Arizona Is Home: down payment assistance, sorted by where you buy
See all current Arizona DPA figures →
✓ Program guidelines current as of July 1, 2026 — we re-verify at each Arizona authority revision. See what changed July 1, 2026 →
Here is the part that confuses almost everyone: "Arizona Is Home" is not one program. It is a name used by three different Arizona housing authorities, each covering a different part of the state — and they do not overlap. So you do not really choose Arizona Is Home. You qualify for the one version that matches the county you are buying in.
Which version applies to you? Start with your county
- Buying in Maricopa County (Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Chandler, Glendale, the whole metro)? Your Arizona Is Home help comes through Home in Five.
- Buying in Pima County, including Tucson? Your version comes through the Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution.
- Buying anywhere else in Arizona (Flagstaff, Prescott, Lake Havasu, Sierra Vista, Yuma, Show Low, and the rest of the state)? You use the statewide Home Plus version (run by the Arizona IDA). It deliberately excludes Maricopa, Pima, and Chino Valley, because those two metros are covered by the programs above.
The three versions side by side
This is the single source of truth for how the three differ. Each program page links back here rather than restating numbers, so nothing falls out of sync.
| Home Plus Arizona IDA program |
Maricopa County via Home in Five |
Pima County + Tucson via Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it applies | Statewide, with exceptions — all Arizona except Maricopa, Pima & Chino Valley | Maricopa County only | Pima County, including Tucson |
| Assistance amount | 4% of the first mortgage | Tiered (3–6%), +1% for teachers, first responders, military & Veterans | $15,000 flat |
| Forgivable or repaid? | Non-forgivable — full balance due on sale or refinance | Forgivable over time (the Arizona Is Home option uses the 7-year forgivable second) | Forgivable over 30 years |
| Income limit | 100% of county AMI (e.g. Coconino $106,000, Pinal $112,400, Yavapai $92,200) — raised 7/1/26 | $131,520 on the 7-year / Arizona Is Home option (120% AMI) | ≤120% AMI (about $146,503 max — verify current) |
| Max purchase price | $481,176 | No purchase-price limit | No purchase-price limit (follow agency loan limits) |
| Minimum credit score | 620 | 640 | 640 |
| Maximum DTI | Per AUS (no program overlay) | 45% | 45% (up to 50% with a 680+ score) |
| Eligible loan types | FHA, VA, USDA, conventional HFA, HUD 184 | FHA, VA, conventional (no USDA) | FHA, VA, USDA, conventional |
| First-time buyer? | Yes (Veterans & targeted areas exempt) | Required on the Arizona Is Home / 7-year option (+ 6-mo AZ residency) | Required (+ 6-mo AZ residency) |
Sources & dates: Home Plus and Arizona Is Home — Arizona IDA guidelines revised July 1, 2026. Home in Five Advantage — program description Aug 2025. Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution — Pima IDA, income limits doc 06-15-26. Programs are annually funded and limits change through the year — confirm before relying on them.
Home Plus version (Arizona IDA)
If you are buying outside the two metro counties, this is your version — the Home Plus version, run by the Arizona Industrial Development Authority. It gives 4% of the first mortgage as a non-forgivable deferred second lien — no monthly payment, but the full balance comes due when you sell or refinance (this changed for 2026; earlier years used a 5-year forgiveness). It works with FHA, VA, USDA-RD, conventional HFA, and HUD 184 loans, needs a 620 score, has no DTI overlay beyond the automated findings, and caps the purchase price at $481,176. Income must be at or below 100% of your county's area median income.
It is statewide, with exceptions: it covers all of Arizona except Maricopa, Pima, and Chino Valley. A useful quirk: the city of Maricopa is in Pinal County, not Maricopa County, so Maricopa city buyers use this Home Plus version. Major eligible areas include Flagstaff and Coconino County, the Prescott/Prescott Valley/Cottonwood corridor in Yavapai, Lake Havasu City, Kingman and Bullhead City in Mohave, the White Mountains (Show Low, Pinetop), Sierra Vista and the Cochise border region, Casa Grande and the rest of Pinal, and Yuma.
Why this pairs well with USDA: much of Arizona outside the metro areas is USDA-eligible, where the first mortgage covers 100% of the price. Layering this DPA on top can cover closing costs and prepaids, which is the cash most of these buyers actually need help with.
Maricopa County version (via Home in Five)
In Maricopa County the Arizona IDA program does not apply — instead, "AZ is Home" is folded into Home in Five. The assistance is forgivable (the Arizona Is Home option uses Home in Five's 7-year forgivable second), needs a 640 score, allows up to 45% DTI, has no purchase-price limit, and works with FHA, VA, and conventional loans (not USDA). The Arizona Is Home / 7-year option requires first-time-buyer status, a 6-month Arizona residency, and caps income at $131,520. See the Home in Five page for the full program and its higher assistance tiers.
Pima County + Tucson version (via Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution)
In Pima County, including the City of Tucson, the Arizona Is Home version is delivered through the Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution. It is a $15,000 flat assistance amount as a 30-year forgivable second lien — no payment, no interest. It requires first-time-buyer status plus a 6-month Arizona residency, needs a 640 score (45% DTI, up to 50% with a 680+ score), works with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans, and limits income to roughly 120% of AMI. See the Pima Tucson page for the broader program, which also offers tiered 2–5% options without the first-time requirement.
What to do next
Tell Mike the county (or city) you are buying in, and he will tell you which Arizona Is Home version applies and whether it beats the alternatives for your numbers. Limits and funding change through the year, so he confirms the current figures before you write an offer.
For other Arizona DPA options, see all programs, Home Plus, Home in Five, or Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution. Questions? Contact Mike directly.
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Arizona Is Home DPA — Frequently Asked Questions
What counties does Arizona Is Home cover?
All of Arizona — but through three different programs depending on where you buy. The statewide Arizona IDA version covers every county except Maricopa, Pima, and Chino Valley. Maricopa County buyers get Arizona Is Home through Home in Five, and Pima County and Tucson buyers get it through the Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution. Only one applies to you, based on your county.
Is the Arizona Is Home DPA forgivable?
It depends which version. The statewide Home Plus version is non-forgivable — the full balance is repaid when you sell or refinance, with no forgiveness during the term. The Maricopa County version (through Home in Five) and the Pima/Tucson version are forgivable over time. Confirm which version applies to your county before assuming.
What loan types can be used with Arizona Is Home?
Arizona Is Home is compatible with FHA, VA, USDA-RD, and conventional first mortgages. USDA-RD combined with Arizona Is Home is particularly powerful for Arizona buyers because USDA offers 100% financing on the first mortgage while Arizona Is Home can cover closing costs.
Can I use Arizona Is Home with another DPA program at the same time?
No. DPA programs do not stack. You select one DPA program per transaction. Arizona Is Home cannot be layered with Home Plus, Chenoa Fund, or any other down payment assistance program on the same loan. Your lender will help you determine which single program gives you the best outcome for your specific situation.
What is the difference between Arizona Is Home and Home Plus?
Both are Arizona DPA programs but they serve different geographies. Home Plus is available statewide across all Arizona counties, including Maricopa and Pima. Arizona Is Home specifically serves the parts of Arizona outside the Phoenix and Tucson metros. If you're in a covered Arizona Is Home county, you may qualify for either — Mike can compare the specifics for your file.
What happens to the Arizona Is Home DPA when I sell my home?
When you sell, refinance, or stop occupying the home as your primary residence, the deferred second lien becomes due and payable. The DPA amount plus any applicable interest is repaid from the proceeds of the exit event. Because it is non-forgivable, the full amount is owed regardless of how long you lived in the home.
Does Pima County have access to any Arizona Is Home DPA?
Yes. Pima County, including Tucson, has its own Arizona Is Home version delivered through the Pima Tucson Homebuyer's Solution — a $15,000 forgivable second. It runs through a different authority than the statewide Home Plus version but carries the Arizona Is Home name. Mike confirms which version fits your county.
What credit score do I need for Arizona Is Home?
It depends on the version. The Home Plus version (Arizona IDA) sets the floor at 620. The Maricopa (Home in Five) and Pima/Tucson versions require 640. FHA on its own allows scores as low as 580, and each version sets its own minimum. If your score is close, Mike can review where you stand and which version fits.
How much down payment assistance can I get, and what are the income limits?
Statewide, Home Plus offers up to 4% plus an extra 1% for Active Duty and Veterans, so up to 5% total, with borrower income up to $155,386 ($146,503 on FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional HFA loans). In Maricopa County, Home in Five offers up to 6.5% with household income up to $157,360. the Home Plus version of Arizona Is Home serves the rest of the state; Mike confirms your county's current limits.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer to use Arizona DPA?
No, you do not have to be a first-time buyer for Home Plus or Home in Five. Both allow repeat buyers. When a program does use "first-time," it means you have not owned a home in the last 3 years, so prior owners often still qualify. Arizona Is Home rules vary by county, so confirm your situation with Mike before you assume you're excluded.
Do I need a homebuyer education course?
Yes, most Arizona DPA programs require a homebuyer education course before closing. The course usually runs about 4 to 8 hours, is available online, and is often free or runs $50 to $100. It walks you through budgeting, the loan process, and homeownership costs. Mike points you to an approved course early so it never holds up your closing date.