The income limit
Your household must earn at or under 100% of Area Median Income for your size when you buy. The 2026 Portland limits run from $97,370 (1 person) to $161,356 (6 people) at 100% AMI; Phase 3 also has homes for households at or under 80% AMI ($74,800 to $123,900). Income is checked only once — at purchase. If you earn more later, you keep your home with no change.
Whose income counts
For a 3-bedroom (or any 3+ person household), everyone’s income is counted — even members not on the mortgage — because these units received AHOP funding. For a 1-bedroom, only the income of the person(s) on the deed and mortgage counts; a non-mortgage partner’s income counts only if they contribute a fixed amount to household expenses.
Household-size rules
A 1-bedroom is for 1–2 people; a 3-bedroom is for 3–6 people. Household size is set at closing based on who considers the unit their primary residence. A pregnant person counts as two; children must live with you 50%+ of the time (with proof) to count.
The other rules
- You can’t own another home you could live in (a seasonal or partial property is okay, or sell your current one).
- You can’t rent the unit out — a housemate who contributes to expenses is fine.
- Homes are price-restricted forever: resale price can only rise as Area Median Income rises, and only to another income-qualified buyer. The City of Portland calculates the allowed resale price.