HOME Plus Income Limits 2026 (Arizona Guide)
The current HOME Plus income limit is $146,503 statewide for Arizona buyers in 2026, up from prior years. How the limit works and who qualifies.
The current HOME Plus income limit is $146,503 for buyers using FHA, VA, USDA, or the over-80%-of-AMI conventional (HFA) financing tiers, and it applies the same way in every one of Arizona's 15 counties. That figure reflects the program's guidelines as published on homeplusaz.com, the Arizona Industrial Development Authority's official HOME Plus site, retrieved July 2026. The limit was raised in 2026 from the roughly $136,609 that had been in effect since 2024, so if you were told you were "just over" a year or two ago, it is worth checking again.
What Is the HOME Plus Income Limit in 2026?
The short answer: HOME Plus uses one statewide income limit, currently $146,503 for its main financing tiers, rather than a different number for each county. According to the Arizona IDA, that single limit is what most Arizona buyers are measured against when they apply through an approved lender.
Quick answer: As of July 2026, the HOME Plus maximum borrower income is $146,503 on the FHA, VA, USDA, and above-80%-AMI conventional tiers, applied identically across all Arizona counties. Some product tiers and the newest guideline updates reference a higher cap, so confirm your exact figure with an approved lender or the official program page before you rely on it.
How the HOME Plus Income Limit Actually Works
Most down payment assistance programs across the country tie their income ceilings to each county's area median income (AMI), which produces a different dollar figure in every market. HOME Plus is structured differently, and that is one reason it is so widely used in Arizona:
- It is a single statewide number. The same maximum applies whether you are buying in Maricopa County, Pima County, or a rural county like Graham or La Paz.
- It is a household/borrower income limit, not a per-person cap. The program looks at the income used to qualify for the loan.
- It is updated periodically. The Arizona IDA revises the figure over time — the 2026 update moved it up — so the "current" number is the one published at the time you apply.
- A lower conventional tier can vary. For conventional loans where borrower income is under 80% of AMI, the applicable limit can differ by county; your loan officer will confirm which tier you fall into.
Because the number is a ceiling rather than a target, there is no advantage to earning more or less — you simply need your qualifying income to land at or below the current limit for your chosen loan type.
HOME Plus Income Limit: 2024 vs. 2026
| Program tier | Approximate limit (2024) | Current limit (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| FHA / VA / USDA | ~$136,609 | $146,503 |
| Conventional, over 80% AMI (HFA) | ~$136,609 | $146,503 |
| Conventional, under 80% AMI | Varies by county | Varies by county |
Figures reflect HOME Plus guidelines published on homeplusaz.com, retrieved July 2026. The Arizona IDA updates these limits periodically; confirm the current figure before you apply.
Which Income Counts Toward the Limit?
HOME Plus measures the income used to qualify for your first mortgage. In practice that generally means:
- Gross income (before taxes) from the borrowers on the loan
- Wages, regular overtime and bonus income, and self-employment income
- Other stable, documentable income your lender uses to qualify you
Self-employed buyers are often surprised that their qualifying income is lower than their gross revenue, because lenders work from net figures on tax returns. For a fuller breakdown of how different income types are treated, see our guide on what income counts for Arizona DPA.
What If You Are Over the HOME Plus Income Limit?
Being above the HOME Plus ceiling does not necessarily end your search for assistance. A few paths to consider:
- Grant programs with higher income ceilings. Some options, such as the Elevate grant, use a 160%-of-AMI standard with exceptions for teachers, veterans, first responders, medical workers, and civil servants — which can reach buyers who exceed the HOME Plus limit.
- Re-checking your qualifying income. The number that matters is your documented qualifying income, not your gross household total, and only the borrowers on the loan count.
- Comparing programs side by side. Our ranked guide to the best Arizona down payment assistance programs lays out which programs have room above the HOME Plus limit.
HOME Plus vs. County-Based Limits
If you are comparing HOME Plus against Pima County's local programs, note that they use different rules. The Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution and related programs apply their own limits — up to $146,503 on certain above-80%-AMI tiers — and some tiers are household-size based. For a county-by-county view of DPA income thresholds, read our companion guide on Arizona DPA income limits by county, and for how the programs stack up overall, see the Arizona DPA programs overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HOME Plus income limit for 2026?
As of July 2026, the HOME Plus maximum borrower income is $146,503 on the FHA, VA, USDA, and above-80%-of-AMI conventional financing tiers, applied the same in every Arizona county. This reflects guidelines published on homeplusaz.com and was increased in 2026. Some product tiers reference a higher cap, so confirm your exact figure with an approved lender.
Is the HOME Plus income limit different in each county?
No. Unlike many down payment assistance programs, HOME Plus uses a single statewide income limit for its main tiers rather than a separate figure per county. The one exception is the under-80%-of-AMI conventional tier, where the applicable limit can vary by county.
Did the HOME Plus income limit go up in 2026?
Yes. The limit was raised in 2026 from roughly $136,609 — a figure that had been in place since 2024 — to $146,503 on the main tiers. If your income put you just over the limit a year or two ago, you may qualify now.
Does household size change the HOME Plus income limit?
For HOME Plus, the main limit is a borrower/household income ceiling rather than a per-person figure that scales with household size. Some local Pima County programs, by contrast, do use household-size-based limits. Your loan officer will confirm which rules apply to your loan type.
How do I find the current, official HOME Plus income limit?
The authoritative source is the Arizona Industrial Development Authority's HOME Plus site at homeplusaz.com, or an approved HOME Plus lender who can confirm the figure that applies to your loan type and situation. Because the limit is updated periodically, always verify it at the time you apply rather than relying on an older number.
Does overtime or self-employment income count toward the limit?
Yes. Regular overtime and self-employment income are generally counted as part of qualifying income. Self-employed buyers should expect their qualifying income to be based on net figures from tax returns, which is often lower than gross revenue.
Check Where You Stand
Not sure whether your income fits under the current HOME Plus limit? Take our 60-second eligibility quiz or reach out and we will run your specific numbers:
- Tanner Cook: (480) 420-4918 | NMLS #2090424
- Zac Cook: (480) 406-2016 | NMLS #2111496
Cornerstone First Mortgage, NMLS #173855. Equal Housing Lender. Program terms and income limits are set by the program administrators and are subject to change; this article is educational and not a commitment to lend.
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