Down payment assistance income limits in Vermont
15 down payment assistance programs in Vermont 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 Vermont 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Addison | 2026 | $115,200 |
| Bennington | 2026 | $106,700 |
| Caledonia | 2026 | $96,600 |
| Chittenden | 2026 | $123,400 |
| Essex | 2026 | $74,100 |
| Franklin | 2026 | $123,400 |
| Grand Isle | 2026 | $123,400 |
| Lamoille | 2026 | $97,900 |
| Orange | 2026 | $105,500 |
| Orleans | 2026 | $95,400 |
| Rutland | 2026 | $98,500 |
| Washington | 2026 | $114,000 |
| Windham | 2026 | $95,700 |
| Windsor | 2026 | $109,400 |
Published limits by program
| Program | Income limit | Price cap |
|---|---|---|
| ADVANTAGEStatewide | $180,000Advantage limits (all VT counties, as of 7/14/2025): $150,000 for 1-2 persons; $180,000 for 3+ persons. | $550,000 |
| ASSIST Down Payment AssistanceStatewide · Statewide | $145,000VHFA combined income limits (combined household income, all occupants 18+): non-targeted approximately $110,000 (1-2 person) up to $130,000-$145,000 in higher-cost / targeted counties (Chittenden and other federally targeted census tracts) for 3+ person households. Verify by county and household size on VHFA limits sheet. | $500,000 |
| Down Payment Assistance LoanMultiple · Multiple | See programIncome limits vary by funding source: HOME funds capped at 80% AMI; NeighborWorks America and state-appropriated funds may go up to 120% AMI; AHP grants typically 80% AMI. Limits set county-by-county per HUD AMI tables (Rutland, Bennington, Addison, Windsor, Windham). NWWVT counselor confirms applicable limit at intake. | — |
| Downstreet Shared Equity Program Down Payment Assistance GrantBarre · Washington | 120% of area median incomeHousehold income at or below 120% of Area Median Income (AMI); HUD income limits are set annually and applied by household size and county. | — |
| Equity Builder Program (EBP)Statewide | 80% of area median incomeHousehold income no more than 80% of area median income | — |
| First Generation Homebuyer ProgramStatewide · Statewide | $180,000VHFA First Generation Homebuyer income limits (combined household income, all occupants 18+): elevated above baseline ASSIST limits to address wealth-gap focus. Range approximately $110,000 (1-2 person, lower-cost county) up to approximately $180,000 (3+ person, higher-cost / targeted county including Chittenden). Verify by county and household size on VHFA First Gen limits sheet. | $550,000 |
| Homeownership Equity Program (HEP) Down Payment AssistanceBurlington · Statewide | 100% of area median incomeHousehold income at or below 100% of area median income | — |
| Housing Our Workforce (HOW)Statewide | 120% of area median incomeHousehold income above 80% and up to 120% of area median income | — |
| Lift Up HomeownershipStatewide | 120% of area median incomeHousehold income no more than 120% of area median income; max asset cap of $150,000 (deposits + cash to close) | — |
| Manufactured Housing Down Payment LoanBurlington · Statewide | See programGross household income below county-specific 2026 limits. 4-person examples: Chittenden/Franklin/Grand Isle $149,640; Washington $136,800; Addison $138,240; Bennington $128,040; Orange $126,600; Caledonia/Essex/Lamoille/Orleans/Rutland/Windham $125,640; Windsor $131,280. Full 1-8 person table by county on program page. | — |
| Mortgage Credit Certificate (Standalone)Statewide | See programStandalone MCC limits (as of 7/14/2025): Addison/Bennington/Windsor $110,000 (1-2), $130,000 (3+); most counties $120,000 (1-2), $140,000 (3+); Washington $125,000 (1-2), $145,000 (3+). | $500,000 |
| MOVEStatewide | See programMOVE/MOVE MCC limits (as of 7/14/2025): Addison/Bennington/Windsor $110,000 (1-2 persons), $130,000 (3+); Caledonia/Chittenden/Essex/Franklin/Grand Isle/Lamoille/Orange/Orleans/Rutland/Windham $120,000 (1-2), $140,000 (3+); Washington $125,000 (1-2), $145,000 (3+). | $500,000 |
| MOVE MCCStatewide | See programMOVE/MOVE MCC limits (as of 7/14/2025): Addison/Bennington/Windsor $110,000 (1-2), $130,000 (3+); most counties $120,000 (1-2), $140,000 (3+); Washington $125,000 (1-2), $145,000 (3+). | $500,000 |
| Shared Equity ProgramMultiple · Multiple | 120% of area median incomeIncome limits up to approximately 120% AMI per HUD income tables for the applicable Vermont county and household size. Range: approximately $86,000 (1-person, lower-cost county) to $162,200 (8-person household, higher-cost county). NWWVT verifies at application using prior-year tax returns and current pay documentation. | $426,000 |
| USDA Single Family Housing Direct Home Loan (Section 502 Direct)Concord, NH (serving VT) · Statewide (eligible rural areas) | See programAdjusted income at or below the applicable low-income limit for the area (see VT 502 Direct income limits PDF). Subsidy amount based on adjusted family income. | — |
Questions, answered
What are the income limits for down payment assistance in Vermont?
15 down payment assistance programs in Vermont publish an income limit, a purchase price cap, or both. 6 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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