The maximum mortgage amounts that can be insured by the Federal Housing Administration are rising as of 2009, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said.

"These new limits should insure that FHA remains competitive in the market and responsive to consumers who want to stay away from risky mortgages," HUD Regional Director John Meyers said.

The new ceilings are:

• For Anchorage and Mat-Su: $290,950 for one-unit, single-family houses, up from $200,160. For two-unit houses: $347,000, up from $256,248. For three-unit houses: $450,200, up from $360,750. For four-unit houses: $559,500, up from $416,250.

• For the Fairbanks area: $271,050 for a one-unit house, up from $240,350. For two-unit houses: $347,000, up from $270,710. For a three-unit house: $419,400, up from $328,900. For a four-unit house: $521,250, up from $384,936.

• For the Juneau area: $349,600 for a one-unit house, up from $303,050. For two-unit houses: $447,550, up from $341,330. For a three-unit house: $540,950, up from $414,700. For a four-unit house: $672,300, up from $478,500.

• For most other Alaska markets: $271,050 for one-unit, single-family houses, up from $200,160. For a two-unit house: $347,000, up from $256,248. For a three-unit house: $419,400, up from $309,744. For a four-unit house: $521,250, up from $384,936.

HUD does have specific maximums besides those listed above for Kodiak Island, the Aleutians West area, the North Slope, Sitka and Ketchikan.

HUD typically sets the loan limits at 115 percent of the median house price in a given area, the agency said.

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