Idaho Down Payment Assistance Eligibility (2026)
Idaho's requirements are reachable: income under IHFA's product limit, a $500 minimum contribution, and Finally Home! education. IHFA even allows buyers with no credit score. Here is what qualifies you.
Who qualifies for Idaho down payment assistance
The gates are more reachable than many buyers expect. Your household income needs to be under IHFA’s limit for your product, which reaches about $170,000 for some, so a wide range of Idaho households fit. You bring at least $500 of your own funds into the deal. You complete Finally Home! homebuyer education, an online course, one certificate per loan. And the home must be one you will live in. Because the limits vary by product and change, we confirm your current figures with IHFA before you shop.
Credit, including no score
This is where Idaho stands out. IHFA allows borrowers without a credit score to qualify through manual underwriting, using alternative records, rent, utilities, insurance, to judge reliability. For scored borrowers, the minimum follows the loan type and IHFA’s guidelines rather than a single number. So whether you have a strong score, a thin file, or no score at all, it is worth checking, don’t assume you are shut out. See our no-credit-score page.
Idaho Housing income & price limits by county (2026)
IHFA sets its limits by product. The standard First Loan programs use a single statewide income limit of $170,000, so most Idaho households qualify. The tax-exempt bond program (a lower rate for first-time buyers) uses tighter, county-based income and sales-price limits, shown below and effective May 6, 2026, from Idaho Housing. Income counts the whole household.
| County (tax-exempt bond program) | 1-2 persons | 3+ persons | Sales price limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ada (Boise) | $110,700 | $127,305 | $613,662 |
| Canyon (Nampa, Caldwell) | $132,840 | $154,980 | $750,031 |
| Kootenai (Coeur d'Alene) | $124,200 | $144,900 | $732,383 |
| Bonneville (Idaho Falls) & Bannock (Pocatello) | $101,600 | $116,840 | $566,354 |
| Twin Falls | $102,294 | $117,639 | $566,354 |
| Latah (Moscow) | $102,554 | $117,938 | $566,354 |
| Blaine (Sun Valley) | $130,200 | $151,900 | $794,151 |
| Teton | $143,160 | $167,020 | $794,151 |
| Valley (McCall) | $116,474 | $133,945 | $643,743 |
| Most other targeted counties | $121,920 | $142,240 | $692,211 |
| Most other non-targeted counties | $103,734 | $119,295 | $566,354 |
Source: Idaho Housing and Finance Association, First Loan income and sales-price limits (bond limits effective May 6, 2026; the $170,000 standard limit effective Sept 3, 2024). The assistance is a repayable second mortgage, so we also check that the combined payment fits. Verify your county's current figure with us before you shop. See the program overview for the full picture.
Common questions
What are the 2026 Idaho Housing (IHFA) income limits?
IHFA sets limits by product. The standard First Loan programs use a single statewide income limit of $170,000, so most Idaho households qualify. The tax-exempt bond program uses lower, county-based limits, effective May 6, 2026: for example $110,700 for 1-2 people and $127,305 for 3 or more in Ada County (Boise), and $132,840 / $154,980 in Canyon County. Sales-price limits run from about $566,000 to $794,000 by county. We confirm your county's current figure before you shop.
What credit score do I need for Idaho down payment assistance?
IHFA allows borrowers without a credit score to qualify through manual underwriting, using rent and bill history instead. For scored borrowers, the minimum follows the loan type and IHFA's guidelines. We confirm the current requirements with IHFA for your situation.
What do I need to qualify for Idaho down payment assistance?
Income under IHFA's product limit (up to about $170,000 for some), at least $500 of your own funds, and Finally Home! homebuyer education. The home must be your primary residence, and the assistance pairs with an IHFA first mortgage.
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