Pathway to Purchase Arizona — eligible ZIP codes and qualifying cities in 2026
Pathway to Purchase was one of Arizona's most generous down payment assistance programs, funded by the U.S. Treasury through the Hardest-Hit Fund and administered by the Arizona Department of Housing. It provided a second-mortgage to cover down payment and closing costs in 17 designated cities. It is currently suspended (see the notice above). Here is how it worked, who qualified, and the statewide options that can help in its place — compare them on our loan programs page.
Cities that were eligible
Pathway to Purchase was limited to 17 designated Arizona cities. It was never a statewide program, and it covered cities, not individual ZIP codes. While funded, these were the eligible cities:
| Eligible cities (17 total) |
|---|
| Arizona City, Avondale, Buckeye, Casa Grande, Coolidge, Douglas, El Mirage, Fort Mohave, Goodyear, Huachuca City, Laveen, Maricopa, Red Rock, Sierra Vista, Snowflake, Tucson, Yuma |
Note: Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Glendale were not in the Pathway to Purchase footprint. Buyers in those cities used Home Plus (statewide) or Home in Five (Maricopa County) instead.
How Pathway to Purchase worked
Pathway to Purchase was a down payment and closing-cost second mortgage that layered behind a Fannie Mae HFA Preferred first mortgage (a variation of Fannie Mae's HomeReady). It was for owner-occupied primary residences only — existing single-family homes, townhomes, or condos. New construction was not allowed.
Who qualified — income and purchase price limits
While the program was funded, the core borrower requirements were:
| Requirement | Limit |
|---|---|
| Maximum borrower income | $92,984 |
| Maximum purchase price | $371,936 |
| Maximum loan-to-value (first mortgage) | 95% |
| Minimum credit score | 640 |
| Maximum debt-to-income ratio | 45% |
| First mortgage type | Fannie Mae HFA Preferred only |
| Property type | Existing single-family, townhome, or condo (no new construction) |
| Occupancy | Owner-occupied primary residence only |
Mortgage insurance followed charter minimums: 12% MI on loan-to-value of 90% or less, and 16% on 90.01%–95%, with borrower-paid monthly, single, and split-premium options. All buyers had to complete a pre-purchase homebuyer education course through a HUD-approved provider (online, by phone, or in person).
What to use instead while Pathway is suspended
- Statewide Home Plus — up to 5% down payment assistance in every Arizona county.
- Home in Five — up to 6.5% in Maricopa County.
- City-specific programs (for example City of Tucson or City of Yuma) where they fit your address.
- National options like Chenoa Fund when an income or property limit rules out the state programs.
Official program contacts
Pathway to Purchase was administered by the Arizona Department of Housing (dba SaveOurHomeAZ). Program information is posted at azhousing.gov. If it is refunded, you would again apply through an ADOH-approved participating lender — that is the role we fill.
Common questions
Do you have to pay back down payment assistance in Arizona?
Usually no. Arizona's main programs use a forgivable or deferred soft second with no monthly payment, so you do not pay it back as long as you keep the home. Home Plus and Home in Five both work this way. Some second liens are repayable instead, so always confirm the exact lien terms before you sign your closing documents.
How much down payment assistance can I get in Arizona?
Home Plus gives up to 4%, plus an extra 1% for Active Duty members and Veterans, for up to 5% statewide. Home in Five, in Maricopa County only, gives up to 5%, plus 1% for teachers, first responders, and military, plus a 0.5% boost, for up to 6.5%. The percentage applies to your total loan amount.
What credit score do I need for Arizona down payment assistance?
You need a 620 minimum credit score for Home Plus and 640 for Home in Five. FHA financing on its own allows scores down to 580, and each DPA program sets its own minimum. If your score is close, we can map out what it takes to reach your program's floor before you apply.
What are the income limits for Arizona DPA?
Home Plus caps borrower income at $155,386, or $146,503 when paired with FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional HFA financing. Home in Five caps total household income at $157,360 as of June 10, 2026. Check the current numbers on our DPA figures page, since these limits update through the year.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer to get DPA?
No, not for Home Plus or Home in Five. Both allow repeat buyers, so you can use them even if you have owned before. A handful of programs do require first-time status, which means you have not owned a home in the past 3 years. Pathway and city programs are stricter, so ask which rule applies to you.
Does down payment assistance work with FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional loans?
Yes, all four. Arizona DPA layers on top of FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional first mortgages. Home Plus and Home in Five both pair with each of these loan types, and both are VA eligible, which helps Veterans whose closing costs run past seller concession limits. We match the DPA program to whichever first mortgage fits your scenario best.
Is down payment assistance always the right move?
No. DPA can carry slightly higher first-mortgage pricing, so if you already have savings for the down payment, paying it yourself may cost less over time. Mike runs both options side by side and tells you straight which one wins for your numbers. The right answer depends on how long you plan to stay in the home.
Is Pathway to Purchase available right now?
No. Pathway to Purchase is suspended and out of funds as of June 22, 2026, so it is not accepting new applications. It was a legacy program funded through the federal Hardest-Hit Fund, and that allocation has been exhausted. For Veterans and everyone else, statewide Home Plus pairs with VA, FHA, USDA, and conventional loans today and adds an extra 1% in assistance for Active Duty members and Veterans.
How Mike + Cornerstone help
We check ZIP eligibility for Pathway in real time during pre-approval. If your address fits, we structure the offer around using Pathway from day one. If it doesn't, we pivot to whichever program does, like statewide Home Plus, Maricopa County's Home in Five, or Chenoa, without slowing down your timeline. You can confirm the current numbers on our DPA figures page.
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