstHome or HFI first mortgage apply.—
Muscatine Down Payment Assistance - $2,500 GrantMuscatine · Muscatine$88,7801-2 person $77,200; 3-7 person $88,780; 8+ person $92,050; based on gross household income.—
Muscatine Down Payment Assistance - Thrive Don't DriveMuscatine · Muscatine80% of area median income1p $48,800; 2p $55,800; 3p $62,750; 4p $69,700; 5p $75,300; 6p $80,900; 7p $86,450; 8p $92,050 (gross household income).—
MyPad Down Payment Assistance ProgramSioux City · Woodbury80% of area median income80% AMI Woodbury County / Sioux City MSA — typically $51,800 (1 person) up to $97,700 (8+ person) by household size.$185,000
Neighborhood Reinvest Down Payment AssistanceDes Moines · Multiple100% of area median incomeHousehold annual income at or below 100% of Area Median Income.—
NFC Advantage Loan - Forgivable Renovation Loan & Down Payment AssistanceDes Moines · Polk100% of area median incomeDown payment assistance component requires household income at/below 100% AMI (per NFC 2026 HUD limits); renovation loan component eligibility may differ.—
NFC Closing Cost AssistanceDes Moines · Multiple80% of area median incomeIncome limits ~80% AMI tier in NFC's service area; $56,300 (lower) up to $119,350 (upper) depending on household size.—
Polk County Down Payment Assistance ProgramPolk80% of area median incomeHousehold annual income at or below 80% of the area median income (specific dollar limits by household size are published in the program's income-limit table).—
Region XII COG Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance ProgramCarroll · Audubon, Carroll, Crawford, Greene, Guthrie, SacSee programSubject to income eligibility for low-to-moderate income households (Housing Trust Fund / Iowa Finance Authority limits apply). Specific income table by household size not published on the official site; not confirmed.—
SICOG / SIDG Housing Revolving Loan Fund (H-RLF) Down Payment AssistanceCreston · Adair; Adams; Clarke; Decatur; Madison; Ringgold; Taylor; UnionSee programNo hard income cap is published; SIDG can generally make a loan to a borrower at any income level, but at least 51% of first-time homebuyers assisted must meet low-to-moderate income guidelines. Specific income tables by household size are not published on the official source.—
SIMPCO Pathway to Purchase Homebuyer GrantSioux City · Woodbury80% of area median incomeHousehold income at or below 80% of HUD median family income limits (2026 income guidelines by household size)—
Siouxland Habitat for Humanity Homeownership ProgramSioux City · Woodbury80% of area median incomeHousehold income between 40% and 80% of area median income (HUD, updated annually). Sioux County 2025 4-person range $43,867-$87,680.—
Southwest Iowa Housing Trust Fund Homeownership Assistance (SWIPCO)AtlanticSee programIncome eligible (low-to-moderate income) per IFA/SWIHTF guidelines—
Upper Explorerland RPC First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment AssistanceSee programIncome eligible based on household size and annual gross household income (IFA/HUD limits)—
Washington Neighborhood Homebuyer Loan Program (City of Dubuque)Dubuque · DubuqueSee programLoan amount varies by household size and annual income (income guidelines not published; confirm with City).—
Waterloo Housing Authority Down Payment ProgramWaterloo · Black Hawk80% of area median incomeTotal family income cannot exceed 80% of the median income for the MSA based on family size.—

Questions, answered

What are the income limits for down payment assistance in Iowa?

44 down payment assistance programs in Iowa publish an income limit, a purchase price cap, or both. 26 express the limit as a percentage of the area median income for the county where the home is, and 19 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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