Question 1

What is the MSHDA income limit in Kent County for 2026?

Accepted Answer

For 2026, MSHDA's Kent County household income limits fall in an approximate range of $140,000 to $160,000 for households of one to two people, with higher caps for larger households. The exact figure is published annually by MSHDA based on HUD area median income data and may be revised mid-year. A MSHDA-approved lender in Grand Rapids can confirm the current limit for your specific household size before you spend time touring properties.

Question 2

Does MSHDA count my spouse's income if they're not on the loan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. MSHDA uses total household income, which includes every adult who will occupy the property as their primary residence — even if only one of them is the borrower on the mortgage. In Grand Rapids, this catches a lot of couples off guard when one spouse has strong credit and the other does not. The non-borrowing spouse's income still counts toward the Kent County cap, even though their credit and debts are excluded from the loan underwriting.

Question 3

How does household size change the MSHDA income limit?

Accepted Answer

MSHDA's income limit scales upward as household size increases. The 1–2 person household limit in Kent County is the most commonly cited figure, but a household of four or five people qualifies under a meaningfully higher ceiling. MSHDA defines a household member as anyone who will occupy the home as their primary residence, including children. Larger Grand Rapids families often have more headroom under the program than they expect.

Question 4

What income sources count toward the MSHDA limit?

Accepted Answer

MSHDA counts gross income from W-2 wages, self-employment, bonuses, commissions, overtime, alimony, child support, Social Security, pensions, and recurring investment income. One-time windfalls like signing bonuses or inheritance generally do not count, though documentation requirements vary. For self-employed Grand Rapids buyers, MSHDA looks at the most recent two years of tax returns to establish a stable income figure rather than projecting forward.

Question 5

Are MSHDA income limits the same across all of Michigan?

Accepted Answer

No — MSHDA income limits vary by county based on local area median income. Wayne County, Oakland County, and Kent County each have their own limit tables, and within Michigan, higher-cost counties carry higher caps. For Grand Rapids buyers shopping just across the county line into Ottawa County, the limit may differ slightly. Holden Richardson of 616 Realty regularly compares Kent vs. Ottawa County eligibility for buyers shopping in Hudsonville, Allendale, or Jenison.

Question 6

What's the sales price limit alongside the income limit in Kent County?

Accepted Answer

MSHDA enforces a separate purchase price ceiling in Kent County in addition to the household income limit. The sales price limit is set per program year and varies depending on whether the property is in a targeted or non-targeted area within the county. Both limits must be met simultaneously, so a Grand Rapids buyer who qualifies on income still has to find a property under MSHDA's Kent County price cap to use the program.

Question 7

Can I qualify for MSHDA if I'm self-employed in Grand Rapids?

Accepted Answer

Yes, self-employed buyers can use MSHDA in Kent County, though documentation is more rigorous than for W-2 employees. MSHDA-approved lenders typically require two years of personal and business tax returns, year-to-date profit and loss statements, and bank statements to establish a stable income figure. The lender averages the last two years of net business income to calculate qualifying income, which often surprises self-employed Grand Rapids buyers who think their gross revenue counts.

Question 8

What if my income is just above the MSHDA Kent County limit?

Accepted Answer

Buyers slightly over MSHDA's Kent County household income cap have strong alternatives. Conventional loans with 3% down through Fannie Mae HomeReady or Freddie Mac Home Possible carry higher income limits or none at all. The HoldenGR team also points Grand Rapids buyers toward employer-assisted housing programs, local lender grant programs, and the Grand Rapids Housing Commission's homeownership programs as fallback paths.

Question 9

Do MSHDA income limits change mid-year?

Accepted Answer

MSHDA generally updates income limits once per program year, typically aligned with HUD's annual area median income release in the spring. Mid-year revisions do happen if HUD adjusts its underlying data. For a Kent County buyer mid-process, the income limit in effect when the lender locks the MSHDA reservation is what governs eligibility, not the limit at the time of application. Timing matters when you're close to the cap.

Question 10

Where can I verify the current MSHDA income limit for Kent County?

Accepted Answer

The most reliable source is the MSHDA website itself or any MSHDA-approved lender originating MI Home Loans in Grand Rapids. MSHDA publishes a county-by-county income and sales price limit chart that is updated annually. Holden, a Grand Rapids Realtor®, coordinates with MSHDA-approved lenders before listing tours so buyers know within minutes whether their household income clears the Kent County threshold.

What are the income limits for MSHDA loans in Kent County?

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