Federal Housing Administration loans, commonly known as FHA loans, are designed to assist a wide range of individuals in achieving homeownership. Generally, eligible borrowers include first-time homebuyers and those who may have lower credit scores or limited cash for a down payment. FHA loans allow for a credit score as low as 580 for those who can provide a three and a half percent down payment. Borrowers with credit scores between 500 and 579 may still qualify if they can make a ten percent down payment. Additionally, FHA loans have specific debt-to-income ratio requirements, which are typically more flexible than conventional loans. To ensure that one meets the necessary criteria for an FHA loan, it is advisable to review the guidelines available on the FHFA website, which provides comprehensive information about eligibility and other loan features.